What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lactation Consultant position at Med Center Health?
- Position Summary
- The certified lactation consultant provides lactation training/education to obstetric patients and staff members.
- Minimum Qualifications
- Work Experience
- Three years of obstetrical nursing experience with demonstrated leadership skills required.
Education- Graduate of a school of nursing required.
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing preferred.
Certifications/Licensure- Kentucky RN license (OR) RN license in a state recognized by the Kentucky Nurse Licensure Compact Act effective June 1, 2007 required.
- Certified Lactation Consultant required.
- Job Specific Performance Standards
- The duties listed below are a summary of the major essential functions of this position. The position may require other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned, and specific functions may change from time to time.
- Develops and directs family centered patient education programs pertinent to lactation education of obstetric patients and their newborn.
- Maintains accurate documentation of pertinent patient information to include the type of lactation education information presented to the patient/family and the level of understanding achieved by the patient/family.
- Provides education and support for breast-feeding mothers. Provides a follow-up program to check on and nurture those breast-feeding mothers after discharge from the hospital.
- Provides a supportive atmosphere for the parents of babies in NICU. Supports non-nutritive nursing initiatives as well as breastfeeding attempts. Makes daily NICU rounds to check on the progress of breastfeeding attempts as well as to address any breastfeeding concerns.
- Reinforces lactation education provided by obstetrical staff nurses to lactating patients by making daily rounds on all inpatient mothers of newborns to address concerns beyond the scope of the staff nurse as well as to support the initiatives of the staff nurse.
- Aids in the provision of infant CPR classes to patients and their families.
- Assists with the conducting of classes as scheduled on the “Prenatal Education Calendar.” Acts as a primary instructor for the regularly scheduled Breastfeeding class. Provides monthly statistics to the OB Clinical manager as to the number of patients that have attended each offering.
- Consults with patients hospitalized on other units in the hospital with regard to lactation support as ordered by attending physician. Serves as a resource person for patients, staff, and physicians regarding lactation issues.
- Collaborates with administrative personnel such as managers, directors, and vice-presidents to identify and optimize opportunities for improving lactation initiatives.
- Researches and coordinates the availability of lactation assistive devices.
- Continuously advances self directed development, with enhancement of knowledge and skills through college courses, professional journals, attendance of conferences, achieving/maintaining certifications and/or other means as determined by the OB Clinical Manager or Vice President.
- Maintains a lactation resource library for CHC obstetrical staff members and physicians.
- Designs lactation programs for staff education enhancement with behavioral objectives, class purpose descriptions, syllabi, etc. as required for contact hour or CEU development.
- Manages staff education initiatives regarding lactation topics as associated with participation in current standing as well as special committees.
- Coordinates Expectant Parent Fairs and other related community education initiatives.
Location: Med Center Health · MCBG Postpartum Unit
Schedule: PRN - As Needed, Varied Shifts