Lactation specialist job description
Updated March 14, 2024
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Example lactation specialist requirements on a job description
Lactation specialist requirements can be divided into technical requirements and required soft skills. The lists below show the most common requirements included in lactation specialist job postings.
Sample lactation specialist requirements
- Possess a valid Nursing License
- Experience working with pregnant women
- Certified in Lactation Education
- Knowledge of current breastfeeding guidelines
- Ability to provide breastfeeding education
Sample required lactation specialist soft skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Patience and empathy
- Organizational and time management skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Cultural sensitivity and awareness
Lactation specialist job description example 1
Adventist Medical Center - Portland lactation specialist job description
Adventist Health is more than an award-winning health system. We provide whole-person care to our communities and champion the greater good - from the operating room to the boardroom, we are driven by our unique passion to live God's love through health, wholeness and hope. From Oregon to Oahu, we have a calling to always do more. Now is your chance to apply your passion to our mission.
We're looking for someone to join our team as a Lactation Specialist who:
Provides inpatient lactation services to women and their families adapting the instruction and care to the lifestyle, cultural lifestyle, cultural background and socio-economic status of the patient. Works in collaboration with the direct nursing staff and the physician to assist the patient in achieving a satisfactory start to successful breastfeeding. Assists in the implementation of short and long range goals applying to breastfeeding that are identified by the nursing staff providing direct patient care.
Essential Functions:
* Employs an interdisciplinary approach to providing comprehensive newborn assessment and lactation support. Facilitates the coordination of all necessary services for patients and families. Coordinates patient care for hospital admissions, specialty referrals, and ancillary support departments based on the assessment from the newborn visit. Within the assigned service area of operation, contacts every woman who has delivered a newborn, offers telephonic assessment and lactation support, generates a nursing care plan, and monitors follow up. Assesses the needs of the mother and her newborn in the post-partum period. Documents identified high risk factors and problems, which may require consultation and intervention, and plans for appropriate follow up.
* Collaborates with other members of the health care team to identify parent's educational and competency gaps related to breastfeeding and newborn assessment. Conducts and documents individual or family lactation or newborn visits to address the identified gaps associated with the newborn or lactation visit. In collaboration with other members of the healthcare team, assesses staff knowledge and identifies competency-based educational needs of staff related to breastfeeding patients and newborn assessment. Provides both formal and informal medical and nursing staff education services in a manner that is consistent, uniform, efficient and cost-effective. Evaluates the effectiveness of the education and modifies educational plans as needed.
* Provides daily assessment and support of new mothers and infants in conjunction with the nursing staff. Appropriately documents breastfeeding assessments, interventions and plan of care in the medical record. Communicates breastfeeding assessment and plan of care with bedside nurse to ensure continuity. Performs duties of the clinical nurse in assigned setting when necessary. Assists with development and updating of lactation protocols in collaboration with a health care team of physicians, nurse practitioner, midwife, social workers, and nutritionists. Teaches group prenatal newborn care and lactation classes. Provides education and mentoring to health care professionals. Mentors nursing staff in providing inpatient education.
* Communicates and markets breastfeeding education programs to a broad target audience using appropriate methods, and based on identified/assessed needs. Provides breastfeeding education to obstetrical and pediatric care providers in the community. Communicates the assessment and plan of care to the mother and/or baby's doctor when seen in the outpatient clinic.
* Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
You'll be successful with the following qualifications:
Education:
* High School Education/GED or equivalent: Preferred
* Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education/related experience: Preferred
Work Experience:
* Two years relevant experience: Preferred
* Experience teaching health education classes and facilitating support groups: Preferred
Required Licenses/Certifications:
* Certified Lactation Consultants: Required
* Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification: Preferred
* Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the state of practice: Preferred
Adventist Health is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our associates and patients. Therefore, we require that all associates receive all required vaccinations, including, but not limited to, measles, mumps, flu (based on the seasonal availability of the flu vaccine typically during October-March each year), COVID-19 vaccine (required in CA, HI and OR) etc., as a condition of employment, and annually thereafter. Medical and religious exemptions may apply.
