Lactation Consultant Nurse RN, Falls Church MOB

Job Summary

To coordinate and monitor the care of newborns and provide lactation support to new mothers in the postpartum period.

• Employ an interdisciplinary approach to provide comprehensive newborn assessment and lactation support; facilitate coordination of all necessary services for patients and families.
• Coordinate patient care for hospital admissions, specialty referrals, and ancillary support departments based on the assessment from the newborn visit.
• Consult with the Provider for further assessment and coordinate with other IBCLCs, Continuing Care services, or hospital staff.
• Coordinate member receipt of a hospital‑grade breast pump, considered DME.
• Contact every woman who has delivered a newborn within the assigned service area, offer telephonic assessment and lactation support, generate a nursing care plan, and monitor follow‑up.
• Assess the needs of the mother and her newborn in the post‑partum period; document high‑risk factors and problems that may require consultation and intervention, and plan appropriate follow‑up.
• Collaborate with other health‑care team members to identify parents’ educational and competency gaps related to breastfeeding and newborn assessment.
• Conduct and document individual or family lactation or newborn visits in the Medical Office Building to address identified gaps associated with the Newborn or Lactation visit.
• Assess staff knowledge and identify competency‑based educational needs of staff related to breastfeeding patients and newborn assessment, in collaboration with the KP‑MAS Health Education department.
• Provide formal and informal medical and nursing staff education services consistently, uniformly, efficiently, and cost‑effectively; evaluate the effectiveness of the education and modify plans as needed.
• Maintain precise records, data, and statistics to ensure accurate reporting and documentation of quality assurance and improvement measures, and to facilitate research efforts.
• Represent the facility at quarterly Regional Lactation workgroup meetings.
• Represent the IBCLC program in facility and regional committees and initiatives.
• Perform duties of the clinical nurse in the assigned setting when necessary.
• Assist with development and updating of lactation protocols in collaboration with a health‑care team of physicians, nurse practitioners, midwives, social workers, and nutritionists.
• Teach group prenatal newborn care and lactation classes.
• Manage DME breast pumps.

Weekends and holidays are required.

This position supports all of the NOVA newborn care centers.

Experience:

Minimum two (2) years of nursing experience within the last 60 months with one year in either a pediatric or OB‑GYN setting.

Education:

Graduate of an accredited nursing program. High School Diploma or GED required.

• Registered Nurse License (Maryland) within 6 months of hire AND Registered Nurse License (Virginia) within 6 months of hire OR
• Compact License:
  Registered Nurse within 6 months of hire
• Registered Nurse License (District of Columbia) within 6 months of hire
• Basic Life Support from American Heart Association
• International Board Lactation Consultant Examiners Certificate from International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants

• Required to pass an IV administration test.
• Proficient in use of word processing and spreadsheet programs.
• Able to work independently and to be part of an interdisciplinary team.

• Strong newborn assessment skills.
• Experience with breastfeeding support groups.
• BSN preferred.