Lactation Nurse- NICU- 36 hrs

Connecticut Children's; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Connecticut Children's in Hartford, CT seeks a Registered Nurse or APRN with IBCLC to support lactating mother-infant dyads in the NICU. You will plan, implement, and evaluate direct care and staff education while collaborating with the care team to ensure high-quality outcomes.

The role requires BSN, CT RN license, IBCLC certification, BLS, and NICU/post-partum experience. Expect a leadership position in lactation services and ongoing education and policy development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required.
• Minimum two years RN experience in NICU/maternal-child/post-partum/pediatric settings and one year lactation consultation.
• Current Connecticut RN license.
• IBCLC certification required within hire period.
• Current BLS certification.
• Connecticut LLC license or eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive lactation assessment, consultation, and individualized care plans.
• Support medically complex infants, children and lactating parents.
• Collaborate with physicians, APPs, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, dietitians, and social workers.
• Document assessments, education, interventions and outcomes in the EMR.
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and discharge planning.
• Lead and participate in quality improvement and regulatory readiness.
• Coordinate lactation resources including pumps and lactation spaces.
• Represent Connecticut Children's on committees and community initiatives.
• Mentor nurses, students and IBCLC candidates.
• Promote evidence-based practice and Joint Commission initiatives.

Skills

Lactation care

Staff education

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Evidence-based practice

Education

BSN degree

Tools

EMR documentation

Job description

Job Description
Registered Nurse or APRN with IBCLC will function under the Registered Nurse scope of practice and be accountable for planning, implementing, and evaluating direct care and staff education in support of lactating mother-infant dyads at CCMC. Primary area of responsibility is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Job Description
Registered Nurse or APRN with IBCLC will function under the Registered Nurse scope of practice and be accountable for planning, implementing, and evaluating direct care and staff education in support of lactating mother-infant dyads at CCMC. Primary area of responsibility is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive lactation assessment, consultation, and individualized plans of care.
• Support medically complex infants, children, and lactating parents.
• Collaborate with physicians, APPs, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, dietitians, and social work.
• Document assessments, education, interventions, and outcomes in the electronic medical record.
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and discharge planning.
• Provide patient, family, and staff education using evidence-based practice.
• Develop and update lactation policies, procedures, educational materials, and clinical guidelines.
• Lead and participate in quality improvement, regulatory readiness and research.
• Coordinate lactation resources including breast pumps and lactation spaces.
• Represent Connecticut Children's on committees and community initiatives.
• Serve as the hospital subject matter expert for lactation.
• Mentor nurses, students, and IBCLC candidates.
• Promote evidence-based practice and professional standards.
• Support Joint Commission and organizational quality initiatives.

Performs other job-related duties as assignedQualifications
Required Preferred
Education:

• Required: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Education:
Experience:

• Required: Minimum two years RN experience either in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), maternal-child, post-partum unit, pediatric inpatient unit, or outpatient lactation clinic and one year inpatient lactation consultation.

Experience:
License / Certification / Registration:

• Current Connecticut RN license.
• Current IBCLC certification REQUIRED upon hire.
• Current BLS certification.
• Connecticut Licensed Lactation Consultant (LLC)

License / Certification / Registration:
Knowledge

• As above

Skills

• As above

Abilities

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift clinical equipment, assist patients with positioning and feeding, and safely perform nursing duties.

Physical Demands & Environmental Conditions
Frequency
Never
Minimal
up to 25%
Occasional
25% - 50%
Frequent
50% - 75%
Constant
75% - 100%
Stand ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Walk ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Sit ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Manual Dexterity/Repetitive use of hands, wrists, arms, elbows ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Forward reach w/hands and/or arms ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Climb or balance ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Stoop, kneel, crouch ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Overhead/above shoulder reaching ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒Lifting: Floor to Waist
15 lbs ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
15 - 25 lbs. ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
25 - 40 lbs. ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
50 lbs. ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐Lifting: Waist to Shoulder
15 lbs ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
15 - 25 lbs. ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
25 - 40 lbs. ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
50 lbs. ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐Lifting: Above Shoulder
15 lbs ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
15 - 25 lbs. ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
25 - 40 lbs. ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
50 lbs. ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐Pushing / Pulling
15 lbs ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
15 - 25 lbs. ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
25 - 40 lbs. ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
50 – 100 lbs ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
More than 100 lbs.*
(push/pull on wheels only)

• indicate weight range

☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐Environmental Conditions
Indoor ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Exposure to Outdoors/Weather ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
High Temperatures/Humidity ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Extreme Cold Temperatures ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Exposure to bloodborn pathogens / bodily fluids ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Intense Noise Level ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Exposure to Radiation ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Exposure to Fumes ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Exposure to Heights ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Exposure to Confined Spaces ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Driving ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Specify any other physical requirements required to perform an essential job function, not listed above: Significant bending over equipment. Significant walking, ability to transport equipment, lifting, sitting. Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so the requirements of the position can be fully met. Education and/or Experience Required:

• Education Required: Must possess a degree or diploma from an accredited nursing program for registered nurses.
• Experience Required: Minimum of one-year hospital-based nursing experience required.

Education and/or Experience Preferred:

• Education Preferred: BSN preferred.
• Experience Preferred: NICU, special care nursery, or postpartum experience strongly preferred.
• Minimum of one-year hospital-based nursing experience required; NICU, special care nursery, or postpartum experience strongly preferred.

License and/or Certification Required:

• Registered nurse, or APRN licensed to practice nursing in the State of Connecticut.
• International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) certification required or acquired within one year.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR in adult, child & infant is required upon hire and maintained thereafter.

About Us
Connecticut Children's is the only health system in Connecticut that is 100% dedicated to children. Established on a legacy that spans more than 100 years, Connecticut Children's offers personalized medical care in more than 30 pediatric specialties across Connecticut and in two other states. Our transformational growth establishes us as a destination for specialized medicine and enables us to reach more children in locations that are closer to home. Our breakthrough research, superior education and training, innovative community partnerships, and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion provide a welcoming and inspiring environment for our patients, families and team members. At Connecticut Children's, treating children isn’t just our job – it’s our passion. As a leading children’s health system experiencing steady growth, we’re excited to expand our team with exceptional team members who share our vision of transforming children’s health and well-being as one team.