Lactation Services and Perinatal Nurse Navigator

Position Summary:

The Lactation Services and Perinatal Nurse Navigator is responsible for overseeing both the lactation program as well as the perinatal program at Waterbury Hospital. This position requires managing direct reports that fall within the Lactation/Perinatal Education roles. Reports to the Director, Women’s Health.

Responsibilities:

1. Lactation Program

• Direct care to lactating mothers. Collaborates with interdisciplinary team to coordinate feeding plans.
• Runs a weekly breastfeeding support group.
• Responsible for validating existing staff yearly on lactation competency.
• Provides didactic training to new hires along with a direct care experience.
• Audit records monthly for Perinatal Core measures and unit specific data.
• Monitors adherence to DPH action plans.
• Promotes evidence based practice.
• Leads the Lactation committee.
• Manages the Pasteurized Donor Milk Program.
• Mentors the Certified Lactation Counselor program and provides quarterly education
• Works with vendors to secure products that are WHO compliant when able
• Oversees Per Diem Lactation Staff o Attends State Consortium Meetings related to Breastfeeding and Baby Friendly

2. Perinatal Education program

• Assumes responsibility for scheduling all perinatal course offerings (online and in person)
• Oversees and admin of Online Childbirth education Program
• Is a liaison between the hospital and the providers’ offices to improve communication and cooperation
• Contact person for patients with questions, birth plans, or special circumstances
• Works with Corporate Communications to maintain and update web page
• Works with Corporate Communications to promote community awareness and presence of FBC/NICU in the Greater Waterbury Community
• Identify barriers to obtaining courses and look for solutions
• Participates in OBGYN Business Meetings and Perinatal Quality Meeting
• Admin of the MOMS program
• Admin of the Facebook page for FBC

REQUIREMENTS:

• IBCLC required
• RN, State of CT licensed or licensed eligible preferred
• BSN preferred
• Management/leadership experience preferred. Perinatal quality abstraction experience required
• Must possess excellent communication, teaching and leadership skills
• Ability to work in a time-oriented environment including exposure to all patient elements in bloodborne pathogenics, physical requirement lifting and pulling patients, pushing stretches, standing and walking.
• May be exposed to environmental hazards such as anesthesia gases or elements.
• Ability to interact with patient and families with tact and confidentiality.
• Ability to approach clinical responsibilities for patient regarding growth and development issues relate to specific age groups of population served.
• Must have basic computer skills and ability to access internet and other programs applicable to Waterbury Hospital procedures.
• Perform automated functions that fall within job responsibility.

Salary Range: $70k-$100k/year

Responsibilities:

1. Lactation Program

• Direct care to lactating mothers. Collaborates with interdisciplinary team to coordinate feeding plans.
• Runs a weekly breastfeeding support group.
• Responsible for validating existing staff yearly on lactation competency.
• Provides didactic training to new hires along with a direct care experience.
• Audit records monthly for Perinatal Core measures and unit specific data.
• Monitors adherence to DPH action plans.
• Promotes evidence based practice.
• Leads the Lactation committee.
• Manages the Pasteurized Donor Milk Program.
• Mentors the Certified Lactation Counselor program and provides quarterly education
• Works with vendors to secure products that are WHO compliant when able
• Oversees Per Diem Lactation Staff o Attends State Consortium Meetings related to Breastfeeding and Baby Friendly

2. Perinatal Education program

• Assumes responsibility for scheduling all perinatal course offerings (online and in person)
• Oversees and admin of Online Childbirth education Program
• Is a liaison between the hospital and the providers’ offices to improve communication and cooperation
• Contact person for patients with questions, birth plans, or special circumstances
• Works with Corporate Communications to maintain and update web page
• Works with Corporate Communications to promote community awareness and presence of FBC/NICU in the Greater Waterbury Community
• Identify barriers to obtaining courses and look for solutions
• Participates in OBGYN Business Meetings and Perinatal Quality Meeting
• Admin of the MOMS program
• Admin of the Facebook page for FBC

REQUIREMENTS:

• IBCLC required
• RN, State of CT licensed or licensed eligible preferred
• BSN preferred
• Management/leadership experience preferred. Perinatal quality abstraction experience required
• Must possess excellent communication, teaching and leadership skills
• Ability to work in a time-oriented environment including exposure to all patient elements in bloodborne pathogenics, physical requirement lifting and pulling patients, pushing stretches, standing and walking.
• May be exposed to environmental hazards such as anesthesia gases or elements.
• Ability to interact with patient and families with tact and confidentiality.
• Ability to approach clinical responsibilities for patient regarding growth and development issues relate to specific age groups of population served.
• Must have basic computer skills and ability to access internet and other programs applicable to Waterbury Hospital procedures.

The UConn Health Community Network is a not-for-profit organization created to extend UConn Health’s mission by partnering with community hospitals and connecting them to its clinical expertise, academic strength, and operational resources.

Today, the network is a thriving community‑based system of care serving more than 280,000 residents across the region. It employs over 2,000 professionals and supports a medical staff of roughly 700 clinicians.

At its core is Waterbury Hospital, a 347‑bed community teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Alongside Connecticut Children’s, the UConn Health Community Network Medical Group, Access Rehab Centers, and its role as a leading partner in the Harold Leever Cancer Center, the network has been shaping the region’s healthcare landscape for more than 130 years.

And Waterbury Hospital is only the beginning — the network is designed for continued growth, deeper partnerships, and broader regional impact.