Healthy Start Lactation Counselor

Healthy Start Lactation Counselor

Join our team at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and experience world-class patient care at its best. Located in sunny Florida's Treasure Coast, Indian River Hospital is committed to providing optimal family- and community-focused services. Here, you will be part of a collaborative, compassionate, and innovative team of caregivers. You will work with state-of-the-art technology and will build a rewarding career with one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the world.

The Healthy Start Coalition at Indian River Hospital offers a variety of programs and services to support pregnant women and families with children under three years old. As a Lactation Counselor, you will provide in-home breastfeeding and bedside support for new mothers. You will provide them with essential education and assistance to help prevent and handle common lactation concerns through individualized teaching lessons and services. This role offers an excellent avenue in which to enhance your nursing skills while making a lasting difference in the lives of parents and their babies every day.

A PRN caregiver in this position works varying shifts, including 3rd shift hours, weekends and holidays.

A caregiver who excels in this role will:

• Provide basic lactation instruction, support and anticipatory guidance to new mothers promoting optimal breastfeeding.
• Educate and assist mothers to prevent and handle common lactation concerns at the bedside, in individualized education sessions and subsequent telephone calls.
• Encourage clients to participate in the TLC newborn program which provides further postpartum guidance and support.
• Create and maintain a positive image of the Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition, Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and the Healthy Start programs.
• Respect each participant by keeping information strictly confidential.
• Keep accurate records of all contact made with clients.
• Maintain and submit all required family and program documentation in a timely manner according to guidelines.
• Prepare and maintain various reports and documents using computer applications when applicable with attention to detail.
• Participate in required continuing education and program trainings provided by CCIRH and the Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition (including staff meetings).
• Refer mothers, according to established protocols, to the IBCLC, physician, nurse and community resources as necessary.

Minimum qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

• High School Diploma / GED
• Valid Driver's License (VDL), reliable transportation and a personal vehicle
• Certified Lactation Counselor through an accredited program
• Experience working with breastfeeding mothers/infants, child development and maternal health
• Experience with Health Families or Healthy Start intake and assessments
• Knowledge of community resources, maternal and child health systems and home visiting programs in Indian River County
• Knowledge of programs, policies and legislation on state, national and international levels that promote, protect and support breastfeeding

Preferred qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

• Spanish fluency
• One to two years of related experience

Physical Requirements:

• May need to move around intermittently during the day, including sitting, standing, stooping, bending and ambulating. May need to remain still for extended periods, including sitting and standing.
• Work evenings and weekends may be required.
• May need to lift boxes or carry objects.
• Possess dexterity to operate a PC and other office equipment.
• Exposure to communicable diseases and/or body fluids.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.

The policy of Cleveland Clinic Health System and its system hospitals (Cleveland Clinic Health System) is to provide equal opportunity to all of our caregivers and applicants for employment in our drug free environment. All offers of employment are followed by testing for controlled substances.

Cleveland Clinic Health System administers an influenza prevention program. You will be required to comply with this program, which will include obtaining an influenza vaccination on an annual basis or obtaining an approved exemption.

Decisions concerning employment, transfers and promotions are made upon the basis of the best qualified candidate without regard to color, race, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran or any other characteristic protected by law. Information provided on this application may be shared with any Cleveland Clinic Health System facility.

If applying for a Florida position, please see the following website for more information on the background screening requirements required by the Agency of Health Care Administration:

Please review the Equal Employment Opportunity poster.

Cleveland Clinic is pleased to be an equal employment opportunity employer.