Lactation Coordinator *Grant Funded

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Lactation Coordinator is responsible for planning, organizing, and delivering breastfeeding education and support services to promote optimal infant nutrition within the program. This role coordinates breastfeeding initiatives across program sites, Cherokee Nation health clinics, and Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities. The Lactation Coordinator provides leadership and oversight for breastfeeding education and support services across Cherokee Nation WIC and affiliated health programs. This role ensures high-quality lactation care, promotes evidence-based practices, and fosters collaboration with hospitals, clinics, and community partners. This role coordinates breastfeeding initiatives across program sites, Cherokee Nation health clinics, and Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities, ensuring consistent, high-quality lactation support and adherence to program standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, implement, and evaluate an annual breastfeeding promotion and support plan aligned with Cherokee Nation WIC program regulations and strategic objectives.
• Coordinate breastfeeding promotion and management efforts across multiple healthcare and community settings, including hospital OB/GYN clinics, OB wards, pediatric clinics, La Leche League, and other partner organizations.
• Plan, organize, and conduct breastfeeding education classes for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals, ensuring culturally sensitive and evidence-based content delivery.
• Provide direct in-hospital education and advanced lactation support to breastfeeding mothers, documenting all interactions in medical records and ensuring continuity of care.
• Establish, manage, and expand peer support groups to foster breastfeeding education, community engagement, and empowerment among families.
• Design, review, and update educational materials such as brochures, pamphlets, charts, and digital resources to support breastfeeding education and outreach initiatives.
• Oversee prioritization, distribution, and proper usage training for breastfeeding supplies and equipment, ensuring equitable access and program compliance.
• Deliver ongoing, advanced training to WIC professionals, paraprofessionals, and healthcare staff on current breastfeeding trends, clinical techniques, and program standards.
• Ensure strict HIPAA compliance and maintain confidentiality and protection of all personal health information (PHI) in every aspect of service delivery.
• Lead the development and implementation of innovative breastfeeding promotion strategies and program initiatives that align with organizational goals.
• Provide expert-level lactation support and serve as a clinical resource for complex and high-risk cases.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers, hospitals, and community organizations to strengthen continuity of care and enhance breastfeeding outcomes.
• Mentor, coach, and train staff, including peer counselors and WIC professionals, fostering professional growth and adherence to best practices.
• Oversee quality assurance processes for breastfeeding education and support services, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and continuous improvement.
• Advocate for breastfeeding initiatives through participation in policy development, community outreach, and public health campaigns.

LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Provides supervision, leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring to a subordinate group.
• Sets work procedures, priorities, levels of responsibility and objectives.
• Handles complex issues and problems, referring only the most complex issues to higher-level staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing, nutrition, or a related healthcare field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years in maternal-child health, lactation management, or related clinical setting.
• Leadership experience preferred; ability to adapt to evolving program needs.

COMPETENCIES

• Clinical Expertise
• Leadership
• Communication
• Cultural Sensitivity
• HIPAA regulations
• Collaboration
• Program Management
• Advocacy
• Ethics & Professionalism

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Must possess a valid driver’s license with a driving history verified through a motor vehicle report that meets requirements for Cherokee Nation underwriting rating.
• Must be certified or eligible for certification in an approved breastfeeding educator program and maintain certification throughout employment.
• International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC); Must possess or acquire certification within one year of date of hire and maintain throughout employment.
• RN or RD license or eligibility preferred. Other Equivalent healthcare credentials encouraged and accepted.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
The employee must not be and will not be under sanction by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) or by the General Services Administration (GSA) or listed on the OIG's Cumulative Sanction Report, or the GSA's List of Excluded Providers, or listed on the OIG's List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
Must meet and maintain periodic background investigation and adjudication for child care.

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