Prn Lactation Consultant- Outpatient- Pennsylvania Hospital

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Summary:

• The International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) functions to enhance the normal process of lactation and to prevent, assess, and manage lactation problems in the in- and out-patient setting. The IBCLC is a health care provider who is qualified to provide education and consultation for routine and special circumstances related to breastfeeding.

Responsibilities:

• Completing initial assessment using principles of interviewing, observation, and physical assessment. Also use of breast pumps and other breastfeeding accessories in accordance with current evidence-based practice.
• Collaborates with multi-disciplinary team members to develop plans of care for breastfeeding families, performs consultations at appropriate intervals and anticipates the patient discharge and establishes appropriate plan of care.
• Provides assistance via the telephone warmline to pregnant and lactating women requiring information, counseling, follow-up, and refers them to appropriate programs. The IBCLC serves as a breastfeeding advocate, encouraging informed decision-making.
• Responsible for providing lactation education, orients new nursing staff to the infant feeding policy and practice guidelines when in-patient, and serves as a mentor for Lactation students.
• Demonstrates safe practice within the UPHS professional practice model and demonstrates UPHS core values which reflect its mission. The IBCLC provides direct care to patients who may range in age from infancy to the middle adulthood and demonstrates competency within the domains of clinical judgment and decision-making, nurse-patient/family relationship, clinical leadership and clinical scholarship.
• Maintains a competent level of knowledge and skill with providing direct care. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide individualized care based on physical, psychosocial, cultural, educational, safety, and age-appropriate considerations of assigned patients. Also complies with all regulations and standards of regulatory and accrediting bodies.
• Supports the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative by promoting the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and adhering to the international code of marketing of breast milk substitutes.
• The Clinical Judgment and Decision-Making skills of the IBCLC are characterized by competent clinical judgment in the delivery of patient care. This is demonstrated by consistent organization and prioritization of workload, confident management of emergency situations and effective communication and documentation.
• Safely uses common equipment in the practice setting and consults professional resources and clinical colleagues when unfamiliar situations occur.
• Develops appropriate patient/family relationships integrating patient/family concerns, beliefs and values into the plan of care.
• The IBCLC demonstrates Clinical Scholarship by participating in quality improvement initiatives. The IBCLC incorporates evidence-based changes into his/her practice. The IBCLC identifies personal learning needs, establishes and follows through on professional goals which support unit, entity and UPHS goals.

Education Requirements/ Credentials:

• Baccalaureate degree required.
• Must be International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant with two years of inpatient experience or equivalent preferred.
• Must have Basic Cardiac Life Support certification.

We believe that the best care for our patients starts with the best care for our employees. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Penn Medicine employees are actively engaged and committed to our mission. Together we will continue to make medical advances that help people live longer, healthier lives.
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