Job Category:

Work Shift/Schedule:

Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

About the Role:

Department Overview

The Mother Baby Unit, consisting of 30 postpartum beds, provides comprehensive postpartum/newborn care to each mother, infant and family within the framework of Northeast Georgia Medical Center's mission statement.

Low to moderate risk postpartum patients, adolescence through middle age, are transferred to the Mother Baby Unit approximately 120 minutes after delivery. This includes patients with well newborns as well as those with sick newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Each postpartum patient's physiologic needs are addressed including: control of pain, management of obstetrical complications including consultation with physical therapy, breastfeeding complications or compromise in major organ systems. Each newborn's physiological needs are addressed including: absence or control of pain, management of feeding problems and /or compromise in major organ systems.

Each postpartum patient/family's psychological, spiritual and knowledge deficits are assessed and addressed.

Job Summary

The Lactation Consultant (LC) is educated and experienced in managing the needs and care of the breastfeeding family. The Lactation Consultant is responsible for providing patient care with an understanding and awareness of age specific needs. She/he addresses the biological, emotional, development, psychosocial, and breastfeeding education needs while providing care to the patient and family/support person. The LC is responsible for delivering patient care in complex, multiple problem breastfeeding situations. She/he is skilled in assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation to assist the breastfeeding mother to attain her individual breastfeeding goals. She/he is able to independently perform job functions. The Lactation Consultant functions as a member of a multidisciplinary health care team, clinical preceptor, consultant instructor, and mentor to other health care professionals. The LC cares for patients in the neonate, infant, adolescent, and adult age groups. Employee performs clinical duties in accordance with population specific guidelines and adheres to Det Norske Veritas (DNV) standards outlined in policy and procedures. Participates as a member on VOICE councils as appropriate. Actively participates on unit council helping with plans to improve NDNQI or other nursing sensitive indicators and patient experience data. Works together with other care team members to recruit and retain an excellent patient care team.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Licensure or other certifications: Certification by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and Licensed Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) by the State of Georgia, Licensed to practice as an RN in Georgia with an active GA RN license and/or Certified Breastfeeding Counselor (CLC) while obtaining IBCLC. Must have IBCLC by one year of hire into position.

• Educational Requirements: Associates Degree. Graduate of an accredited/approved School of Nursing.

• Minimum Experience: At least one (1) year experience in breastfeeding and human lactation.

• Other:

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Preferred Licensure or other certifications:

• Preferred Educational Requirements:

• Preferred Experience: Two (2) years or more.

• Other: Membership in professional organization.

Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of anatomy and physiology of breast feeding. Knowledge and demonstration of effective breast feeding techniques. Knowledge of care and maintenance of breast pumps.
  

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

Provision of quality breastfeeding care/instructions to inpatients and outpatients.

• Assesses patient's readiness to learn and ability to receive breastfeeding information based on psychosocial and physiological needs.

• Identifies, analyzes and formulates an plan of intervention that results in attainment of the breastfeeding mother's individual goals.

• Demonstrates an understanding of growth and developmental principles related to patient age and diagnosis.

• Performs age specific care procedures as relates to breastfeeding dyad.

• Supports patient and patient's support system in coping with health care status, condition, and diagnosis.

• Evaluates consequences of lactation interventions and readjusts care as appropriate.

Provision of patient education/discharge planning

• Documents identified learning needs and actions taken as appropriate.

• Utilizes support services, resources and teaching aids for patient/support system's education.

• Alters teaching methods based on age and identified needs.

• Provides timely discharge information and assistance.

• Collaborates with other health care team members in planning care before and after discharge.

Evaluates breastfeeding success and conducts follow-up phone calls with discharged mothers.

Maintains appropriate patient logs/records to document inpatient and outpatient contacts, interventions and duration. Maintains statistics on breastfeeding retention rates at one month, three months, and six months.

Manages Lactation Center

• Sells/rents breast pumps, maintaining inventory, cleaning, and ensuring pumps are reviewed periodically for safety.

• Prompt follow-up on rental pumps not returned.

• Promotion, sale, and maintenance of inventory of breastfeeding accessories.

Physical Demands

• Weight Lifted: Up to 50 lbs, Occasionally 0-30% of time

• Weight Carried: Up to 50 lbs, Occasionally 0-30% of time

• Vision: Moderate, Frequently 31-65% of time

• Kneeling/Stooping/Bending: Frequently 31-65%

• Standing/Walking: Frequently 31-65%

• Pushing/Pulling: Frequently 31-65%

• Intensity of Work: Frequently 31-65%

• Job Requires: Reading, Writing, Reasoning, Talking, Keyboarding

Working at NGHS means being part of something special: a team invested in you as a person, an employee, and in helping you reach your goals.

NGHS: Opportunities start here.

Northeast Georgia Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification or status.