Lactation Consultant

Stanford Medicine Children's Health • Palo Alto, CA

3d • $81 - $91 • Onsite

About The Position

The Lactation Consultant works in the inpatient setting and collaborates with multidisciplinary health care teams and other primary care providers to support optimal clinical lactation management. The role protects, promotes, and supports breastfeeding through education, counseling, and clinical management, with breastfeeding presented as the expected norm for infant nutrition. The consultant incorporates research findings and best practices to respond to societal needs related to breastfeeding and lactation management.

The position assesses breastfeeding dyads, develops individualized plans of care, obtains breastfeeding histories, and provides education and counseling for clients, families, health care team members, and the community. It also supports staff development and provides emotional support for continued breastfeeding in difficult or complicated circumstances. The role requires compliance with hospital policies, procedures, safety and quality programs, and applicable Joint Commission requirements.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One year of clinical lactation experience.
• International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), or Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) with a requirement to obtain IBCLC within two years.
• RQI Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support or Basic Life Support certification by the American Heart Association (AHA).
• Ability to adjust communication to the receiver’s needs and level of understanding.
• Ability to integrate observation, knowledge, and skills when assessing mothers and children and developing individualized breastfeeding management strategies.
• Ability to provide leadership and influence others.
• Knowledge of computer systems and software used in the functional area.

Responsibilities

• Analyze assessment data and develop a plan of care tailored to the dyad’s needs and acceptable to the client.
• Evaluate assessment data and develop a plan of care tailored to the client’s needs within the scope of the Preventative Management Guidelines.
• Obtain an appropriate breastfeeding history for the mother and child.
• Plan, develop, coordinate, and provide breastfeeding education and counseling in response to the needs of clients, families, health care team members, and the community.
• Provide education and guidance to staff who care for breastfeeding dyads to develop and enhance their clinical skills.
• Provide emotional support for continued breastfeeding in difficult or complicated circumstances.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary health care teams and other primary care providers to promote effective lactation management.
• Follow hospital policies and procedures, Service Standards, Code of Conduct, and applicable Joint Commission requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED