Lactation Specialist (6717)

Provides breastfeeding assistance for expectant and new mothers. Initiates consultation with mothers and families to promote health and prevent breastfeeding problems, as well as assisting in crisis situations. Utilizes a scientific body of knowledge to communicate with other members of the health care team. Coordinates and participates in health fairs and/or educational programs.

Essential Function

Coordinates and provides patient care/services in accordance with established protocols, policies and procedures. Evaluates the effectiveness of care/services and makes adjustments/recommendations as needed to improve patient care and services.

• Conducts bedside lactation rounds daily to observe, intervene, and evaluate: patients’ anxieties, needs, staff questions, performance and reinforcements.
• Consults with mothers experiencing breastfeeding problems.
• Participates appropriately in communication and decision-making activities of the lactation services for the maternity services.
• Selects appropriate breastfeeding related supplies.
• Plans, organizes and delivers lactation management services to all breastfeeding patients, both in- patient and out-patient.
• Conducts quality assurance programs to monitor the caliber of the program.
• Assists in interpreting, implementing and writing standards and policies/procedures regarding care and education of breastfeeding couplet.
• Works consistently within nursing division policies and procedures, demonstrated competencies, and with consideration given to risk management, infection control practices, and patient safety practices.
• Demonstrates knowledge and technical, interpersonal and critical thinking skills to provide care, maintain clinical competency and meet age-specific patient needs.

Assesses and identifies learning needs of patients, families, staff and program participants for expectant and new breastfeeding mothers.

• Assists in the development, implementation, and evaluation of breastfeeding programs and materials for patients, staff, community, and other professionals.
• Engages in patient/family/staff teaching to achieve the desired patient outcomes.
• Participates as an active member in staff meetings and committees.
• Plans and conducts classes, activities or individual sessions to meet identified learning needs develops curriculum, teaching materials, lesson plans and evaluation tools.
• Maintains awareness of financial issues, cost containment, and resources for patients.
• Plans, teaches and conducts in-service education for maternity nursing staff to enable them to answer breastfeeding questions appropriately.

Coordinates and participates in educational and service programs, developing support for education/service programs. Screens potential clients at health screening; maintains statistics.

Essential Function

Provides informational material and literature to patient, family members, staff and health fair/program participant.

Interacts and communicates with members of the health care team, patient and visitors in a customer responsive and courteous manner, in compliance with MEDCARE standards and promoting patient/customer satisfaction.

Works collaboratively and serves as a resource person to the medical and nursing staffs; consults regarding any entities or aspect of lactation services and breastfeeding.

Recommends and/or develops protocols for home care.

Maintains professional credentials and education necessary to keep abreast and maintain a current knowledge of clinical/theoretical/performance

improvement principles, concepts and techniques, best practices and current trends. Attends continuing education, staff development, and mandatory programs.

Maintains patient medical records; documents patient status and care/education given; performs charting duties; records activities and observations. Utilizes patient computer systems to enter and retrieve data.

Participates in staff training and performance improvement activities and utilizes the results of the quality of care activities to initiate changes in practices.

Maintains a clean, orderly, safe environment for patients and personnel. Adheres to established policies, compliance/quality improvement, and safety, environment and infection control standards.

Prepares and maintains required records, reports and files for administrative and compliance purposes.

A thorough completion of this section is needed for compliance with legal standards such as the Americans with Disabilities Act. The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Physical Demand

N/A

Rarely

Occasionally

Frequently

Constantly

Weight

Standing

X

Walking

X

Sitting

X

Lifting

X

Carrying

X

Pushing

X

Pulling

X

Climbing

X

Balancing

X

Stooping

X

Kneeling

X

Crouching

X

Crawling

X

Reaching

X

Handling

X

Grasping

X

Feeling

X

Talking

X

Education

Education Level

Education Details

Required/ Preferred

Graduate of an approved nursing program.

Required

and

Qualified by education, training or experience to work with the neonate, infant, adolescent, adult and/or geriatric patient population as specialty assignment dictates.

Required

Experience

Experience Details

Required/ Preferred

Minimum 2 years experience

Twenty-four (24) months clinical experience with additional experience, working with breastfeeding infants and mothers, preservation of milk, etc.

Required