Job Summary:

The Registered Nurse, Lactation Consultant will coordinate patient care and educational activities related to lactation. This role encompasses consultation with inpatient and outpatient clients and health professionals in the hospital and the community at large.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Assesses patients lactation needs by obtaining medical histories, examining patients, and gathering information about the baby and family setting.
• Analyzes and documents physical, psychological, and social factors in developing an individualized plan of care. Communicates the plan of care and all pertinent information to other members of the health care team to provide coordinated patient treatment. Keeps accurate medical records and updates nursing care whenever conditions, needs, or goals of the patient change.
• Teaches lactation instruction to other health care professionals and monitors the proper performance of their training to patients. Conducts group lactation instruction for outpatients.
• Participates in and provides educational programs for the general public, using health care professionals and community organizations. Applies for grant funds to improve and enlarge community education about lactation.
• Communicates activities and problems with OB nurse manager.
• Participates in fire, safety, and disaster educational programs and activities.
• Cooperates with continuity of care coordinators regarding risk management, quality management, utilization management, and infection control issues.
• Understands and adheres to Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards as they apply to the nursing profession.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to be an effective and diplomatic member of medical team.

Education and Experience:

• RN with state license required.
• At least three years of clinical experience in maternal/child nursing required.
• Certification with the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners or enrolled in a certification training program required.
• Affiliation with professional nursing and lactation organizations highly desirable.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel or crouch, and smell.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds at times.
• Good hearing to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make fine discriminations in sound.
• Visual acuity to assess color changes, to verify accuracy of written materials, and to administer and accurately prepare medications.
• Fine manipulation skills for writing, keyboarding, and using scissors.