Lactation Consultant
Lehigh Valley Health Network
Summary
Functions to enhance the normal process of lactation and prevents, assesses, and manages lactation problems in the in-patient setting. Focuses on the needs and concerns of the breastfeeding mother and infant(s) and advocates for the breastfeeding family in preventing, recognizing, and resolving breastfeeding difficulties while promoting improved breastfeeding outcomes. Functions within the Scope of Practice as defined by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and follows Standards of Practice as defined by their professional association, International Lactation Consultant Association; adheres to policies, procedures, and guidelines of care.
Job description
Job Duties
- Orients new nursing staff to the newborn feeding policy and practice guidelines.
- Consults with an interdisciplinary team in the development, implementation, and evaluation of breastfeeding protocols.
- Provides assistance via telephone to pregnant and lactating women requiring information, counseling, and follow-up.
- Provides breastfeeding assessment, support, and counseling in routine and high risk, complicated, clinical situations for the breastfeeding family in obstetrical and pediatric areas.
- Serves as a clinical expert and consultant in the care of the breastfeeding family.
- Assists in developing policies and procedures related to breastfeeding.
- Plans, teaches, and conducts in-service education for maternal child health and nursing staff providers.
- Reviews and maintains files of current research and literature and serves as a resource person to health care providers and breastfeeding families.
Minimum Qualifications
- Specialized Diploma RN
- 3 years of experience in lactation counseling.
- Ability to perform assessments and nursing functions as acquired in a basic nursing preparation program.
- Creates an environment that promotes learning for staff and families.
- Participates appropriately in communication and decision making activities.
- Knowledge of adult learning principles.
- Knowledge of consulting methods, tools, and techniques.
- Plans, teaches, and conducts education for healthcare providers.
- Plans, organizes, and delivers lactation management services to breastfeeding families.
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, physicians, and coworkers being an advocate for the families.
- Ability to evaluate families response to care and initiate independent and/or collaborative changes where appropriate.
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support - State of Pennsylvania Upon Hire
- IBCLC-Intl Board Cert Lactation Consultant - State of Pennsylvania within 180 Days
- RN - Licensed Registered Nurse_PA - State of Pennsylvania Upon Hire
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree Nursing
- NRP - Neonatal Resuscitation Program - State of Pennsylvania within 1 Year
Requirements
- Specialized Diploma RN
- 3 years of experience in lactation counseling
- Ability to perform assessments and nursing functions as acquired in a basic nursing preparation program
- Creates an environment that promotes learning for staff and families
- Participates appropriately in communication and decision making activities
- Knowledge of adult learning principles
- Knowledge of consulting methods, tools, and techniques
- Plans, teaches, and conducts education for healthcare providers
- Plans, organizes, and delivers lactation management services to breastfeeding families
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, physicians, and coworkers being an advocate for the families
- Ability to evaluate families response to care and initiate independent and/or collaborative changes where appropriate
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support - State of Pennsylvania Upon Hire
- IBCLC-Intl Board Cert Lactation Consultant - State of Pennsylvania within 180 Days
- RN - Licensed Registered Nurse_PA - State of Pennsylvania Upon Hire
Company overview
Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is a major healthcare provider and hospital network based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, serving the Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania regions. Founded in 1899, LVHN operates as a comprehensive healthcare system with 13 hospital campuses, 28 health centers, numerous primary and specialty care physician practices, and multiple urgent care locations. The network's flagship facility, Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, is Pennsylvania's third-largest hospital and features the state's first Level One Trauma Center. LVHN provides a wide range of medical services including specialized institutes for cancer care, heart and vascular treatment, surgical excellence, orthopedics, and neuroscience. The network operates the third-largest heart surgery program in Pennsylvania, performing over 1,200 open-heart procedures annually, and maintains one of the state's largest cancer centers treating over 2,400 new patients each year. In August 2024, LVHN completed a merger with Jefferson Health, becoming part of a larger healthcare system with 32 hospitals and over 700 locations across Pennsylvania. Prior to the merger, LVHN was the largest employer in the Lehigh Valley metropolitan region, with approximately 20,000 employees dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community.