Lactation Consultant

Position Summary:

Provides direct lactation support and education to patients and staff that is patient-centered, high-quality, cost-effective, and consistent with the hospital's mission, goals, and strategic plan. Functions collaboratively within the multidisciplinary health care team on the FBC and NICU units to provide comprehensive, specialized lactation care, consultations, staff education, and quality improvement initiatives. Partners with others to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

Reports to the Director of Women's Health Services.

Responsibilities:

1. Clinical Practice
• Assesses mother and infant, which includes, but is not limited to, historical data, physical exam, the maternal-infant interaction, dynamics of the feeding process, and effectiveness of milk transfer from mother to infant.
• Reviews findings with the patient, initiates interventions, and develops a plan of care that is culturally sensitive, evidence-based, and consistent with the patient's own breastfeeding goals.
• Provides ongoing education and support to patients to facilitate informed decision-making and skill mastery.
• Documents findings and the plan of care for the patient's medical record. Communicates the plan of care with the interdisciplinary team.

2. Clinical Leadership
• Serves as a clinical resource to nursing personnel and other health care professionals in the area of lactation and breastfeeding.
• Provides clinical leadership in activities of the department related to breastfeeding policies, standards of care, and the collaborative practice of nursing.
• Serves as a role model to staff with respect to breastfeeding support, professionalism, and customer relations.

3. Clinical Education
• Identifies educational needs of the staff.
• Assists with the development of programs, in-services, and validations to meet identified educational needs of the staff.
• Evaluates and disseminates current literature and research findings to the staff.
• Participates in the orientation of new staff.

4. Professional Activities
• Monitors hospital and unit-specific data regarding breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, and duration.
• Continually strives to improve quality and productivity by identifying improvement opportunities on the FBC and SCN units, and by recommending and implementing change.
• Establishes linkages with maternal and infant health care providers and services within the community to facilitate ongoing communication and coordination of care.
• Represents the hospital on State-wide and community committees that support and promote breastfeeding.

REQUIREMENTS:
• IBCLC required
• RN, State of CT licensed or licensed eligible preferred
• BLS required
• Must possess excellent communication, teaching and leadership skills
• Ability to work in a time-oriented environment including exposure to all patient elements in blood-borne pathogenics, physical requirement for 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 patients and families with tact and confidentiality.
• Ability to approach clinical responsibilities for patients regarding growth and development issues relating to specific age groups of the population served.
• Must have basic computer skills and the ability to access the internet and other programs applicable to Waterbury Hospital procedures.
• Perform automated functions that fall within job responsibility.

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