Lactation Consultant
Womens and Children
Full Time
8 hour shift

Mission-
To inspire health and healing by putting patients first - ALWAYS.

Job Summary
This position assesses, plans, implements, evaluates and documents nursing care of patients in accordance with organizational policies and in accordance with standards of professional nursing practice utilizing the framework for professional nursing practice and development. This position is accountable for the quality of nursing services delivered by self or others who are under their direction. This position utilizes specialized knowledge, judgment, and nursing skills necessary to assess data and plan, provide and evaluate care appropriate to the physical and developmental age of assigned patients.

1. The RN/Registered Nurse Lactation Consultant works with all interdisciplinary teams and provides comprehensive breastfeeding assessment for the mother/infant dyad during the perinatal and postpartum period. The RN/Registered Nurse Lactation Consultant utilizes evidence based practice and gives ongoing support for breastfeeding families throughout the continuum of care. • Instructs mothers (adolescents and adults) on all tasks necessary to initiate and maintain lactation during the infant's hospitalization. • May include prenatal instruction, post-discharge follow-up, and community outreach. • Recognize that parents have choices regarding feeding options. Educate and support parents to their preference, or to any specialized feeding options when needed • Evaluate the effectiveness of feeding including mechanics and techniques, providing recommendations and management strategies for both formula and breastfeeding options • Communicates the information obtained from maternal and infant observation and evaluation, collaborates with health care team for development and ongoing modification of plan of care • Serves as an expert resource to departments and staff throughout the facility to ensure knowledge of, and adherence to, hospital policies and procedures related to human milk collection, storage, transport and feeding • Represents department and self as a liaison to patients/families, visitors, peers and other health care team members. • Demonstrates willingness and ability to acquire new knowledge, demonstrate new skills needed to improve individual, team, and organizational performance • Engaged instructor for the Breastfeeding 101 class and breastfeeding support group. Continued development and support of these existing program is expected. • Report Great Plains Health breastfeeding initiation rates and exclusively breastfeeding rates to the State of Nebraska on a quarterly basis. •

Minimum Qualifications
Education:
-Graduate of an accredited nursing program.

Credentials:
-Must possess a current, valid RN license in state of practice, temporary RN license in state of practice, or compact RN licensure for current state of practice.
-BLS certification is required.
-ACLS, NRP certifications required. PALS, STABLE preferred.
-Additional certification or continuing education may be required based on area of practice.
-Must possess a current certified lactation counselor (CLC) or Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or willing to become certified within 6 months of starting position

-Minimum 2 years of experience in OB, Post-Partum, and/or NICU care.

Physical Demands
-Able to stand, walk, bend, squat, reach, and stretch frequently.
-Possess physical agility and adequate reaction time to respond quickly and appropriately to unexpected patient care needs.
-Needs adequate hearing and visual acuity, including adequate color vision.
-Requires fine motor skills, adequate eye-hand coordination, and ability to grasp and handle objects.
-Able to use proper body mechanics to assist patients in ambulating, transferring in and out of bed, chair or wheelchair.
-May be required to lift up to 50 pounds.
-Must use standard precautions due to threat of exposure to blood and bodily fluids.
-Needs ability to communicate effectively through reading, writing, and speaking in person or on telephone.
-May require periodic use of personal computer.

Essential Functions
-Assesses patient physical, psychological, social, spiritual, educational, developmental, cultural and discharge planning needs. Reviews patient history and physical with patient/family and assures completion within appropriate timeframe. Reviews available information obtained by other health care team members. --Reviews diagnostics and laboratory data and reports abnormal results to the physician(s) and other appropriate caregivers. Completes assessment and reassessments according to patient need and as outlined in policy.
-Formulates a plan of care, including the discharge plan, utilizing assessment data and patient, family and health team input. Initiates a plan of care based on patient-specific needs, assessment data and the medical plan of care. Goals for patient are realistic, measurable and developed in conjunction with the patient/family. Considers the physical, cultural, psychosocial, spiritual, age specific and educational needs of the patient in the plan of are. Plans care in collaboration with members of the multidisciplinary team. Reviews and revises the plan of care to reflect changing patient needs based on evaluation of the patient's status.
-Implements the plan of care through direct patient care, coordination, delegation and supervision of the activities of the health care team. Provides care based on physician orders and the nursing plan of care, in compliance with policies and procedures, standards of care, and regulatory agency requirements. Delegates appropriately, and provides nursing supervision in the provision of care to patients by other licensed nurses and other personnel. Promotes continuity of care by accurately and completely communicating to other caregivers the status of patients for whom care is provided.
-Evaluates the patient's and family's response to care and teaching, and revises the plan of care as needed. Evaluates patient progress towards goals and expected outcomes in collaboration with other health care team members. Evaluates patient's response and the effectiveness of patient teaching.
-Documents assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation in the patient record. Documentation is legible, timely and in accordance with policy. Documentation reflects objective/subjective data, nursing interventions and patient's response to treatment. Notes physician orders accurately and in a timely manner.
-Provides care based on the best evidence available and may participate in research activities within clinical practice. Participates in unit or facility shared leadership. Interacts and participates in the education, role development, and orientation of facility personnel, patients, students, families and visitors. Promotes/supports growth of others through precepting and mentoring when appropriate.
-Contributes to society through activities that lead to excellent patient outcomes through timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and safe care. Actively participates in the improvement of national nursing quality indicators and outcomes. Such activities may include participating in professional organizations.