Lactation Consultant Nurse

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Promotes breastfeeding advocacy through planned educational opportunities directed toward the roles of maternal, family and health care workers.

2. Provides parent education for informed choice of infant feeding; nutritional recommendations for lactation; and the effects of medications, recreational drugs, herbs and home remedies related to lactation and infant health.

3. Provides staff education through adult learning principles and on-going mentoring.

4. Assures the delivery of comprehensive breastfeeding clinical support through the coordination and provision of expert patient care.

5. Provides inpatient consultation (including the emergency department) with mothers who are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.

6. Performs assessment of the mother-baby couplet identifying possible conditions or difficulties based on history, interview, and assessment that may impact breastfeeding and lactation.

7. Provides information and problem-solving ideas to resolve breastfeeding difficulties through personal interaction and demonstration.

8. Provides emotional support and crisis intervention directly to mothers and through staff mentoring.

9. Acts as a breastfeeding advocate for the patient, incorporating the understanding of cultural differences related to breastfeeding couplet.

10. Participates in the development and enhancement of policies, procedures, and standards of practice regarding breastfeeding.

11. Assists in performance improvement activities.

12. Bases decisions on relevant scientific principles, established standards of care and/or research findings.

13. Integrates information gained through quality improvement activities and evidence-based practice.

14. Consistently follows established standards of care, standards of practice, and policies and procedures.

15. Collects data for quality improvement activities and assists in developing and analyzing data.

16. Participates in research that may improve patient care.

17. Participates in Performance Improvement activities as appropriate.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional Job Description:

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

Shift:

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Equal Opportunity Employer

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.