We're looking for someone to join our team as a Lactation Specialist who:
Provides inpatient lactation services to women and their families adapting the instruction and care to the lifestyle, cultural lifestyle, cultural background and socio-economic status of the patient. Works in collaboration with the direct nursing staff and the physician to assist the patient in achieving a satisfactory start to successful breastfeeding. Assists in the implementation of short and long range goals applying to breastfeeding that are identified by the nursing staff providing direct patient care.
Essential Functions:
* Employs an interdisciplinary approach to providing comprehensive newborn assessment and lactation support. Facilitates the coordination of all necessary services for patients and families. Coordinates patient care for hospital admissions, specialty referrals, and ancillary support departments based on the assessment from the newborn visit. Within the assigned service area of operation, contacts every woman who has delivered a newborn, offers telephonic assessment and lactation support, generates a nursing care plan, and monitors follow up. Assesses the needs of the mother and her newborn in the post-partum period. Documents identified high risk factors and problems, which may require consultation and intervention, and plans for appropriate follow up.
* Collaborates with other members of the health care team to identify parent's educational and competency gaps related to breastfeeding and newborn assessment. Conducts and documents individual or family lactation or newborn visits to address the identified gaps associated with the newborn or lactation visit. In collaboration with other members of the healthcare team, assesses staff knowledge and identifies competency-based educational needs of staff related to breastfeeding patients and newborn assessment. Provides both formal and informal medical and nursing staff education services in a manner that is consistent, uniform, efficient and cost-effective. Evaluates the effectiveness of the education and modifies educational plans as needed.
* Provides daily assessment and support of new mothers and infants in conjunction with the nursing staff. Appropriately documents breastfeeding assessments, interventions and plan of care in the medical record. Communicates breastfeeding assessment and plan of care with bedside nurse to ensure continuity. Performs duties of the clinical nurse in assigned setting when necessary. Assists with development and updating of lactation protocols in collaboration with a health care team of physicians, nurse practitioner, midwife, social workers, and nutritionists. Teaches group prenatal newborn care and lactation classes. Provides education and mentoring to health care professionals. Mentors nursing staff in providing inpatient education.
* Communicates and markets breastfeeding education programs to a broad target audience using appropriate methods, and based on identified/assessed needs. Provides breastfeeding education to obstetrical and pediatric care providers in the community. Communicates the assessment and plan of care to the mother and/or baby's doctor when seen in the outpatient clinic.
* Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
You'll be successful with the following qualifications:
Education:
* High School Education/GED or equivalent: Preferred
* Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education/related experience: Preferred
Work Experience:
* Two years relevant experience: Preferred
* Experience teaching health education classes and facilitating support groups: Preferred
Required Licenses/Certifications:
* Certified Lactation Consultants: Required
* Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification: Preferred
* Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the state of practice: Preferred
Adventist Health is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our associates and patients. Therefore, we require that all associates receive all required vaccinations, including, but not limited to, measles, mumps, flu (based on the seasonal availability of the flu vaccine typically during October-March each year), COVID-19 vaccine (required in CA, HI and OR) etc., as a condition of employment, and annually thereafter. Medical and religious exemptions may apply.
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Lactation specialist job description example 2
Arkansas Children's Hospital lactation specialist job description
Day Shift
**Time Type:**
Full time
**Department:**
CC013130 3H Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
**Summary:**
Functions independently in a staff position as an expert practitioner, consultant, educator and researcher within the lactation specialty. This individual possesses a high degree of knowledge, skill and competence in the provision of care directly to the patient, family or community and indirectly through guidance of care by other personnel.
**Additional Information:**
**Required Education:**
Associate's degree or 2 years of relevant experience
**Recommended Education:**
Bachelor's Degree
**Required Work Experience:**
Related Field - 1 year of experience
**Recommended Work Experience:**
**Required Certifications:**
1 of the following certifications is required - , 1 of the following license or registry is required - -
**Recommended Certifications:**
Certification in Maternal Newborn Nursing - National Certification Corporation, Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC) - The Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice: TALPP.org, Licensed Dietitian (LD) - Arkansas Dietetics Licensing Board, Registered Dietician (RD) - Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), RN License (AR or Compact State) - Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN)
**Description**
1. Provides comprehensive assessment of the mother/infant dyad and the breastfeeding/lactation process. Assesses the lactation status of the mother/ infant dyad.
