Lactation Specialist and Childbirth Educator

Default Work Shift:

Varies (United States of America)

Hours:

40

Salary range:

$32.12 - $48.79

Schedule:

Full Time

Shift Hours:

8 Hour employee

Department:

Lactation and Childbirth Education Center

Job Objective:

Responsible for providing support for mother-infant breastfeeding. The tasks include assessment, planning, interventions, and evaluation of lactation support and education for clients how to correctly breastfeed, offering tips during first feedings and assist mothers in how to maintain milk supplies. Position may require working at alternate sites. As a Childbirth Educator this person is also responsible to scheduling and teaching childbirth classes as well as helping the Director grow this service.

Job Description:

Education:
Required: Associate's degree or successful completion of accredited Lactation Education program
Preferred: Bachelor’s or master’s degree

Licensure/Certification:
Required: International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or Certified Childbirth Educator (ICCE) with completion of IBCLC within one year of hire; American Heart Association BLS
Preferred: Neonatal Resuscitation Provider (NRP) certification from AHA and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

Experience:
Required: One (1) year experience in lactation and childbirth education

Reports To: Nursing Director, Clinical Supervisor or Nurse Manager Supervises: N/A, Delegates to Licensed and Non-Licensed Assistive Personnel Ages of Patients: Newborn, Pediatric, Adolescent, Adult Blood Borne Pathogens: High Potential

Skills, Knowledge, Abilities:

Able to independently manage multiple priorities, Compassionate and non- judgmental care giver and advocate, Comprehensive knowledge of reproductive health, pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, breastfeeding, infant development and infant care, Contributes to Maintaining a Healthy Work Environment, Demonstrates active involvement in evidence based lactation practices, Highly competent in the Scope and Standards of Care, Knowledge of learner  centered teaching strategies, Knowledge of the special needs of the critical ill obstetrical patient population, Researches, synthesizes, and maintains evidence-based curriculums, Strong interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills, Written and verbal communication skills

Essential Responsibilities

1.Demonstrates compliance with Code of Conduct and compliance policies, and takes action to resolve compliance questions or concerns and report suspected violations. 2.Assesses, utilizing age specific data, the patient’s physical, psychosocial, and spiritual status in a comprehensive manner. 3.Demonstrates accurate assessment skills, appropriate to the age of the patient, based on scientific facts and principles. 4.Performs initial assessment and completes required documentation within organizational standards. 5.Performs and documents ongoing assessments including observation, physical examination, laboratory/test results, and patient response to procedural intervention. 6.Participates in the identification and clarification of patient needs, as evidenced by participation in multidisciplinary care planning, to achieve optimal patient outcomes. 7.Reviews and revises plan of care according to change in patient’s status. 8.Completes patient classification for assigned patients as required. 9.Implements plan of care according to identified physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs. 10.Implements and utilizes the Relationship-Based Care Professional Practice Model as the guide to all interactions between patients, families, co-workers, staff, physicians, and self. 11.Completes patient care assignments in compliance with established hospital policies and procedures of clinical area. 12.Prioritizes nursing interventions commensurate with patient’s needs. 13.Utilizes effective verbal and written communication skills through the presentation of pertinent information using the SBAR format as appropriate. 14.Assists other staff in the delivery of patient care, as appropriate. 15.Incorporates patient teaching/discharge planning to promote optimal patient outcomes. 16.Provides, evaluates retention of, and documents education to the patient/family/significant other according to organizational standards. 17.Coordinates and documents appropriate discharge planning and referrals to ensure continuity of care after discharge. 18.Recognizes, accepts responsibility for, and maintains commitment to professional development and clinical competency. 19.Attends required professional development sessions and staff meetings. If unable to attend, review minutes or discuss proceedings of meetings with peers or managers. 20.Identifies personal knowledge deficits and seeks resources/consultation to ensure safe patient care. 21.Utilizes all channels of communication including reading organizational email at least once a week, to obtain knowledge, transmit information, address concerns, and solve problems. 22.Embraces change and continuously identifies opportunities for improvement by demonstrating a commitment to utilizing evidence based practice. 23.Articulates knowledge and actively participates in nursing practice quality initiatives. 24.Incorporates performance improvement recommendations into daily practice. 25.Accepts accountability and participates in problem-solving issues related to quality patient care outcomes. 26.Shares knowledge and acts as a professional resource to other members of the health care team. 27.Supports and participates in Unit Based Council initiatives. 28.Contributes to professional growth of peers by providing feedback through peer coaching and evaluation. 29.Strives to be a life-long learner continuing to enroll and complete classes and courses to advance and increase new clinical knowledge. 30.Complies with divisional and unit specific matrices. 31.Provides information about the physiology, psychology, and sociology of pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and early parenthood. 32.Educates OR Provides education to women and their support persons on how to cope with pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and early parenthood. 33.Encourages communication between the pregnant woman and other members of her health care circle. 34.Acts as a facilitator helping families better understand and value the experience of the transition to parenthood . 35.Advocates for pregnant women, their partners, infants, and families. 36.Is a spokesperson for the development of a maternal child health care system that provides access for parents to safe, low-cost, and family centered maternity care both within and outside the hospital. 37.Performs other duties as assigned.