LACTATION CONSULTANT (R.N.) - OBSTETRICS - FT DAYS (62653)

Job Summary:  Practices autonomously and in accordance with professional nursing standards, within the parameters of the Illinois Nurse Practice Act, and within the policies and procedures of Anderson Hospital.

1. Supports patient’s rights and responsibilities, including respect of cultural, ethical and religious diversity.
2. Responds appropriately to infant security, hospital code and patient alarms, including required documentation.
3. Uses effective communication skills with patients, staff, other departments, physicians, families and visitors.
4. Provides age-appropriate and population specific patient care in a safe, skillful, accurate and efficient manner to newborn, adolescent and adult populations.
5. Completes documentation accurately and in a timely manner, according to hospital policy and procedures.
6. Assesses patient and family learning needs and provides ongoing education and evaluation.  Documents readiness to learn, teaching, barriers and outcomes. 
7. Effectively utilizes the nursing process to ensure optimal nursing care and patient outcomes.
8. Engages in activities to expand and /or enhance the professional nursing role, which includes integration of research and evidence based practice. 
9. Demonstrates flexibility to meet department, organization and patient/family needs.
10. Provides education and support to breast-feeding mothers and their infants in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.
11. Develops, teaches and evaluates the Prenatal Breastfeeding Class.
12. Performs in-patient consults at the bedside and out-patient consults by appointment, which includes identifying, analyzing and developing an individual breastfeeding plan based on the mother’s goals.
13. Consults and coordinates care with the obstetrician, pediatrician and nursing staff on each patient’s individualized plan of care and progress.
14. Serves as a clinical resource and support to staff and physicians by providing ongoing education related to evidence based care of the lactating mother.   This includes development and review of all policies related to breastfeeding.
15. Orients and educates new staff to include breastfeeding skills, protocols and Pavilion policies and procedures. 
16. Responsible for ongoing continuing education for Pavilion staff regarding breastfeeding, to include participation in Skills Day.
17. Assists in the development/review of all literature relating to breastfeeding that is distributed to patients.
18. Identifies opportunities for quality improvement and reports collected data to manager on an ongoing basis.
19. Maintains the Pavilion Lactation Station, a rental and supply station.

Education Requirements and Other Requirements:

                Education Level:  Graduate of an accredited nursing program.

                Certification/Licensure:  Illinois license or eligible. CLC required and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Certification required within 2 years.                        BLS and NRP certifications required.

                Experience Requirements:  Minimum of 2 years obstetric nursing experience required.