Lactation Consultant - Casual

Hennepin Healthcare is an integrated system of care that includes HCMC, a nationally recognized Level I Adult Trauma Center and Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and acute care hospital, as well as a clinic system with primary care clinics located in Minneapolis and across Hennepin County. The comprehensive healthcare system includes a 473-bed academic medical center, a large outpatient Clinic & Specialty Center, and a network of clinics in the North Loop, Whittier, and East Lake Street neighborhoods of Minneapolis, and in the suburban communities of Brooklyn Park, Golden Valley, Richfield, and St. Anthony Village. Hennepin Healthcare has a large psychiatric program, home care, and operates a research institute, philanthropic foundation, and Hennepin EMS. The system is operated by Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc., a subsidiary corporation of Hennepin County.

Equal Employment Opportunities: We believe equity is essential for optimal health outcomes and are committed to achieve optimal health for all by actively eliminating barriers due to racism, poverty, gender identity, and other determinants of health. We are committed to equitable care and working in an environment that celebrates, promotes, and protects diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are committed to bringing in individuals with new cultural perspectives to assist in creating a more equitable healthcare organization.

JOB DETAILS

Department: Lactation Services
FTE: Casual
Workdays: Varied
Shift Length: 8 hours

Purpose of this position: The lactation consultant works collaboratively to improve the quality of patient care and facilitate favorable outcomes in establishing and maintaining breastfeeding. The lactation consultant focuses on health promotion and encourages self-care and parental decision making prenatally and postnatally. The lactation consultant functions as a clinical expert in the role of practitioner, consultant, and educator. The lactation consultant ensures that services comply with Hennepin County Medical Center’s mission and vision.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Provides direct 1:1 patient care at the bedside assisting mothers with infant & maternal positioning, deep latch, and establishment of adequate milk supply
• Provides consultation and instruction in basic and complex breastfeeding routines and techniques to new mothers, both inpatient and outpatient
• Provides support and problem-solving to patients experiencing feeding difficulty with infants
• Prepares equipment and educates patient and family in proper use and maintenance
• Documents patient/family education and progress of the mother and baby in accordance with hospital standards
• Provides breastfeeding assessment, support, and counseling through daily rounds, follow-up visits, physical breastfeeding assessments and care plan development for breastfeeding families with particular attention will be made to those mothers with special needs babies (e.g. multiple births, Down's syndrome, Pierre-Robin Syndrome, cleft lip and /or palate, hyperbilirubinemia, prematurity, loss of baby.)
• Serves as a resource for the nursing staff, community, medical staff, and students

Other duties and responsibilities:

• Assesses clinical and educational needs of pregnant and lactating women
• Collaborates in the development of standards for nursing practice for the breastfeeding family and breastfeeding services.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to develop a plan of care for the breastfeeding family
• Assists in coordinating and developing prenatal and postpartum breastfeeding education as well as education for health care professionals working with breastfeeding families
• Assists with development and implementation of the Lactation program with focus on the inpatient and outpatient services offered
• Collects and analyzes data related to breastfeeding rates. Assists in development of a plan utilizing quality improvement principles to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates
• Participates in research efforts for improvement of patient care and nursing practice
• Participates in organizational Breastfeeding Collaborative committee
• Assists in review of breastfeeding policies and procedures
• Incorporates evidence-based practice into Lactation program

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

• Current certification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Registered Nurse

• At least 1 year experience working as an RN and IBCLC

You've made the right choice in considering Hennepin Healthcare for your employment. We offer a wealth of opportunities for individuals who want to make an impact in our patients' lives. We are dedicated to providing Equal Employment Opportunities to both current and prospective employees. We are driven to connect talented individuals with life-changing career opportunities, enabling you to provide exceptional care without exception. Thank you for considering Hennepin Healthcare as a future employer.

Please Note: Offers of employment from Hennepin Healthcare are conditional and contingent upon successful clearance of all background checks and pre-employment requirements.

Total Rewards Package:

• We offer a competitive pay rate based on your skills, licensure/certifications, education, experience related to this position, and internal equity.
• We provide an extensive benefits program that includes Medical; Dental; Vision; Life, Short and Long-term Term Disability Insurance; Retirement Funds; Paid Time Off; and Tuition reimbursement.
• For a complete list of our benefits, please visit our career site on why you should work for us.