Lactation Specialist

Job Location:

Shelby County Healthcare Corporation - Memphis, TN 38103, Position Type:
Full Time, Travel Percentage:
None, Job Shift: Flex, Job Category:
Patient Care (non-nursing)

Provides breastfeeding assistance for expectant and new mothers. Initiates consultation with mothers and families to promote health and prevent breastfeeding problems, as well as assisting in crisis situations. Utilizes a scientific body of knowledge to communicate with other members of the health care team. Coordinates and participates in health fairs and/or educational programs.

Coordinates and provides patient care/services in accordance with established protocols, policies and procedures. Evaluates the effectiveness of care/services and makes adjustments/recommendations as needed to improve patient care and services.

• Conducts bedside lactation rounds daily to observe, intervene, and evaluate: patients’ anxieties, needs, staff questions, performance and reinforcements.
• Consults with mothers experiencing breastfeeding problems.
• Participates appropriately in communication and decision-making activities of the lactation services for the maternity services.
• Selects appropriate breastfeeding related supplies.
• Plans, organizes and delivers lactation management services to all breastfeeding patients, both in- patient and out-patient.
• Conducts quality assurance programs to monitor the caliber of the program.
• Assists in interpreting, implementing and writing standards and policies/procedures regarding care and education of breastfeeding couplet.
• Works consistently within nursing division policies and procedures, demonstrated competencies, and with consideration given to risk management, infection control practices, and patient safety practices.
• Demonstrates knowledge and technical, interpersonal and critical thinking skills to provide care, maintain clinical competency and meet age-specific patient needs.

Assesses and identifies learning needs of patients, families, staff and program participants for expectant and new breastfeeding mothers.

• Assists in the development, implementation, and evaluation of breastfeeding programs and materials for patients, staff, community, and other professionals.
• Engages in patient/family/staff teaching to achieve the desired patient outcomes.
• Participates as an active member in staff meetings and committees.
• Plans and conducts classes, activities or individual sessions to meet identified learning needs develops curriculum, teaching materials, lesson plans and evaluation tools.
• Maintains awareness of financial issues, cost containment, and resources for patients.
• Plans, teaches and conducts in-service education for maternity nursing staff to enable them to answer breastfeeding questions appropriately.

Coordinates and participates in educational and service programs, developing support for education/service programs. Screens potential clients at health screening; maintains statistics.

Provides informational material and literature to patient, family members, staff and health fair/program participant.

• Interacts and communicates with members of the health care team, patient and visitors in a customer responsive and courteous manner, in compliance with MEDCARE standards and promoting patient/customer satisfaction.
• Works collaboratively and serves as a resource person to the medical and nursing staffs; consults regarding any entities or aspect of lactation services and breastfeeding.
• Recommends and/or develops protocols for home care.
• Maintains professional credentials and education necessary to keep abreast and maintain a current knowledge of clinical/theoretical/performance improvement principles, concepts and techniques,…