Lactation Specialist PRN (NICU)

Arkansas Children’s Hospital; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Part time

Job summary

Arkansas Children’s Hospital is seeking a Lactation Specialist PRN for the NICU to provide expert lactation care to mothers and newborns. The role involves comprehensive assessment, education, documentation, and collaboration with an interdisciplinary team to optimize breastfeeding outcomes.

The position requires an Associate’s degree or 2 years of relevant experience, with a recommended Bachelor’s degree. Certifications include CLC or RN licensure with lactation credentials.

Qualifications

• Requires education or relevant experience in lactation
• Provides care for the mother–infant dyad in neonatal care
• Delivers breastfeeding education and counseling
• Communicates assessments to medical staff and documents in patient records
• Maintains lactation service competencies and participates in QA activities

Responsibilities

• Provides comprehensive lactation assessment for mother/infant dyad.
• Documents assessments and communicates with the medical team.
• Identifies mothers needing breastfeeding education and support.
• Develops plan of care with nursing, nutrition and medical staff.
• Participates in rounds, discharge planning, and lactation rounds.
• Creates patient teaching plans on lactation and related issues.
• Supports mothers with expressing, labeling, storing, and transporting milk.

Skills

Lactation support

Care planning

Education & counseling

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Associate's degree or 2 years relevant experience

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S IS A TOBACCO FREE WORKPLACE. FLU VACCINES ARE REQUIRED.

ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE CONSIDERATION FOR EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY, PROTECTED VETERAN STATUS OR ANY OTHER CHARACTERISTIC PROTECTED BY FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL LAWS.

This position has been designated as safety sensitive and cannot be filled by a candidate who is a current user of medical marijuana.

Time Type: Part time

Department: CC013130 3H Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Lactation Specialist PRN (NICU)

Functions independently in a staff position as an expert practitioner, consultant, educator and researcher within the lactation specialty. This individual possesses a high degree of knowledge, skill and competence in the provision of care directly to the patient, family or community and indirectly through guidance of care by other personnel.

Responsibilities

• 1. Provides comprehensive assessment of the mother/infant dyad and the breastfeeding/lactation process. Assesses the lactation status of the mother/ infant dyad.
• 2. Communicates assessments with the appropriate medical personnel through verbal reports and documentation in the patient's record. Assesses education needs of mothers.
• 3. Participates in the identification of mothers within the system who need assistance and/or breastfeeding education.
• 4. Develops plan of care with nursing, nutrition and the medical staff for mother/infant dyad, implements direct and indirect specialized patient care and evaluates the response to the treatment plan.
• 5. Participates actively with the interdisciplinary team on rounds, discharge planning, and Lactation Rounds.
• 6. Develops patient teaching plans on lactation and related issues.
• 7. Assists mothers who have problems breastfeeding. Provides education for mothers as needed on collecting, labeling, storing, transporting and delivering expressed breast milk while their infants are here in the hospital and when at home. Monitors progress of the breastfeeding mother/infant dyad and revises treatment plan as needed in collaboration with the medical team.
• 8. Participates in the quality improvement plan for the lactation service.
• 9. Assists the director with developing and maintaining policies and procedures for the Lactation Service. Assists the director with the development of the quality improvement (QI) plan for the Lactation Service. Collaborates with the Nutritional Services Director, Dieticians, and lactation technicians.
• 10. Identifies issues, communicates and collaborates effectively with other team members to find resolution.
• 11. Serves as an educational resource and participates in research activities while maintaining own level of clinical competency.
• 12. Contributes to the lactation learning needs of the nursing staff, medical residents, house staff and other hospital personnel as needed. Contributes to the breastfeeding education of the community as needed.
• 13. Initiates and/or assists in research projects specific to lactation. Participates in lactation continuing education activities for own professional growth. Participates in at least 12 inservice education activities per year.

Required Education

Associate's degree or 2 years of relevant experience

Recommended Education

Bachelor's Degree

Required Work Experience

Related Field - 1 year of experience

Recommended Work Experience

Required

Required Certifications

• Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC) - The Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice: TALPP.org
• Registered Nurse (RN) license - Arkansas or Compact State

Recommended Certifications

• International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) - International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners

Company Overview

Arkansas Children’s is the only hospital system in the state dedicated to caring for children, which enables us to uniquely shape the landscape of pediatric care in Arkansas. Arkansas Children’s is driven by four core values—safety, teamwork, compassion and excellence—which inform every action. Arkansas Children’s Hospital has received Magnet Status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), for nursing excellence and patient outcomes. And we are nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for Cancer, Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Diabetes & Endocrinology, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Pulmonology & Lung Surgery and Urology. For more than a century, Arkansas Children’s has met the unique needs of children. But we’re more than just a hospital treating sick kids—our services include two hospitals, a pediatric research institute, foundation, clinics, education and outreach, all with an unyielding commitment to making children better today and healthier tomorrow.

Arkansas Children’s Little Rock campus includes a 336-bed hospital with the state’s only pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center, burn center, Level 4 neonatal intensive care and pediatric intensive care, as well as a nationally-recognized transport service. And Arkansas Children’s Northwest provides inpatient and emergency care, clinic rooms and diagnostic services to children in that corner of the state.

“Arkansas Children’s is a place of hope and comfort for children and parents. When you are at children’s, you are part of an elite team united with a common goal of saving children and making their lives better.” – Michael – Business Operations Manager

“Arkansas Children’s Hospital is a prestigious institution that cares for children.” – Linda – Information Systems Analyst

“We are an organization of care, love, and hope while we champion children.” – Angela – Parking and Fleet Coordinator

“Care, love, and hope for children!” – Kathy – Administrative Assistant

“When I think of my time here at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, I can honestly say that it has given me a unique perspective on the human condition, and the various roles that we all have in patient care. Being a Champion for Children is more than a catch phrase, it is a way of life!” – Nick – Supply Assistant