Lactation Consultant

JOB SUMMARY:

The Lactation Consultant provides patient and family-centered lactation support services based upon his/her specialty training, through an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach. S/he assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates lactation plans for the breastfeeding/chest-feeding dyad and the pumping parent and collaborates fully with the health care team. S/he additionally serves as a resource for providers and patients who may be located at other Chase Brexton sites.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Analytical and Critical Thinking

* Provides lactation assessment, management, education and instruction in the form of prenatal education and postpartum consultative care.

* Assists patients in the process of obtaining a breast pump, if needed.

* Provides services designed to meet the individual patient's needs in terms of literacy, preferred language.

* Designs her intervention to meet the patient's goals with regard to breastfeeding/lactation.

* Assesses for barriers and assets in a patient's social and emotional environment that are likely to affect lactation outcomes.

Patient Focus

* Demonstrates professionalism and integrity in all aspects of patient care.

* Effectively engages patients in their care.

* Addresses patient concerns brought up during visit, and documents assessment and plan for these concerns.

* Integrates lactational interventions within the larger OB team to ensure that biopsychosocial concerns are addressed.

* Follows up with patients to evaluate efficacy of interventions and address any ongoing needs.

Teamwork

* Fosters a collaborative work environment

* Functions as the primary clinical lactation consultant for CBHC.

* Works with peers to implement improvements to workflow or to the workplace.

* Participates in warm handoffs during prenatal and postpartum visits, when consulted.

* May participate in education during group prenatal visits.

* Works within organization to increase provision of lactation services.

* Participates in interdisciplinary programs to promote and improve lactation support and breastfeeding rates among CBHC patients.

* Participates in internal committees and teams as requested.

Communication

* Returns patient calls within 2 working days. If out of office for a period of time without access to voicemail, informs the primary OB provider of lactational interventions, through flags, problem list up-dates, and/or visit note documentation.

* Informs OB RN and primary OB provider of lactation interventions/plan.

* Informs Perinatal psyc provider of lactation interventions/plan, if applicable.

* Keeps OB team informed of developments in lactation services.

* Provides direction to the organization with respect to lactation services.

* Participates when requested to serve on committees.

* Participates when requested to participate in community activities.

* Participates when requested to be a media contact.

* Reads and responds to e-mail in a timely manner (within 2 working days), unless out of office indicates otherwise

Checking, Examining, and Recording

* Bills all encounters.

* Maintains complete and comprehensive documentation.

* Consistently completes progress notes of patient encounters by end of the next business day.

Workplace Computers and Equipment

* Utilizes EMR resources to manage patient care, including flags and referrals.

* Uses "out of office" functions in EMR, Outlook, and phone system to make staff aware of absences.

Compliance, Policy, and Procedure

* Keeps current with respect to organizational policies and procedures, and puts them into practice.

Willingness to Learn

* Takes active steps to keep current in new developments within the field of lactation

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

* In-depth knowledge of lactation assessments and interventions

* Strong communication, research, presentation, and creative skills

* Basic navigation knowledge of electronic medical record applications such as CPS 12 and ability to learn new computer skills

* Maintain sensitivity to religious, ethnic and cultural differences in others and show respect and empathy

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

* Required: Active Board Certified International Board Certified Lactation Consultant certification (IBCLC)

* 1+ years' experience as a lactation consultant

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