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 providing 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; coordinate with other IBCLCs, continuing care services, or hospital staff. Also coordinate the member receipt of a hospital‑grade breast pump considered DME.
• Within the assigned service area, contact every woman who has delivered a newborn, 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 identified 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 the identified gaps associated with the newborn or lactation visit.
• Collaborate with the health‑care team at the assigned medical office building to assess staff knowledge and identify competency‑based educational needs related to breastfeeding patients and newborn assessment. Work with the KP‑MAS Health Education Department to provide formal and informal medical and nursing staff education services in a consistent, uniform, efficient, and cost‑effective manner. Evaluate the effectiveness of the education and modify educational plans as needed in conjunction with the department.
• 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.

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

• 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.
• 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 the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants.

• Pass an IV administration test.
• Proficient in the use of word processing and spreadsheet programs.
• Able to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.

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