Lactation Consultant

Lactation Consultant Rn

With a commitment to patient- and family-centered care, the Lactation Consultant RN uses the nursing process in ways that values the uniqueness of each individual and addresses the physical, psychological, emotional, and social needs of the diversity of patients served by Jefferson Health. The Lactation Consultant RN is responsible for providing safe, family-centered patient care by assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating lactation plans for the breastfeeding/chest-feeding dyad, as well as for the pumping parent, and is fully collaborative with the patient, patient's family, significant others, and members of the health care team. The Lactation Consultant demonstrates specialized knowledge and clinical expertise in breastfeeding/chest-feeding and human lactation.

Job Duties

• Interacts with co-workers, patients, their family/designated care partner(s), and other staff consistent with the values of Jefferson.
• Integrates Evidence-Based Practice, clinical expertise, patients, their family/designated care partner(s) preferences and cultural beliefs and values for delivery of optimal healthcare.
• Partners with patients, their family/designated care partner(s)) in identifying learning needs and priorities and provides education in ways that are useful, understandable, and affirming.
• Minimizes risk of harm to patients and others by following established nursing practices and protocols and individual performance.
• Uses information technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support ethical decision-making.
• Uses data to monitor the outcomes of care processes and uses improvement methods to design and test changes to continuously improve the quality and safety of patient care.
• Functions effectively within nursing and inter-professional teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making to achieve quality patient care.
• Recognizes the patients, their family/designated care partner(s) in providing safe, compassionate and coordinated care based on respect for patient's personal preferences, priorities, needs, and cultural beliefs and values.
• Creates an environment of belonging and inclusion, demonstrating skills in problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Demonstrates a commitment to learning and seeks opportunities for continued professional growth and development and acts in primary preceptor role to appropriate staff members
• Actively participates in hospital- and practice setting-based committees, including safety and quality improvement.
• Demonstrates willingness to give and receive feedback and integrates appropriate changes into practice.
• Provides consultation to inpatients and/or outpatients regarding lactation to meet care needs.
• Offering post-delivery consultative care to patients: breastfeeding/chest feeding, family bonding and planning, etc.
• Evaluating patient's response to care and initiates independent and/or collaborative changes where appropriate
• May facilitate prenatal classes in the ambulatory setting
• May support the ambulatory practices with lactation training and consultation

Minimum Qualifications

• Specialized Diploma Graduate of an accredited school of nursing required and
• 2 years experience in maternal/child nursing. Demonstrated experience in planning, implementing and evaluating teaching/learning experiences.
• Patient-and Family-Centered PracticeKnowledge of how to convey respect and collaborate with each patient, family and/or designated care partner in care and care planning.
• Cultural AwarenessKnowledge of people with diverse backgrounds and the ability to convey respect and connect effectively.
• Effective CommunicationUnderstanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques, ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors. Uses the language of partnership with patients and families, engaging them in their health and health care. Appropriately and respectfully delegates to other team members.
• Patient Assessment and CareKnowledge of and ability to assess ailments and injuries of patients and implement a treatment plan.
• Patient and Designated Care Partner EducationKnowledge of child and adult education techniques and the ability to elicit learning priorities and needs and educate patients and their designated care partners on the patient's condition, the treatment and medications suggested and given, and the next steps in the patient's recovery.
• Discharge PlanningKnowledge of the patient's post-discharge needs and the ability to partner with the patient and family/designated care partner(s) in developing a discharge plan and arranging for follow-up care.
• Assessment and DiagnosisKnowledge of various tools and techniques for patient assessment and nursing diagnosis or clinical judgement, ability to explore and analyze reasons behind symptoms and generate resolutions according to available drugs, facilities and techniques.
• Health Information DocumentationKnowledge of the relevance of health information and appropriate documentation methods, ability to record medical histories, symptoms, vital signs, medications, diagnoses, treatment plans, procedures, tests, and medical results in written or electronic form.
• BLS - Basic Life Support AHA - American Heart Association
• IBCLC - International Board Certified Lactation Consultant - International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners
• RN - Licensed Registered Nurse_PA - State of Pennsylvania

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree BSN or completion of BSN within 3 years of hire strongly preferred

Additional Qualifications

Physical Demands Lift and carry 40-50 lbs. Examples: Push/pull patients on bed, stretcher (requires 29 lbs. push force), lateral transfers up to 50 lbs. of the patient's weight. Frequent to continuous standing/walking. Patient transporters can walk 8-10 miles per shift. *Patient care providers may be required to perform activities specific to their role including kneeling, bending, squatting and performing CPR.

Work Shift

Rotating (United States of America)

Worker Sub Type

Regular

Employee Entity

Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Inc.

Primary Location Address

833 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America