Registered Nurse - Lactation Consultant - Evening

at  WellSpan Health Services

GENERAL SUMMARY

Provides professional nursing care at the beginner practitioner level in accordance with the principles of patient and family-centered care based on the nursing process and according to the clinical standards of the hospital. The Lactation Consultant (LC) functions to enhance the normal process of lactation and to assess, prevent, and manage lactation problems. The LC is a health care provider who is qualified to provide education and consultation for routine and special circumstances related to breastmilk feeding.

MINIMUM EDUCATION:

• Diploma Program Required or
• Associates Degree Required
• Bachelors Degree Nursing (BSN) Preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE:

• 1 year Relevant experience. Required

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides and coordinates direct care in accordance with the principles of patient and family-centered care based on the nursing process and per the clinical standards of the hospital. The LC serves as a breastmilk feeding advocate and encourages informed decision-making.
• Synthesizes patient data and integrates information from other sources, collaborates with multi-disciplinary team members to develop an individualized and outcome-driven breastfeeding plan of care (BF p.o.c.). Monitors adherence to/progress of breastfeeding plan of care, and modifying BF p.o.c. as needed for a positive outcome.
• Safely and independently administers prescribed treatments, medications and nursing interventions based on breastfeeding assessment and plan of care.
• Appropriately organizes and prioritizes time based on patient condition, breastfeeding progress of the couplet, and expected workload. Identifies changes in couplet breastfeeding status and acts accordingly. Knows and can activate resources to achieve positive outcomes for the couplet. Performs breastfeeding consultations at appropriate intervals.
• Identifies and communicates individualized patient needs for safe handoffs during transitions of care; the LC shares the plan of care with primary nurse and delegates aspects of care to nursing staff to meet couplet breastfeeding needs.
• Appropriately and correctly documents the patient/newborn response to interventions and progress towards outcomes, including variances/poor progress with breastfeeding in the electronic record. The LC provides assistance via telephone to pregnant and lactating women requiring information, counseling, follow-up, and refers them to appropriate programs.
• Can identify system and unit-based nursing sensitive indicators; i.e. falls, CAUTIs, etc.
• Promotes professional practice environment that supports patient safety and quality through interdisciplinary collaboration, Shared Decision-Making (SDM) activities, including peer review.
• Integrates SDM by unit committee membership or by supporting and helping fellow co-workers attend meetings and/or work on SDM projects.
• Identifies own areas of professional growth and development in performance improvement efforts; develops professional goals and follows through with such goals. Seeks mentoring and coaching from CN II & CN III.
• Begins to provide leadership for problem solving and goal formations. Begins to display conflict resolution and negotiation skills to maximize team performance.
• Supports the Keystone 10 initiatives by promoting “The 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” and adheres to the international code of marketing of breastmilk substitutes.
• Variation of duties may result based on the assigned customer care unit(s). This may include differences in the specific clinical skills required of the RN. Unit based skill lists outline expectations beyond the house wide RN requirements. SYS-NURS-L Nursing Education Requirements Policy outlines current certification(s) required for specific areas of nursing practice and is considered to be part of the job description.
• In addition to requirements specified in the license and certification section below, current BLS certification for all areas of nursing practice is required.Current certification may be required for the following areas of nursing practice:Emergency Care Center – ACLS, PALSIntensive Care Center & MSCC Lead – ACLS, PALSL&D – ACLS, NRP, - Experienced L&D nurses will obtain within 6 months and new L&D nurses will obtain at 1 year of experienceNICU – NRPPEDS – PALSPCC/PACU/ENDO – ACLS, PALSProcedural – ACLS