Lactation Consultant

Summary of Essential Functions 

• A United Regional Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS) is a paraprofessional staff person who provides basic breastfeeding information and encouragement and support to our breastfeeding patients, under the direction and supervision of our International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) and Certified Lactation Consultants (CLC). 

Educational Requirements 

• High School diploma or equivalent required. 
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing. 

Licenses and Certifications 

• CPR Certification 
• Certification in Lactation Education preferred or will obtain certification within 6 months of hire date. 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities 

• Knowledge of the Texas Ten Steps for Breastfeeding and Designation 
• Previous, hands on, experience with breastfeeding and knowledge of current standards 
• Perform breastfeeding assessment and document findings assigning a LATCH score 
• Provide breastfeeding support with latch, positioning, and discharge teaching 
• Educate mothers on the process of milk production and maintaining milk supply 
• Ability to instruct mothers on massage, hand expression, pumping 
• Baby feeding cues, cluster feeding, engorgement, blocked ducts, etc. collaborating with nursing staff and or IBCLC consultants
• Knowledge of problem solving with breastfeeding difficulties and providing information to patients and staff ways to troubleshoot 
• Provide resources to breastfeeding mothers for additional breastfeeding support 
• Assess infant feeding method and alternative methods, providing feeding instructions for breast and or formula fed infants
• Collaborate care with primary care nurse and nursing staff for further medical/nursing assessment and interventions 
• Assist with breastfeeding Quality Improvement process and data collection 
• Demonstrate good communication skills 
• Assist with outpatient lactation visits 
• Assist with discharge phone calls 
• Limited assistance with compromised infants in special care nursery 
• Demonstrates enthusiastic and positive approach regarding mother’s feeding choice and assist to help mothers and their newborns have a positive experience 

Physical Requirements 

• Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination. 
• Standing, walking for extensive periods of time. 
• Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds, pushing an pulling of heavy objects. 
• Corrected vision and hearing to normal range. 
• Working under stressful conditions. 
• Some exposure to communicable disease or bodily fluids. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Maintain a Professional relationship with Physicians, nursing staff and ancillary staff involved in patient care. 
• Collaborate with the lactating patient, her significant other, family and members of the health care team.
• Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers, including discussing the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers and how to establish early successful breastfeeding. 
• Demonstrate competencies required, on Orientation checklist, by a Certified Lactation Consultant.