Lactation Consultant Nurse

Job Summary:

To coordinate and monitor the care of newborns and provide lactation support to new mothers in the postpartum period.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Employs an interdisciplinary approach to providing comprehensive newborn assessment and lactation support; facilitates the coordination of all necessary services for patients and families. Coordinates patient care for hospital admissions, specialty referrals, and ancillary support departments based on the assessment from the newborn visit. IBCLC may consult with the Provider for further assessment; coordinate with other IBCLCs, Continuing Care services, or hospital staff. IBCLC may also coordinate the member receipt of a hospital grade breast pump which is considered DME.
• Within the assigned service area of operation, contacts every woman who has delivered a newborn, offers telephonic assessment and lactation support, generates a nursing care plan, and monitors follow up. Assesses the needs of the mother and her newborn in the post-partum period. Documents identified high risk factors and problems, which may require consultation and intervention, and plans for appropriate follow up.
• Collaborates with other members of the health care team to identify parents educational and competency gaps related to breastfeeding and newborn assessment. Conducts and documents individual or family lactation or newborn visits in the Medical Office Building to address the identified gaps associated with the Newborn or Lactation visit.
• In collaboration with other members of the health care team at their assigned medical office building, assesses staff knowledge and identifies competency-based educational needs of staff related to breastfeeding patients and newborn assessment. In collaboration with the KP-MAS Health Education department, provides both formal and informal medical and nursing staff education services in a manner that is consistent, uniform, efficient and cost-effective. Evaluates the effectiveness of the education and modifies educational plans as needed in conjunction with the Health Education department.
• Maintains precise records, data, and statistics in order to ensure accurate reporting and documentation of quality assurance and improvement measures, and facilitate research efforts.
• Represents facility at quarterly Regional Lactation workgroup meetings.
• Represents the IBCLC program in facility and regional committees and initiatives.
• Performs duties of the clinical nurse in assigned setting when necessary.
• Assists with development and updating of lactation protocols in collaboration with a health care team of physicians, nurse practitioner, midwife, social workers, and nutritionists.
• Teaches group prenatal newborn care and lactation classes.
• Manages DME breast pumps.