International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

Division: Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Classification: HD Public Health and Prevention Specialist III

Direct Supervisor: Cedar Park WIC Team Lead

This is a part-time position that performs highly complex (senior-level) public health work. The IBCLC provides clinical lactation support and counseling for WIC clients who are having breastfeeding problems beyond the scope of the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor or Nutritionist's skill levels. The IBCLC assists in training of WIC employees and other health care professionals as well as outreach to the community on the benefits and management of breastfeeding to support WIC program goals. The IBCLC may work outside of the WIC Clinic environment, including making home or hospital visits to WIC clients and may be assigned to work after regular clinic hours, including occasional non-traditional work hours. May serve as a lead worker providing direction to others. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. This job description outlines the primary duties of the role; however, additional related duties may be assigned.

Data Analytics/Assessment

• Accurately completes documentation as required in TXIN, to include lactation counseling notes, follow-up notes, and pump issuance and retrieval documentation for follow-up and evaluation purposes.
• Changes appointment date/time in the TXIN system as needed to assure accuracy of appointments scheduled
• Assists the Breastfeeding Coordinator, Team Leads and/or WIC Director with clinic appointment schedules for IBCLC (High Risk) appointments and Pre-natal Breastfeeding classes
• Evaluates BF promotion/support activities and implements necessary changes to ensure that breastfeeding rates increase at the Local Agency

Policy Development/Program Planning

• Participate in QI activities to support a culture of Quality Improvement within the WIC division
• Assists with reports, inventories, and distribution of breast pumps, breastfeeding aids, and other breastfeeding materials for all WIC clinics.
• Participates in Breastfeeding Coordinator Sharing Sessions along with Local Agency Breastfeeding Coordinator and shares information and updates from the sessions with appropriate staff, as needed
• Assists in formulating definitions, standards, processes and policies for effective and efficient rendering of breastfeeding related WIC services and the enforcement of related policies, laws and regulations
• Reconciles breast pump issuance logs, investigating discrepancies and documenting outcome for continuous quality improvement and assists in completion of Quality Management Plan

Communication and Cultural Competency

• Follows the local agency High Risk Referral Policy and procedures for follow up with High-Risk Lactation Referrals
• Teaches breastfeeding classes and leads support groups for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, or mentor BFPCs leading group meetings as deemed appropriate by local agency
• Provides lactation evaluation and consultations with WIC clients experiencing problems with breastfeeding by telephone, virtual video appointment, WIC clinic visit, and/or hospital or home visit, as deemed necessary
• Coordinates the breastfeeding client's care and follow-up with the physician, family, and/ or WIC staff as necessary and appropriate to assure efficient service to clients.
• Makes referrals for medical follow-up or other services as needed.
• Ensures timely follow-up services by telephone, virtual video appointment, WIC clinic visits, and/or hospital or home visit, as deemed necessary
• May be assigned to consult WIC clients with high-risk situations during non-traditional work hours and/or on weekends
• Completes follow-up with multi-user pump retrieval protocol as warranted.
• Complies with state and local WIC policies regarding the issuance of breast pumps and specialized equipment specific for breastfeeding problems as appropriate
• Maintains, cleans, and inventories breast pumps and supplies according to schedule and policy

Community Partnership

• Distributes breastfeeding information and promotes breastfeeding in the clinic(s) and at educational events.
• Provides information and promotes breastfeeding among peers.
• Answer program questions for interested individuals and applicants as needed. Refer questions regarding nutrition and formula to the appropriate staff.
• Participates in community outreach activities (must participate in at least 3 events annually, unless otherwise directed)
• Provides coverage and participates in breastfeeding support groups, prenatal and postnatal classes on various breastfeeding topics.
• Assists with Nutrition Education and Breastfeeding classes as requested by Team Lead
• Networks with other health professionals and community organizations to promote and support Breastfeeding in the community
• Participates on committees with internal and external partner agencies as requested
• Collaborates with community partners to improve breastfeeding rates and success

Public Health Sciences

• Assesses breastfeeding situations and provides counseling to potentially high-risk mothers and infants.
• Refers participants to appropriate professionals either internally or externally for high-risk medical, physical, or emotional conditions. Participants identified as having a "red flag" will be immediately referred to receive urgent medical care.
• Provide support of WIC breastfeeding activities including ensuring the clinic environment at each WIC location promotes and supports breastfeeding
• Ensures that all individual lactation counseling and nutrition education classes that address infant feeding promote breastfeeding as the preferred way to feed an infant
• Provides client care as appropriate within the scope of practice guidelines for an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
• Receives referrals from breastfeeding peer counselors (BFPCs) other WIC staff, and local providers for WIC mothers who may be experiencing complex maternal and infant breastfeeding problems beyond their scope of practice or expertise
• Provides concise, relevant, and sound lactation counseling
• Counsels any potential high-risk mothers needing nipple shields, breast pumps or other instruction on use of equipment for complex breastfeeding situations
• Refers mothers and infants in a timely manner when complexity of breastfeeding problems necessitates medical intervention or when problems are in an area other than breastfeeding

Leadership and Systems Thinking

• Follows International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners Professional Standards
• Provides breastfeeding training for peer counselors and WIC staff, and assists in providing training and education in lactation management as deemed appropriate by local agency
• Mentors new BFPCs through shadowing opportunities and ongoing guidance
• Communicates with other health professionals regarding high-risk cases, and refers mothers with medical concerns beyond the IBCLC Scope of Practice
• Completes annual required training as required by WIC and WCCHD policies and guidelines
• Participates in professional development opportunities as determined appropriate by local agency
• Attends Breastfeeding Peer Counselor staff meetings as scheduled throughout the year
• Serves as the Designated Breastfeeding Expert (DBE) for WCCHD WIC clinic sites
• Assists Breastfeeding Coordinator and/or WIC Director with breastfeeding training and technical breastfeeding support to Breastfeeding Peer Counselors or WIC Professional Staff as needed
• Maintains thorough working knowledge of state and local WIC policies and procedures and WCCHD policies and business practices
• Maintains thorough knowledge of TXIN system

Other

• May participate on a WCCHD committee or task force
• Performs related work as assigned
• Maintains organized and orderly work areas
• In the event of a public health emergency, employees may be called upon to support WCCHD's response in ways that are outside the usual scope of their job responsibilities. This may involve working hours that are outside the employee's usual work hours. Employees will not be required to perform duties that are outside of their competence or professional licensure.

Education, Licensure, Certifications, Experience

• Graduation from a standard senior high school or equivalent is required.
• Current certification as an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLC) required (please upload certification to application)
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a clinic, hospital and/or public health environment is required
• Experience providing customer service in a health-related role preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
• CPR certified