2. Communicates assessments with the appropriate medical personnel through verbal reports and documentation in the patient's record. Assesses education needs of mothers.
3. Participates in the identification of mothers within the system who need assistance and/or breastfeeding education.
4. Develops plan of care with nursing, nutrition and the medical staff for mother/infant dyad, implements direct and indirect specialized patient care and evaluates the response to the treatment plan.
5. Participates actively with the interdisciplinary team on rounds, discharge planning, and Lactation Rounds.
6. Develops patient teaching plans on lactation and related issues.
7. Assists mothers who have problems breastfeeding. Provides education for mothers as needed on collecting, labeling, storing, transporting and delivering expressed breast milk while their infants are here in the hospital and when at home. Monitors progress of the breastfeeding mother/infant dyad and revises treatment plan as needed in collaboration with the medical team.
8. Participates in the quality improvement plan for the lactation service.
9. Assists the director with developing and maintaining policies and procedures for the Lactation Service. Assists the director with the development of the quality improvement (QI) plan for the Lactation Service. Collaborates with the Nutritional Services Director, Dieticians, and lactation technicians.
10. Identifies issues, communicates and collaborates effectively with other team members to find resolution.
11. Serves as an educational resource and participates in research activities while maintaining own level of clinical competency.
12. Contributes to the lactation learning needs of the nursing staff, medical residents, house staff and other hospital personnel as needed. Contributes to the breastfeeding education of the community as needed.
13. Initiates and/or assists in research projects specific to lactation. Participates in lactation continuing education activities for own professional growth. Participates in at least 12 inservice education activities per year.
Arkansas Children's provides equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin or citizenship status, disability, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or any other category protected by federal, state and local laws. Further, Arkansas Children's will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.
**Time Type:**
Full time
**Department:**
CC013130 3H Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
**Summary:**
Functions independently in a staff position as an expert practitioner, consultant, educator and researcher within the lactation specialty. This individual possesses a high degree of knowledge, skill and competence in the provision of care directly to the patient, family or community and indirectly through guidance of care by other personnel.
**Additional Information:**
**Required Education:**
Associate's degree or 2 years of relevant experience
**Recommended Education:**
Bachelor's Degree
**Required Work Experience:**
Related Field - 1 year of experience
**Recommended Work Experience:**
**Required Certifications:**
1 of the following certifications is required - , 1 of the following license or registry is required - -
**Recommended Certifications:**
Certification in Maternal Newborn Nursing - National Certification Corporation, Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC) - The Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice: TALPP.org, Licensed Dietitian (LD) - Arkansas Dietetics Licensing Board, Registered Dietician (RD) - Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), RN License (AR or Compact State) - Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN)
**Description**
1. Provides comprehensive assessment of the mother/infant dyad and the breastfeeding/lactation process. Assesses the lactation status of the mother/ infant dyad.
2. Communicates assessments with the appropriate medical personnel through verbal reports and documentation in the patient's record. Assesses education needs of mothers.
3. Participates in the identification of mothers within the system who need assistance and/or breastfeeding education.
4. Develops plan of care with nursing, nutrition and the medical staff for mother/infant dyad, implements direct and indirect specialized patient care and evaluates the response to the treatment plan.
5. Participates actively with the interdisciplinary team on rounds, discharge planning, and Lactation Rounds.
6. Develops patient teaching plans on lactation and related issues.
7. Assists mothers who have problems breastfeeding. Provides education for mothers as needed on collecting, labeling, storing, transporting and delivering expressed breast milk while their infants are here in the hospital and when at home. Monitors progress of the breastfeeding mother/infant dyad and revises treatment plan as needed in collaboration with the medical team.
