Staff Nurse Lactation Services

The information described in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature of the work performed. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Other information:

Job Summary
Responsible and accountable for providing lactation support, educational services, and community referrals to patients, families, and other health care members. Places emphasis on unit based Lactation Services, community education, and promotion of breastfeeding, community outreach liaison and web page resource and marketing.
Essential Functions
Provides lactation support, educational services and community referrals to patients, families and other healthcare providers. Respects individual patient wishes in regards to choices and newborn feeding. Evaluates newborn feeding and implements plans of care for infants with special needs. Provides follows-up with patients with special needs and Lactation Services. Evaluates lactation concerns as referred for consult as outpatient by primary care providers or clients; implements plan of care, communicates plan of care with client and care provider. Emphasizes SRH Lactation Services, community education and breastfeeding promotion. Provides home follow-up phone calls to postpartum patients to include telephone assessment and referrals. Serves as the community outreach liaison. Acts as a resources for the SRH web page and lactation service marketing programs. Makes unit based lactation and bottle feeding rounds documenting on multidisciplinary care plan as needed Maintains 428-BABY line and log book for referrals, education, and lactation follow-ups. Assists patients, family members or other clients with concern and empathy; respects their confidentiality and privacy and communicates with them in a courteous and respectful manner. Answers and refers telephone calls or other inquires to ensure accurate and timely communications are facilitated. Identifies him/herself in a pleasant and positive manner. Takes responsibility for helping the caller and/or visitor. Documents accurate and ongoing assessment of patient status to ensure patient safety and charge capture. Teaches patient/significant other appropriate health information in a timely manner and shares written and visual informational material. Adheres to Administrative SRH/Nursing Service policies. Does not incur excessive overtime. Complies with specific SRH policies and procedures concerning safety. Assists in the orientation/training of new Team Members. Consistently works in a positive and cooperative manner with fellow Team Members. Seeks out opportunities to help rather than waiting to be asked. Considers the impact of his/her actions on Team Members throughout SRH. Takes direction and initiates actions (cross/additional training) that will allow the assumption of cross-functional duties to ensure seamless patient care. Demonstrates sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns. Investigates and follows through on unusual orders or requests for service or information. Follows proper reporting procedures for actual or potential accidents and/or incidents so follow-up and/or prevention can occur. Records/reports the need for service maintenance or repair of equipment and removes any faulty equipment from service. Contributes to the achievement of Quality Improvement and participate in QI activities. Consistently evaluates work and determines if further steps are needed to meet client expectations. Takes initiative to do or redo inadequate or incomplete work, even if it is not yours. Ensures compliance with regulatory standards. Consistently demonstrates the ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner in order to meet current needs, such as reprioritizing work as necessary. Minimizes non-productive time. Organizes job functions and work area to be able to effectively complete varied assignments within established time frames. Consistently demonstrates the ability to take the initiative to make decisions/choices without direct supervision. Attends required annual in-service programs. Participates in continuing education activities and obtains required contact hours. Meets 100% attendance requirement to annual mandatory skill updates. Attends a minimum of 75% of scheduled staff meetings and reads all minutes of meetings not attended. Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures and ability to reference them from appropriate sources. Complies with SRH’s infection control policies and procedures including Body Substance Isolation (BSI) and the Exposure Control Plan which reflects OSHA Blood borne Pathogens Standard to ensure a safe working environment for self and others. Ensures that SRH is operated in an efficient and cost effective manner by adhering to SVH and departmental attendance policies as documented on the Employee Attendance Record. Demonstrates adherence and support of SRH-Wide Service Standards and SRH/Department Safe Practices Standards. Maintains a clean, neat, and safe environment for patients and staff according to policies and procedures. Ensures that supplies and equipment necessary for patient care are stored in an organized and efficient manner. Demonstrates correct and safe techniques in the use of equipment according to specific product information. Follows appropriate procedures for obtaining and returning or cleaning/disposing of equipment and supplies. Participates in economical utilization of supplies and ensures that equipment is maintained in a clean and safe manner. Performs essential functions of Staff Nurse position as required. Performs other duties as assigned by Director or designee.
Education
RN required, BSN preferred. Knowledge of Lactation Services and supplies.
Experience/Training
Registered nurse with a minimum of one year perinatal nursing experience preferred.
License/Certifications
Current Washington State RN License required. AHA (American Heart Association) BLS certification required. NRP required within 6 months of hire. IBCLC preferred.
Other Skills
Demonstrates ability and appropriate technical skills when administering treatments and procedures in accordance with physician's orders and policies and procedures. Demonstrates necessary skills and knowledge to provide care for patients according to SVH and unit specific policies and procedures. Demonstrates ability to handle emergency situations in a prompt, precise, and professional manner. Provides personal patient care to provide comfort and well being to the patient, acknowledging physiological and psychological needs. Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills required.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day. The employee must frequently lift or move objects and patients weighing over 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to focus.Skagit Regional Health offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, 457b/401a (retirement), long term disability, and paid time off to all employees holding an FTE of 20 or more hours per week. Eligible employees also receive sick time pay.