Lactation Specialist (NICU)

Arkansas Children's Hospital Northwest•Little Rock, AR

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This position functions independently in a staff role as an expert practitioner, consultant, educator, and researcher within the lactation specialty. The individual possesses a high degree of knowledge, skill, and competence in providing direct care to the patient, family, or community, and indirectly through guidance of care by other personnel. This is a part-time position within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Requirements

Associate's degree or 2 years of relevant experience
Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC) - The Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice: TALPP.org
Registered Nurse (RN) license - Arkansas or Compact State

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's Degree
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) - International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners

Responsibilities

Provides comprehensive assessment of the mother/infant dyad and the breastfeeding/lactation process.
Assesses the lactation status of the mother/infant dyad.
Communicates assessments with the appropriate medical personnel through verbal reports and documentation in the patient's record.
Assesses education needs of mothers.
Participates in the identification of mothers within the system who need assistance and/or breastfeeding education.
Develops a plan of care with nursing, nutrition, and medical staff for the mother/infant dyad, implements direct and indirect specialized patient care, and evaluates the response to the treatment plan.
Participates actively with the interdisciplinary team on rounds, discharge planning, and Lactation Rounds.
Develops patient teaching plans on lactation and related issues.
Assists mothers who have problems breastfeeding.
Provides education for mothers as needed on collecting, labeling, storing, transporting, and delivering expressed breast milk while their infants are in the hospital and when at home.
Monitors progress of the breastfeeding mother/infant dyad and revises treatment plan as needed in collaboration with the medical team.
Participates in the quality improvement plan for the lactation service.
Assists the director with developing and maintaining policies and procedures for the Lactation Service.
Assists the director with the development of the quality improvement (QI) plan for the Lactation Service.
Collaborates with the Nutritional Services Director, Dieticians, and lactation technicians.
Identifies issues, communicates, and collaborates effectively with other team members to find resolution.
Serves as an educational resource and participates in research activities while maintaining own level of clinical competency.
Contributes to the lactation learning needs of the nursing staff, medical residents, house staff, and other hospital personnel as needed.
Contributes to the breastfeeding education of the community as needed.
Initiates and/or assists in research projects specific to lactation.
Participates in lactation continuing education activities for own professional growth.
Participates in at least 12 inservice education activities per year.