Lactation Consultant

Lehigh Valley Health Network, Inc.; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown is seeking a Specialized RN Lactation Consultant to support breastfeeding families in the inpatient setting. You will assess, counsel, and collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to promote successful breastfeeding outcomes.

The role requires an IBCLC certification and PA RN licensure, along with strong teaching skills and the ability to engage patients, families, and healthcare providers across shifts.

Qualifications

• Specialized Diploma RN required.
• 3+ years lactation counseling experience.
• PA RN license upon hire.
• IBCLC certification required within 180 days.
• American Heart Association BLS on hire.
• Strong communication and education skills.

Responsibilities

• Orients new nursing staff to newborn feeding policy and practice guidelines.
• Consults with interdisciplinary team in development, implementation, and evaluation of breastfeeding protocols.
• Provides telephone information, counseling, and follow-up to pregnant and lactating women.
• Performs breastfeeding assessment, support, and counseling in routine and high-risk situations.
• Acts as clinical expert and consultant in breastfeeding care.
• Assists in developing policies and procedures related to breastfeeding.
• Plans, teaches, and conducts in-service education for maternal child health and nursing staff.
• Reviews current research and serves as a resource for families and healthcare providers.

Skills

Lactation counseling

RN licensure

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Patient advocacy

Education & teaching

Communication skills

Education

Specialized Diploma RN

IBCLC Certification

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing

Job description

Imagine a career at one of the nation’s most advanced health networks.

Be part of an exceptional health care experience. Join the inspired, passionate team at Lehigh Valley Health Network, a nationally recognized, forward-thinking organization offering plenty of opportunity to do great work.

LVHN has been ranked among the “Best Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report for 23 consecutive years. We’re a Magnet(tm) Hospital, having been honored five times with the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s prestigious distinction for nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes in our Lehigh Valley region. Finally, Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest, Lehigh Valley Hospital - Muhlenberg, Lehigh Valley Hospital- Hazleton, and Lehigh Valley Hospital - Pocono each received an ‘A’ grade on the Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group in 2020, the highest grade in patient safety. These recognitions highlight LVHN’s commitment to teamwork, compassion, and technology with an unrelenting focus on delivering the best health care possible every day.

Whether you’re considering your next career move or your first, you should consider Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Summary

Functions to enhance the normal process of lactation and prevents, assesses, and manages lactation problems in the in-patient setting. Focuses on the needs and concerns of the breastfeeding mother and infant(s) and advocates for the breastfeeding family in preventing, recognizing, and resolving breastfeeding difficulties while promoting improved breastfeeding outcomes. Functions within the Scope of Practice as defined by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and follows Standards of Practice as defined by their professional association, International Lactation Consultant Association; adheres to policies, procedures, and guidelines of care.

Job Duties

• Orients new nursing staff to the newborn feeding policy and practice guidelines.
• Consults with an interdisciplinary team in the development, implementation, and evaluation of breastfeeding protocols.
• Provides assistance via telephone to pregnant and lactating women requiring information, counseling, and follow-up.
• Provides breastfeeding assessment, support, and counseling in routine and high risk, complicated, clinical situations for the breastfeeding family in obstetrical and pediatric areas.
• Serves as a clinical expert and consultant in the care of the breastfeeding family.
• Assists in developing policies and procedures related to breastfeeding.
• Plans, teaches, and conducts in-service education for maternal child health and nursing staff providers.
• Reviews and maintains files of current research and literature and serves as a resource person to health care providers and breastfeeding families.

Minimum Qualifications

• Specialized Diploma RN
• 3 years of experience in lactation counseling.
• Ability to perform assessments and nursing functions as acquired in a basic nursing preparation program.
• Creates an environment that promotes learning for staff and families.
• Participates appropriately in communication and decision making activities.
• Knowledge of adult learning principles.
• Knowledge of consulting methods, tools, and techniques.
• Plans, teaches, and conducts education for healthcare providers.
• Plans, organizes, and delivers lactation management services to breastfeeding families.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, physicians, and coworkers being an advocate for the families.
• Ability to evaluate families response to care and initiate independent and/or collaborative changes where appropriate.
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support - State of Pennsylvania Upon Hire
• IBCLC-Intl Board Cert Lactation Consultant - State of Pennsylvania within 180 Days
• RN - Licensed Registered Nurse_PA - State of Pennsylvania Upon Hire

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree Nursing
• NRP - Neonatal Resuscitation Program - State of Pennsylvania within 1 Year

Physical Demands

Lift and carry 40-50 lbs. Examples: Push/pull patients on bed, stretcher (requires 29 lbs. push force), lateral transfers up to 50 lbs. of the patient’s weight. Frequent to continuous standing/walking. Patient transporters can walk 8-10 miles per shift. *Patient care providers may be required to perform activities specific to their role including kneeling, bending, squatting and performing CPR.

Job Description Disclaimer: This position description provides the major duties/responsibilities, requirements and working conditions for the position. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position, however management reserves the right to revise or change as necessary to meet organizational needs. Other responsibilities may be assigned when circumstances require.

Lehigh Valley Health Network is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with, and where applicable, in addition to federal, state and local employment regulations, Lehigh Valley Health Network will provide employment opportunities to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or other such protected classes as may be defined by law. All personnel actions and programs will adhere to this policy. Personnel actions and programs include, but are not limited to recruitment, selection, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, educational programs and/or social activities.

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Lehigh Valley Health Network does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Agencies should not forward resumes to our job aliases, our employees or any other organization location. Lehigh Valley Health Network is not responsible for any agency fees related to unsolicited resumes.

Work Shift:

Day Shift

Address:

1200 S Cedar Crest Blvd

Primary Location:

Lehigh Valley Hospital- Cedar Crest

Position Type:

Onsite

Union:

Not Applicable

Work Schedule:

0600-1430 with variable weekend/holiday rotation

Department:

1004-09400 Family Support Services - CC