Lactation Consultant

Job Description Summary

Under general supervision, the Lactation Consultant provides care to meet the lactation needs of the patient population on the Mother Baby Unit, Neonatal ICU, pediatric cardiac ICU, pediatric and adult units as needed. The lactation team members rotate through the various units. Lactation consultants practice in accordance with the Standards of Practice of IBLCE. The Lactation Consultant provides evidence-based lactation support and clinical management within a framework of systematic problem-solving in collaboration with the client and other members of the health care team. The lactation team conducts daily breastfeeding rounds on the inpatient Mother Baby Unit and high-risk neonatal nurseries with mothers and infants who have identified lactation problems and those who require ongoing support. The Lactation Consultant coordinates counseling, equipment and support of mothers who are breast pumping for their high-risk infants. The Lactation Consultant completes assessments, develops appropriate interventions, assists and teaches clients and documents consults in EPIC. The Lactation Consultant provides education and preceptor opportunities for various health care professionals, including nurses, nursing students, medical students, residents, fellows, and dietitians. Participation in lactation related committees is also required.

Entity

Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Regular

Cost Center

CC000498 CHS - Lacatation Center (SJCH)

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

Health-28

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

Job Description

Hours Per Week:   40

Job Summary/Purpose: Under general supervision, the Lactation Consultant provides care to meet the lactation needs of the patient population on the Mother Baby Unit,  Neonatal ICU, pediatric cardiac ICU,  pediatric and adult units as needed. The lactation team members rotate through the various units. Lactation consultants practice in accordance with the Standards of Practice of IBLCE. The Lactation Consultant provides evidence-based lactation support and clinical management within a framework of systematic problem-solving in collaboration with the client and other members of the health care team. The lactation team conducts daily breastfeeding rounds on the inpatient Mother Baby Unit and high-risk neonatal nurseries with mothers and infants who have identified lactation problems and those who require ongoing support. The Lactation Consultant coordinates counseling, equipment and support of mothers who are breast pumping for their high-risk infants. The Lactation Consultant completes assessments, develops appropriate interventions, assists and teaches clients and documents consults in EPIC. The Lactation Consultant provides education and preceptor opportunities for various health care professionals, including nurses, nursing students, medical students, residents, fellows, and dietitians. Participation in lactation related committees is also required.

Minimum Training and Education: A minimum of three years of work experience as a registered nurse required with at least 1 year of experience practicing as an IBCLC in a high-volume Baby Friendly designated hospital preferred. 

Bachelor of Nursing degree preferred. RN staff hired on or after July 1, 2013 with an Associate or Diploma degree in nursing are required to be enrolled in an accredited BSN program within two years and successfully obtain a BSN degree within four years of the RN hire or reclassification date. Refer to policy A141 for more details.

Required Licensure, Certifications, Registrations:  Certification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is required.  Licensure as a registered nurse by the South Carolina Board of Nursing or a compact state. Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is required. Will also consider Registered Dieticians (RD), Occupational Therapists (OT), Speech Language Pathologists (SLP), and Physical Therapists (PT).

Additional Job Description

Physical and Mental Requirements:  Ability to perform job functions while standing. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while sitting. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking. (Continuous) Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work outside in temperature extremes. (Infrequent) Ability to work from elevated areas. (Frequent) Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Frequent) Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions. (Infrequent) Ability to bend at the waist. (Continuous) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to squat and perform job functions. (Frequent) Ability to perform "pinching" operations. (Frequent) Ability to perform gross motor activities with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to perform firm grasping with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to perform fine manipulation with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to reach overhead. (Frequent) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous) Ability to use lower extremities for balance and coordination. (Frequent) Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift/lower objects 50 lbs. from/to floor from/to 36 inches unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift from 36" to overhead 25 lbs. (Infrequent) Ability to exert up to 50 lbs. of force. (Frequent) Examples include: To transfer a 100 lb. patient that can not assist in the transfer requires 50 lbs. of force. For every 100 additional pounds, assistance will be required from another healthcare worker. 20 lbs. of force is needed to push a 400 lb. patient in a wheelchair on carpet. 25 lbs. of force is required to push a stretcher with a patient with one hand. Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand or at a distance. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to deal effectively with stressful situations. (Continuous) Ability to work rotating shifts. (Frequent) Ability to work overtime as required. (Frequent) Ability to work in a latex safe environment. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) (Selected Positions) *Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) *(Selected Positions) *Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and as required. (Continuous) (Selected Positions)

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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