Lactation Specialist - Casual

JOB DETAILS

Department: Lactation Services
FTE: Casual
Workdays: varied including some weekends
Shift(s): Days
Shift Length: 8 hours
Location: In-Person

Purpose of this position: The Lactation Specialist is a professional who provides education and guidance for staff and families on the basics of breastfeeding. Additional responsibilities include educating patients who plan to breastfeed, monitoring of all infants at risk for delayed breast feeding, documentation of breastfeeding assessment and progress in the patient record. Other responsibilities include staff education, departmental policy and procedure development and evaluation, and participation in continuing education activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supports the autonomy of the lactating mother/parent by:

• Respecting the client’s right to make choices that are right for their situation
• Assisting and supporting the mother/parent in identifying and meeting their goals for lactation

Educates families by:

• Educating and supporting families during pregnancy and the perinatal period through weaning
• Teaching breastfeeding families in the classroom setting, in individual consultations, and in breastfeeding support groups

Supports families by:

• Conducting an assessment of both mother/parent and infant and devising a plan of care in uncomplicated breastfeeding situations
• Instructing and coaching mothers/parents in optimal feeding positions, latch, frequency, and duration of feedings, and parameters for infant output
• Assessing effective feeding and milk transfer in uncomplicated breastfeeding situations
• Providing anticipatory guidance
• Problem solving issues that do not commonly precede adverse outcomes
• Instructing parents of preterm or late preterm infants in establishing and maintaining a human milk supply
• Counseling employed breastfeeding mothers/parents regarding selection of a breast pump and maintaining milk supply and breastmilk storage
• Documenting the results of consultations in the appropriate client record

Refers and collaborates by:

• Referring clients to local resources as needed
• Working collaboratively within the health care team and refers clients to the appropriate health care provider (IBCLC, physician, or other practitioner) for assessment and treatment

Working as part of a team to remove barriers for breastfeeding success and advocate for families by:

• Advocating for human milk for human babies
• Assisting in policy creation to support breastfeeding and chestfeeding families
• Identifies and advocates for aspects of breastfeeding management programs that facilitate successful breastfeeding
• Advocating for breastfeeding families within the health care system
• Maintaining compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes
• Must work under the supervision of an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) until IBCLC Certification is received
• Collaborates with patient, RN and other members of the healthcare team to adhere to the patient’s plan of care

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completed Pathway 1, 2, or 3 internship and submitted request to take International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) required

-OR-

• An approved equivalent combination of education and experience
• Must successfully pass International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) exam within 7 months of exam submission deadline

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate’s Degree or Bachelor's Degree in a related field
• One year of Women and Infant Health Clinical Experience
• Licensure in Nursing

Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities:

• Demonstrates integrity by accepting responsibility for own actions/behaviors
• Consistently provides high quality care as demonstrated through patient outcomes
• Demonstrates knowledge of and adheres to patient rights
• Role models best practices by following unit guidelines, policies and procedures
• Demonstrates knowledge and technical skills to perform all duties required to care for patients
• Recognizes knowledge, skill, and/or technical limits and seeks assistance
• Utilizing shared decision-making principles