Lactation Consultant RN - Part-Time - Days in Elkhart, Indiana at Beacon Health System

Responsibilities include providing lactation management services to expectant and new parents. Provides breast-feeding training sessions for expectant and new mothers. Also provides lactation management services to clients on an outpatient basis. Oversees the retail sale (or rental) of breast-feeding related equipment. Reports to Director. EGH Nursing Purpose: To ensure safe, compassionate, innovative patient centered care, promote and engage in the advancement of evidenced-based nursing practice, create a culture of collaboration, professionalism and a healthy work environment.

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Assessment

• Creates an environment that promotes learning for staff and patients.
• Conducts and/or coordinates bedside lactation rounds daily for all inpatients (whether on Mother Baby or any other hospital unit) and arranges 24 hour on call availability by qualified individual (IBCLC or CLC).
• Stays current on lactation and breastfeeding developments.
• Has knowledge of socio-cultural and economic differences in populations served at EGH and provides appropriate care.
• Analyzes, evaluates, and interprets breastfeeding literature and scientific data.
• Provides telephone breastfeeding consultation/follow-up phone calls.

Planning

• Plans, teaches and evaluates classes for expectant and new breastfeeding mothers.
• Plans, teaches and conducts in-service education for nursing staff, physicians, physician practice staff and other agencies as requested.
• Plans, organizes and delivers lactation management services to all breastfeeding patients, both in-patient and out-patient
• Participates appropriately in communication and decision-making activities of the Lactation Center and maternity services.
• Plans, teaches and continually evaluates New Mom Support Group.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with community agencies and groups.
• Attends out-of-hospital meetings.

Implementation

• Consults with mothers having breastfeeding problems.
• Coordinates breast pump rentals and retail sales within Home Medical Equipment.
• Provides up to date information to various physicians regarding evidence based practices.
• Participates in community/hospital health fairs.
• Participates in the development of breastfeeding related standards or policies and hospital internet site information

Evaluation

• Possesses excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Conducts quality assurance programs to monitor the caliber of the program.
• Over-sees the financial performance of Lactation Services along with Unit Coordinators.
• Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department
• Completes other job-related duties and projects as assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Commitment to Beacon's six-point Operating System, referred to as The Beacon Way:

• Leverage innovation everywhere.
• Cultivate human talent.
• Embrace performance improvement.
• Build greatness through accountability.
• Use information to improve and advance.
• Communicate clearly and continuously.

Education and Experience

The knowledge, skills, and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through the successful completion of a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. Must have Indiana State RN licensure. A minimum of 2 to 5 years of job-related experience is required. Experience working closely with new moms and various breastfeeding issues is required. Ability to speak Spanish is a plus. After January 1, 2014, candidates are required to have or obtain a BSN within three years of employment as a Registered Nurse. Current certification as a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is required or must be obtained within 2 years of hire. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS/CPR) attained within 3 months of hire. Must maintain current CPR certification.

Knowledge & Skills

• Requires in-depth knowledge of lactation principles and practices.
• Requires the ability to successfully teach breast-feeding skills to mothers. Also requires the ability to conduct education programs for individuals and groups of various ages.
• Requires the ability to work effectively with a number of patient care units (Mother/Baby, NICU and Pediatrics) and various levels of care providers as needed.
• Requires a solid understanding of the Hospital's philosophy and standards as they relate to lactation management services.
• Requires the ability to interact effectively with individuals who may be under stress.
• Requires the ability to function independently as an outpatient educator.
• Demonstrates a good understanding of breast-feeding related outside resources.
• Demonstrates planning, organization and analytical skills.
• Requires the interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written) necessary to interact with a diverse group of clients (and their families). Also requires the ability to speak in a clear and concise manner.
• Demonstrates the ability to effective use audio-visual equipment and various teaching materials.

Working Conditions

• Works in a classroom and patient care environment requiring physical exertion, frequent changes in job demands and certain undesirable patient care activities.
• May be exposed to bio-hazards.

Physical Demands

• Requires the physical ability and stamina to perform the essential functions of the position.