Lactation Consultant

Summary

SUMMARY : Under general direction, provides assessment, intervention, and planning in Lactation Services to

patients receiving care within the Maternal Child Health Service Line. Performs related duties as required.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS; NOTE : The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.

However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Not all duties listed are necessarily performed

by each individual in the classification.

1. Assists in the general operations of the MCH units; performs some secretarial duties, such as scheduling, filing, answering the phone and other duties as assigned;

Lactation Consulting Office appointments for outpatients.

2. Develops assessment of breast-feeding infants and lactating mothers; coordinate appointment times to maximize productivity.

Includes patient participation in recommended revisions of care plan, follow-up, and any changes necessary in the course of care;

contributes to case and chart review; informs clients of available referral services and provides patient with written materials.

3. Maintain and stock lactation rooms and storage areas; have thorough understanding of paperwork requirements for the various types of visits';

participates in the monitoring and evaluation of the services; assures breast pumps are cleaned and safe for use before loans.

4. Offers orientation to clients about services available; greets patients and support persons in a prompt, professional, and courteous manner;

discuss the coordination of services with the primary medical care provider; sends copies of individualized feeding plan to patient's medical care provider.

5. Participates in Baby-Friendly Committee meetings and staff training toward that end.

6. Partners with community resources and initiates referral process appropriate to needs of patient; participates in development of Lactation Consulting Services and breastfeeding stations within the community;

participates in community outreach; Knowing how to serve as an ambassador of the organization by promoting and supporting

positive public perceptions of the services provided.

7. Periodically consults Breastfeeding Log for new referrals and follow-ups; checks Breastfeeding Warmline messages daily and handles referrals appropriately.

8. Promotes services of the Hospital to visitors, potential patients, and the community at large; attends Maternal Child Health (MCH) meetings and other programs / meetings pertinent to perinatal concerns as requested.

9. Researches and develops those resources needed for patients on an individual basis; participates in the development of the individual plan of care.

10. Reviews with the charge nurse or designee the medical, psycho-social, health education, and nutrition data for clients' individual care plan.

11. Seeks consultation with nursing staff regarding concerns related to high risk situations; provides interventions as recommended in the plan of care;

discusses with the patient the outcome objectives, methods, time frames, and referrals needed in intervention plan; utilizes resources of the unit or community in intervention process.

12. Serves as Lactation Consultant throughout medical center as needed; works with the nursing staff on assessments to maximize data needed for proper care plan development and intervention.

13. Utilizes appropriate protocols and documents data appropriately on nursing and lactation forms; develops & updates billing process for services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Education : Bachelor's degree preferred. Related experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis for education requirement.

Additional coursework in prenatal education or certification as a Childbirth Educator, preferred.

Minimum Experience : Two to three years providing perinatal health education in an acute care, community, or public health setting is desired.

Outpatient pediatric experience ispreferred.

RequiredLicenses / Certifications : IncumbentsareexpectedtoqualifyforandobtaintheInternationalBoardCertified Lactation Consultant certification (IBCLC) within 6 months ofhire;

BLS Basic Life Support Certification issued by the American Heart Association.