Lactation Counselor

Department: Alex Clinic Admin and Finance

Position Objective:

The Lactation Counselor (CLC) provides breastfeeding support and management to families who are thinking about breastfeeding or who have questions or problems during the course of breastfeeding/lactation. They work collaboratively with Labor and Delivery Nurses, OB/GYN Physicians, Midwives, Pediatricians and Family Practice Physicians and Providers to develop feeding plans for a range of infants. They make clinical assessments and use current lactation theories and research to develop evidence-based feeding plans that address individual feeding issues while respecting the providers’ and mother’s breastfeeding goals.

Essential Responsibilities

• The lactation counselor works collaboratively to improve the quality of patient care and facilitate favorable outcomes in establishing and maintaining breastfeeding
• The lactation counselor focuses on health promotion and encourages self-care and parental decision making prenatally and postnatally
• Provides direct 1:1 patient care assisting mothers with infant & maternal positioning, deep latch, and establishment of adequate milk supply
• Provides instruction in basic and complex breastfeeding routines and techniques to new mothers, both inpatient and outpatient
• Provides support and problem-solving to patients experiencing feeding difficulty with infants
• Provides breastfeeding assessment, support, and counseling through daily rounds, follow-up visits, physical breastfeeding assessments, and care plan development for breastfeeding families
• Assists in coordinating and developing prenatal and postpartum breastfeeding education as well as education for health care professionals working with breastfeeding families
• Assists with development and implementation of the lactation program with focus on the inpatient and outpatient services offered
• Collects and analyzes data related to breastfeeding rates
• Incorporates evidence-based practice into Lactation program

Communication Skills

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff members.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions.
• Ability to work with limited supervision and to accept and profit from constructive criticism.
• Ability to identify and maintain organization and patient confidential information.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree in a healthcare field
• Experience in teaching one on one or in small groups
• Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) or Certified Lactation Educator (CLE) is required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong teaching, verbal and written communication skills
• Understanding of diverse cultural, physical, emotional and psychological response to birthing, lactation and parenting

Union Position

No