Lactation Consultant

CHS Children's Hospital and Health System, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Children's Wisconsin is seeking a Lactation Consultant to join the Lactation Service team. You will provide expert lactation support, education, and coordination of breastfeeding care for families, collaborating with physicians and nurses.

The role emphasizes advanced clinical expertise in lactation, patient-centered guidance, and adherence to hospital standards. Demonstrated nursing experience and credentialing will be essential for success.

Qualifications

• RN with BSN required; ADN grandfathered for hires before 2015.
• BLS/CPR required per hospital policy.
• Minimum 2+ years in maternal/child, pediatric, or NICU settings.

Responsibilities

• Apply nursing processes in assessment and care planning.
• Collaborate with providers for infant nutrition and family education.
• Coordinate discharge planning related to lactation needs.
• Teach and support staff and families about breastfeeding.
• Maintain credentialing and pursue ongoing lactation education.
• Engage in data collection and evidence-based practice in lactation.
• Update orders and documents in the electronic health record.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Clinical nursing knowledge

Physical stamina

Education

BSN

RN licensure

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

At Children’s Wisconsin, we believe kids deserve the best. Children’s Wisconsin is a nationally recognized health system dedicated solely to the health and well being of children. We provide primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, community health services, foster and adoption services, child and family counseling, child advocacy services and family resource centers. Our reputation draws patients and families from around the country. We offer a wide variety of rewarding career opportunities and are seeking individuals dedicated to helping us achieve our vision of the healthiest kids in the country. If you want to work for an organization that makes a difference for children and families, and encourages you to be at your best every day,

Schedule: 12 hours every other weekend or 8 hours every other weekend with another set or rotating 8 hour day in the pay period

Job Summary

The Lactation Consultant is a partner in care in the Lactation Service of Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Functions as a member of the health care team working in the service of breastfeeding families. Provides consultation with advanced clinical expertise in the field of human lactation through assessment, education, and resourcing. Supports the initiation and continuation of the mothers desired breastfeeding experience. Functions within professional and hospital standards.

Essential Functions

• Nursing Process: Applies principles of growth and development in obtaining assessment and in consultative care.
  • Therapeutic and individualized communication with families and in provision of care.
  • Acts within scope of role.
  • Indicates plan of care in the electronic health record.
• Care Management: Collaborates with providers for optimal nutrition of infant and advocates on behalf of families in the provision of human milk. Assists in the management of high risk/complicated infant nutritional needs. Works in partnership with ancillary team members in the proper nutritional provision of the infant/child. Supports and facilitates the function of centralized milk preparation with the family.
• Discharge Planning: Assesses need of family for discharge and coordinates services in support of breastfeeding prior to discharge. Works in partnership with ICM for lactation home needs.
• Teaching: Supports staff, inpatient, and community education as representative of CHW Lactation Service. Advocates for the promotion of breastfeeding. Provides for continuing education in partnership with educational services. Assists in the education of lactation staff and in RN orientation.
• Professional Development: Maintains credentialing as defined by the certifying board. Pursues continuing education relevant to lactation consultant practice. Maintains membership in lactation related professional organization.
• Research: Supports and collaborates with nurse researchers and physician researchers in the field of lactation. Serves as clinical expert in the science and evidence based practice of lactation.
• Organizational Responsibility: Collaborates with PCM on service goals, and supports the service through active participation in goal outcomes. Maintains working relationships with in the health system and assists in alignment of key areas of provision. Maintains working relationships within the community and with community providers.
• Uses the electronic health record to update patient feeding orders and documents on care provision.
• Maintains integrity of computer/printer systems.
• Follows aseptic technique as well as hospital infection control policies regarding feeding handling.
• Wears proper protective equipment (hair covers, gloves, masks, and gowns).

Legacy Essential Functions

• Assists in obtaining data and outcomes information for submission to CHW teams as needed.

Education

• Graduate of accredited school of nursing with a BSN. (RN staff hired prior to 8-2-15 with ADN are grandfathered)

Required Experience

• 2+ years in maternal/child, pediatric or NICU setting

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Possess willingness and initiative to successfully complete educational requirements.
• Follows guidelines of the International Lactation Consultant Association.
• Knowledge of the principles of neonatal, pediatric, and adolescent growth and development and child/family responses to crisis.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to gather and share information with physicians, patients, parents, visitors, and co-workers in a courteous and professional manner.
• Ability to walk and stand for up to 100% of the time.
• Ability to lift/carry, push/pull weights of approximately 20 lbs. and occasionally up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to reach with good upper extremity range.

Licenses and Certifications

• BLS-Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider - American Heart Association/American Red Cross/National Safety Council required
• License RN-Registered Nurse (30) - State of Wisconsin required

Patient Care Responsibility

• Provides care appropriate to patient population and as described in applicable policies and procedures.

Required for All Jobs

• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be requested in the performance of this job.
• Employment is at-will. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise.

Children's Wisconsin is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees. We treat everyone with dignity, respect, and fairness. We do not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status or condition protected by the law.

Certifications/Licenses: BLS-Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider - American Heart Association/American Red Cross/National Safety Council, License RN-Registered Nurse (30) - State of Wisconsin

Dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. We are the region's only independent healthcare system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. In Milwaukee and throughout the state, we provide kids and their families a wide range of care and support - everything from routine care for ear aches or sore throats to life saving advances and treatment options. Our academic partner, The Medical College of Wisconsin, brings many of the nation's most well-respected doctors to our team. Together we work to ensure that every child and family we serve receives nothing but the best. Learn more about our affiliation with the Medical College of Wisconsin and the power of academic medicine.