8. Participates in the quality improvement plan for the lactation service.
9. Assists the director with developing and maintaining policies and procedures for the Lactation Service. Assists the director with the development of the quality improvement (QI) plan for the Lactation Service. Collaborates with the Nutritional Services Director, Dieticians, and lactation technicians.
10. Identifies issues, communicates and collaborates effectively with other team members to find resolution.
11. Serves as an educational resource and participates in research activities while maintaining own level of clinical competency.
12. Contributes to the lactation learning needs of the nursing staff, medical residents, house staff and other hospital personnel as needed. Contributes to the breastfeeding education of the community as needed.
13. Initiates and/or assists in research projects specific to lactation. Participates in lactation continuing education activities for own professional growth. Participates in at least 12 inservice education activities per year.
Arkansas Children's provides equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin or citizenship status, disability, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or any other category protected by federal, state and local laws. Further, Arkansas Children's will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.
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Lactation specialist job description example 3
Eisenhower Medical Center lactation specialist job description
* Job Objective: A brief overview of the position.
* The Lactation Specialist is responsible for providing support for mother-infant breastfeeding. The tasks include assessment, planning, interventions, and evaluation of lactation support and education for clients how to correctly breastfeed, offering tips during first feedings and assist mothers in how to maintain milk supplies. Position may require working at alternate sites.
* Reports to
* Nursing Director, Clinical Supervisor or Nurse Manager
* Supervises
* N/A, Delegates to Licensed and Non-Licensed Assistive Personnel
* Ages of Patients
* Newborn
* Pediatric, if appropriate for the unit
* Adolescent
* Adult
* Blood Borne Pathogens
* High Potential
* Qualifications
* Education
* N/A
* Licensure/Certification
* Required: International Board Certified Lactation Consultant IBCLC and American Heart Association BLS
* Experience
* Preferred: Experience in the area of specialty or in area of higher acuity or participation in internship program/course
* Preferred: Experience working with both NICU and Well Newborn areas
* Essential Responsibilities
* Demonstrates compliance with Code of Conduct and compliance policies, and takes action to resolve compliance questions or concerns and report suspected violations.
* Assesses, utilizing age specific data, the patient's physical, psychosocial, and spiritual status in a comprehensive manner.
o Demonstrates accurate assessment skills, appropriate to the age of the patient, based on scientific facts and principles.
o Performs initial assessment and completes required documentation within organizational standards.
o Performs and documents ongoing assessments including observation, physical examination, laboratory/test results, and patient response to procedural intervention.
o Participates in the identification and clarification of patient needs, as evidenced by participation in multidisciplinary care planning, to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
o Reviews and revises plan of care according to change in patient's status.
o Completes patient classification for assigned patients as required.
* Implements plan of care according to identified physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs.
o Implements and utilizes the Relationship-Based Care Professional Practice Model as the guide to all interactions between patients, families, co-workers, staff, physicians, and self.
o Completes patient care assignments in compliance with established hospital policies and procedures of clinical area.
o Prioritizes nursing interventions commensurate with patient's needs.
o Utilizes effective verbal and written communication skills through the presentation of pertinent information using the SBAR format as appropriate.
o Assists other staff in the delivery of patient care, as appropriate.
* Incorporates patient teaching/discharge planning to promote optimal patient outcomes.
o Provides, evaluates retention of, and documents education to the patient/family/significant other according to organizational standards.
o Coordinates and documents appropriate discharge planning and referrals to ensure continuity of care after discharge.
* Recognizes, accepts responsibility for, and maintains commitment to professional development and clinical competency.
o Attends required professional development sessions and staff meetings. If unable to attend, review minutes or discuss proceedings of meetings with peers or managers.
o Identifies personal knowledge deficits and seeks resources/consultation to ensure safe patient care.
o Utilizes all channels of communication including reading organizational email at least once a week, to obtain knowledge, transmit information, address concerns, and solve problems.
o Embraces change and continuously identifies opportunities for improvement by demonstrating a commitment to utilizing evidence based practice.
* Articulates knowledge and actively participates in nursing practice quality initiatives.
o Incorporates performance improvement recommendations into daily practice.
o Accepts accountability and participates in problem-solving issues related to quality patient care outcomes.
