Registered Nurse - Certified Lactation Consultant - Evening/Night

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Meets all expectations of the Lactation Consultant I.
• Coaches and mentors the Lactation Consultant I in developing and coordinating the case load and their breastfeeding plans of care (BF p.o.c.). Initiates and manages plans of care for more complex groups of assigned inpatients and outpatients.
• Provides and coordinates direct care in accordance with the principles of patient and family-centered care based on the nursing process and per the clinical standards of the hospital. The LC serves as a breastfeeding advocate and encourages informed decision-making.
• Independently recognizes subtle changes in condition. Analyzes patient data, integrates information from other sources, and initiates/facilitates collaboration with multi-disciplinary team members to develop an individualized and outcome-driven BF p.o.c. Monitors adherence to/progress of breastfeeding plan of care, and modifying BF p.o.c. as needed for a positive outcome.
• Safely and independently administers prescribed treatments, medications and nursing interventions based on breastfeeding assessment and plan of care. Initiates emergency action in response to acute risk situations.
• Appropriately organizes and prioritizes time based on higher acuity breastfeeding couplet, breastfeeding progress, and higher workload. Identifies changes in couplet breastfeeding status and acts accordingly. Knows and can activate resources to achieve positive BF outcomes for the couplet. Performs BF consultations at appropriate intervals.
• Identifies and communicates individualized patient needs for safe handoffs during transitions of care; the LC shares plan of care with primary nurse. Delegates aspects of care to nursing to meet couplet breastfeeding needs respectively and appropriately.
• Appropriately and correctly documents the patient/newborn response to interventions and progress towards outcomes, including variances/poor progress with breastfeeding in the electronic record. Provides assistance via telephone to pregnant and lactating women requiring information, counseling, follow-up, and refers them to appropriate programs.
• Able to discuss, document, and apply performance initiatives and outcomes at the unit level as they relate to the WellSpan Wildly Important Goals (WIGs) and Nursing Sensitive I (NSIs). Applies current WIGs to care delivery.
• Begins reading current breastfeeding literature. Expresses interest in evidence-based research and its application to best practice. Understands clinical relevance and the impact on couplet's breastfeeding outcomes.
• Actively promotes an environment conducive to professional practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and patient / staff safety. Integrates SDM by unit and/or hospital-wide committee membership or by supporting and helping fellow co-workers attend meetings and/or work on SDM projects.
• Promotes cooperation and communication among all team members. Seeks opportunities to assist co-workers without compromising individual responsibilities. Gives feedback to members about strengths and contributions. Consistently interacts with others in a manner that is perceived to be positive, supportive, and with sensitivity to cultural and role differences.
• Provides/demonstrates leadership for problem solving and goal formations at the point of care. Acts as a coach to CNI staff for clinical issues and advancement opportunities.
• Demonstrates ownership of patients beyond individual assignments. Anticipates needs for alteration of staffing for upcoming 24 hours and assists in actions to adjust. Flexible with schedule and assignments; adapts to changing unit conditions.
• Displays conflict resolution and negotiation skills to maximize team performance. Provides feedback in a positive and respectful way. Aware of and investigates events that led to conflict; recommends preventative measures or solutions.
• Identifies own areas of professional growth and development in performance improvement efforts; develops professional goals and follows through with such goals. Seeks mentoring and coaching from the CN III. Seeks learning opportunities and resources beyond work environment and uses new knowledge and skills acquired. Required education and competencies completed, including 30 CEUs. Meets mandatory criteria for CNAP II level.
• Supports the Keystone 10 initiatives by promoting "The 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding" and adheres to the international code of marketing of breastmilk substitutes.
• Variation of duties may result based on the assigned customer care unit(s). This may include differences in the specific clinical skills required of the RN. Unit based skill lists outline expectations beyond the house wide RN requirements. SYS-NURS-L Nursing Education Requirements Policy outlines current certification(s) required for specific areas of nursing practice and is considered to be part of the job description.
• In addition to requirements specified in the license and certification section below, current BLS certification for all areas of nursing practice is required. Current certification may be required for the following areas of nursing practice: Emergency Care Center - ACLS, PALS; Intensive Care Center & MSCC Lead - ACLS, PALS; L&D - ACLS, NRP, - Experienced L&D nurses will obtain within 6 months and new L&D nurses will obtain at 1 year of experience; NICU - NRPPEDS - PALS; PCC/PACU/ENDO - ACLS, PALS; Procedural - ACLS

Common Expectations:

• Provides direct care to patients who may range from infancy to middle adulthood. Demonstrates competency in the knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the range of the assigned patient population and provides appropriate, age specific treatment.
• Demonstrates a commitment to patient, family, visitor and staff by complying with all applicable safety regulations; learning the impact of medical errors and methodology that will lead to reduction of errors, as well as hazardous conditions.
• Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assessment, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
• Identifies opportunities to standardize processes and "error proof" systems that will lead to increased safety by participating in safety education programs and root cause analyses as required.
• Enhances professional growth and development through advanced / continuing education to maintain up-to-date knowledge, skills, and competencies.
• Provides outstanding service to all customers using caring behaviors, fosters teamwork, and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.