ABOUT OUR DEPARTMENT at NCH
The 19-bed award winning Labor and Delivery department at our North Naples campus delivers over 3,500 babies a year. Our specialty trained nurses work with mothers during the final stages of pregnancy helping with birthing, monitoring the mother’s vital signs, and becoming astute in signs and symptoms of possible complications.
NCH is an independent, locally governed non-profit delivering premier comprehensive care. Our healthcare system is comprised of two hospitals, an alliance of 700+ physicians, and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida that offer nationally recognized, quality health care.
NCH is transforming into an Advanced Community Healthcare System(TM) and we’re proud to: Provide higher acuity care and Centers of Excellence; Offer Graduate Medical Education and fellowships; Have endowed chairs; Conduct research and participate in national clinical trials; and partner with other health market leaders, like Hospital for Special Surgery, Encompass, and ProScan.
Join our mission to help everyone live a longer, happier, healthier life. We are committed to care and believe there's always more at NCH - for you and every person we serve together. Visit nchjobs.org to learn more.
JOB SUMMARY
The focus of the Lactation Consultant is directly involved in anticipating, preventing, and/or managing issues for the breast-feeding Mother-Baby dyad in both an Inpatient and Outpatient setting. The Lactation Consultant uses evidence-based best practice to educate patients, families, and the community on the benefits of breastfeeding, encourage breastfeeding, and offer continuing support for Mother and Newborn to sustain breastfeeding throughout the duration of the breastfeeding season. The Lactation Consultant works closely with the Birth Center, Newborn and Intensive Care Nurseries, Pediatrics, OB, Family Practice, and nursing care teams to develop feeding plans for a range of infants from the normal newborn to the complex neonate. Will also serve as a liaison or resource for pediatric dentistry, speech pathology, and community breastfeeding supporters such as support group leaders and breastfeeding peer counselors. The Lactation Consultant makes clinical assessments and uses current lactation theories and research to develop evidence-based feeding plans that address individual feeding issues. The Lactation Consultant works at the bedside in the clinical setting providing continuous hands-on patient care and patient teaching.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Other duties may be assigned.
· Provides lactation support and services to breastfeeding mothers/infants by physician or nurse referral.
· Continually provides hands on patient care and teaching at the bedside.
· Acts as a resource to teach, coach, support and mentor nursing staff and other healthcare learners to promote evidence based clinical practice, and support breastfeeding skills to the mother-infant dyad.
· Researches and investigates evidence-based research and knowledge to support clinical, educational and consultant roles to provide a scientific basis for professional nursing practice.
· Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team in research opportunities that will advance the knowledge base and practice of lactation services. Provides lactation support and services to breastfeeding mothers/infants by physician or nurse referral.
· Participates in interdisciplinary performance improvement and clinical research to promote evidence-based lactation services and to improve clinical outcomes.
· Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of standards of practice, guidelines, policies, procedures, and protocols within the area of lactation.
· Identify and analyze system barriers to provide excellent care and develop plans to resolve barriers.
· Can perform a thorough chart audit in response to continuous improvement activities.
· Obtains an appropriate breastfeeding history for the mother and child. Performs a comprehensive breastfeeding assessment of the mother baby dyad.
· Evaluates all assessment data to develop a plan of care that is appropriate and acceptable to the client.
· Attends patient care conferences and interdisciplinary rounds in the NICU.
· Evaluates results of care using accepted outcome criteria, revises the plan accordingly, and refers to the provider when needed.
· Addresses unresolved needs in discharge planning.
· Assesses barriers to learning, finds solutions to challenging situations.
· Adheres to the guidelines, the ILCA Standards of Practice for the IBCLC and the IBCLCE Ethics
· Collaborates with pediatric, birthing center, NB nursery and NICU, OB, family practice, ED, and nursing care team to develop appropriate, complex feeding plans.
· Uses current theories and research to develop evidence-based feeding plans that address individual feeding issues, such as nutritional requirements.
· Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to provide continuity of care upon discharge of patients.
· Participates in developing, implementing, and evaluating patient education resources and programs.
· Teaches, coaches, and supports breastfeeding mothers utilizing evidence-based practice.
· Acts as a resource to teach, coach, support and mentor nursing staff and other healthcare learners to promote evidence based clinical practice, and support breastfeeding skills to the mother-infant dyad.
· Attending patient care conferences.
· Evaluates results of care using accepted outcome criteria; revise the plan accordingly and consult and/or refer when needed. Addresses unresolved needs in discharge planning.
· Completes timely and accurate documentation that reflects hospital standards.
· Provides feedback regarding problems and complaints and offers constructive suggestions.
· Prioritizes patient treatment to best meet patient needs.
· Identify the need for and provide client teaching and anticipatory guidance appropriate to the client’s age, developmental status, abilities, culture, religion, ethnicity, and support system.
· Answers client phone calls within 48 hours and schedules outpatient consultations in a timely manner.
· Demonstrates competency in all procedures within scope of practice.
· Maintains the International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) certification, Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC), or Certified Breastfeeding Counselor (CBC).
· Acts as a professional Leader and Development Role model in professionalism through conduct, appearance, communication, mutual respect, leadership, ethical decision-making, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
· Assumes professional responsibility for professional self-development.
· Quality of work reflects high professional and ethical standards.
· Communicate effectively to maintain positive working relationships.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
· Minimum of a High School/GED required.
· Valid registered Lactation Certification consultant/educator.
· Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Florida preferred.
· Must have at least 2 years’ experience in Lactation education/ consultant required.
· Basic Life Support (BLS Provider) certification from the American Heart Association required.
· Certification as a Lactation Consultant through the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLC) or certification as a CLC (Certified Lactation Counselor) or CBC (Certified Breastfeeding Counselor) required. Will obtain IBCLC board certification within 18 months of hire.
· Bilingual in Spanish or Creole preferred.
· Knowledge, skills and abilities in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Windows.
· Excellent teaching, verbal, and written communication skills essential. Experience in teaching one on one and in small groups. Understanding diverse cultural backgrounds.