* Shares knowledge and acts as a professional resource to other members of the health care team.
o Supports and participates in Unit Based Council initiatives.
o Contributes to professional growth of peers by providing feedback through peer coaching and evaluation.
o Strives to be a life-long learner continuing to enroll and complete classes and courses to advance and increase new clinical knowledge.
* Complies with divisional and unit specific matrices.
* Performs other duties as assigned.
* The Lactation Specialist is responsible for providing support for mother-infant breastfeeding. The tasks include assessment, planning, interventions, and evaluation of lactation support and education for clients how to correctly breastfeed, offering tips during first feedings and assist mothers in how to maintain milk supplies. Position may require working at alternate sites.
* Reports to
* Nursing Director, Clinical Supervisor or Nurse Manager
* Supervises
* N/A, Delegates to Licensed and Non-Licensed Assistive Personnel
* Ages of Patients
* Newborn
* Pediatric, if appropriate for the unit
* Adolescent
* Adult
* Blood Borne Pathogens
* High Potential
* Qualifications
* Education
* N/A
* Licensure/Certification
* Required: International Board Certified Lactation Consultant IBCLC and American Heart Association BLS
* Experience
* Preferred: Experience in the area of specialty or in area of higher acuity or participation in internship program/course
* Preferred: Experience working with both NICU and Well Newborn areas
* Essential Responsibilities
* Demonstrates compliance with Code of Conduct and compliance policies, and takes action to resolve compliance questions or concerns and report suspected violations.
* Assesses, utilizing age specific data, the patient's physical, psychosocial, and spiritual status in a comprehensive manner.
o Demonstrates accurate assessment skills, appropriate to the age of the patient, based on scientific facts and principles.
o Performs initial assessment and completes required documentation within organizational standards.
o Performs and documents ongoing assessments including observation, physical examination, laboratory/test results, and patient response to procedural intervention.
o Participates in the identification and clarification of patient needs, as evidenced by participation in multidisciplinary care planning, to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
o Reviews and revises plan of care according to change in patient's status.
o Completes patient classification for assigned patients as required.
* Implements plan of care according to identified physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs.
o Implements and utilizes the Relationship-Based Care Professional Practice Model as the guide to all interactions between patients, families, co-workers, staff, physicians, and self.
o Completes patient care assignments in compliance with established hospital policies and procedures of clinical area.
o Prioritizes nursing interventions commensurate with patient's needs.
o Utilizes effective verbal and written communication skills through the presentation of pertinent information using the SBAR format as appropriate.
o Assists other staff in the delivery of patient care, as appropriate.
* Incorporates patient teaching/discharge planning to promote optimal patient outcomes.
o Provides, evaluates retention of, and documents education to the patient/family/significant other according to organizational standards.
o Coordinates and documents appropriate discharge planning and referrals to ensure continuity of care after discharge.
* Recognizes, accepts responsibility for, and maintains commitment to professional development and clinical competency.
o Attends required professional development sessions and staff meetings. If unable to attend, review minutes or discuss proceedings of meetings with peers or managers.
o Identifies personal knowledge deficits and seeks resources/consultation to ensure safe patient care.
o Utilizes all channels of communication including reading organizational email at least once a week, to obtain knowledge, transmit information, address concerns, and solve problems.
o Embraces change and continuously identifies opportunities for improvement by demonstrating a commitment to utilizing evidence based practice.
* Articulates knowledge and actively participates in nursing practice quality initiatives.
o Incorporates performance improvement recommendations into daily practice.
o Accepts accountability and participates in problem-solving issues related to quality patient care outcomes.
* Shares knowledge and acts as a professional resource to other members of the health care team.
o Supports and participates in Unit Based Council initiatives.
o Contributes to professional growth of peers by providing feedback through peer coaching and evaluation.
o Strives to be a life-long learner continuing to enroll and complete classes and courses to advance and increase new clinical knowledge.
* Complies with divisional and unit specific matrices.
* Performs other duties as assigned.
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Updated March 14, 2024
Updated March 14, 2024