The Lactation Consultant is a health care professional who is knowledgeable, skilled and experienced in lactation and breastfeeding management. The primary focus of this position is to provide education, assistance, and support to breastfeeding women and newborns. The Lactation Consultant will also provide education to the perinatal nurses
who will be caring for maternity patients.
The Lactation Consultant will provide education within the scope of the Childbirth Education Program as well as continued consultation to patients who are in need of services post-discharge.
The Lactation Consultant will be responsible for creating policies and procedures within the scope of Breastfeeding.
Essential Functions:
Assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation of care in a variety of patient care situations
Establishment and implementation of Breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to staff
Training and education of all staff in the skills necessary to implement breastfeeding policy
Maintains and expands knowledge and skills for lactation consultant practice by participating in continuing education programs and professional development activities
Interface with Childbirth Educators to educate consistently and comprehensively on breastfeeding issues
Establishment of an employee breastfeeding program so that employees returning to work may continue breastfeeding
Follow-up with breastfeeding patients as appropriate - availability as a referral source for NWH
Referral and communication to primary care provider as appropriate.
Qualifications
Qualifications:
Current Licensure in nursing in Massachusetts
IBCLC Certification
Demonstrated, successful teaching experience
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Knowledge of Business Administration Preferred
BSN preferred
Recent OB or Mother/Baby nursing experience preferred.
Knowledge of the special needs and behaviors of infant, child, adolescent, adult patients required.
CPR Training Required
Physical Environment:
The Lactation Consultant works in a variety of patient care environments where there may be exposure to communicable diseases and hazardous materials such as chemothera-peutic agents, radioisotopes and radiation. Caring for patients also involves exposure to human waste and other unpleasant elements. Other duties may include general cleaning with exposure to dirt, odors, cramped quarters, etc.
Physical Standards of Job Description:
Constantly - 75% or more of the worker's time is spent in the activity
Frequently - 25% to 75% or more of the worker's time is spent in this activity
Occasionally - 5% to 25% or more of the worker's time is spent in this activity
Rarely - under 5% or more of the worker's time is spent in the activity
N/A - not applicable
Basic activity being performed
C
F
O
R
N/A
Comments
Walking
X
19% - Patient care activities
Standing
X
16% - Patient care activities
Sitting
with back support
X
8% - Patient care and paperwork
without back support
X
Reaching
Overhead
X
10% - Patient care activities
Forward
X
Lateral
X
Low
X
Stooping
3% - Patient care activities
Bending at waist
X
Crouching
6% - Patient care activities
Bending at knees
X
Kneeling
X
1% - Patient care activities
Climbing
X
1% - Patient care activities
Crawling
X
1% - Patient care activities
Twisting
X
5% - Patient care activities
Balance
X
5% - Patient care activities
Other:
Other:
Pushing Tasks by weight
5 lbs
X
5% - Patient care activities
5-15 lbs
X
15-40 lbs
X
40-75 lbs
X
75-100 lbs
X
Pulling Tasks by weight
5 lbs
X
10% - Patient care activities
5-15 lbs
X
15-40 lbs
X
40-75 lbs
X
75-100 lbs
X
Lifting Tasks by weight
5 lbs
X
10% - Patient care activities: lifting of equipment and lifting/positioning of patients - weight varies significantly
5-15 lbs
X
15-40 lbs
X
40-75 lbs
X
75-100 lbs
X
Sensory Requirements
Yes
No
Comments
Visual Activity
Close paper work
X
VOI used
X
Color vision required
X
Visual monotony
X
Hearing Activity
Conversation
X
Monitoring Equipment
X
Telephone
X
Transcription
X
Background Noise
X
Sensory Discrimination
Hot/Cold
X
Sharp/Dull
X
The above is intended to describe the general contents and requirements of work being performed by people assigned to this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive statement of all duties, responsibilities or skills of personnel so classified.
