DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: The RN - Lead Lactation Consultant - Ambulatorypositions provide specialized care and education to patients and families in an outpatient setting.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The RN - Lead Lactation Consultant - Ambulatory is a certified professional responsible for development of an ambulatory lactation program for St. Charles Health System (SCHS) in addition to providing direct breastfeeding education, counseling, and support to mothers and families in a medical office setting. This role involves assessing, planning, and providing lactation services to ensure a positive breastfeeding experience and successful outcomes for mother and baby. The Lactation Consultant collaborates with medical staff to integrate breastfeeding education into patient care plans. Additionally, the lactation consultant performs newborn hearing tests and provides this information to the babys primary care provider (PCP). This role does not directly manage other caregivers but may be asked to provide feedback on the work of others.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

Key Responsibilities:

Lactation Support and Counseling:
- Provides one-on-one breastfeeding counseling and support to patients, addressing challenges such as latch difficulties, low milk supply, and other concerns.
- Conducts pre- and postnatal consultations to educate families on breastfeeding techniques, benefits, and expectations.
- Assists with breastfeeding equipment, such as pumps, and provides instructions for their use.
Clinical Assessment:
- Assesses the breastfeeding process, identifying potential issues and creating individualized care plans.
- Monitors infant growth and maternal health related to breastfeeding, referring to other healthcare providers as necessary to meet the patients/familys physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and intellectual needs; and evaluates patients progress.
Education and Advocacy:
- Educates families about the importance of breastfeeding and how to overcome common challenges.
- Delivers group classes or educational sessions on lactation and breastfeeding for expectant parents.
Program development:
- Works closely with Womens and Childrens service line leadership on the development of ambulatory lactation services and workflows.
- Evaluates the tri-county regional need for lactation services and identifies areas of need that are not being met through SCHS or community partnerships.
Collaboration and Communication:
- Works closely with pediatricians, obstetricians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated care.
- Documents all patient care with proficiency in compliance with St. Charles Health System policies and regulatory agencies.
- Documents care plans in the SCHS electronic medical record (EMR) system.
- Communicates with community resources for additional patient support when needed.
Quality Improvement and Training:
- Stays updated on the latest breastfeeding practices, research, and guidelines.
- Participates in ongoing education, certifications, and training to maintain professional expertise.
- Provides breastfeeding education and support training to medical office staff.
Newborn hearing tests
- Performs hearing tests on newborns for initial or repeat assessment
- Documents in the SCHS electronic medical record (EMR) system.
- Provides results to the babys PCP for determination if further testing or treatment is needed.

Maintains and demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of nursing principles, practices, standards, and techniques and applies this knowledge in accordance with St. Charles Health System policies and work instructions and within laws and regulations governing nursing practice in the State of Oregon.

Calculates dosages and administers medications accurately in accordance with St. Charles Health System policies and procedures for medication administration.

Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests.

Demonstrates awareness of and supports St. Charles Health Systems departmental and operating unit goals through participation in continuous quality improvement and departmental activities.

Participates in activities that promote professional growth and development of self and others.

Communicates (both written and orally) effectively and maintains professional relationships with caregivers, medical staff, patients, and guests.

Identifies work-related problems with possible solutions and implements solution(s) (within scope of practice), when appropriate.

Participates in creating a healing environment that supports all aspects of the care environment and the wholeness of each individual, patient and caregiver.

Participates in creating intentional relationships and demonstrates focus attitudes and behaviors that enhance the care experience. Responsible to manage the patients experience by clarifying, integrating, and coordinating the roles of the interdisciplinary team.

Provides a therapeutic presence in service to others by purposefully responding to the needs of patients/customers in a caring way. It includes introducing oneself and stating your purpose,asking the patient their preferred name, sitting with the patient to determine their care goals, active listening, and the skillful use of communication skills (touch, eye contact, etc.).

Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality.Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, supporting the health systems corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violations of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all company investigations and proceedings.

Delivers customer service and/or patient care in a manner that promotes goodwill, is timely, efficient and accurate

Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests.

Documents all patient care with proficiency in compliance with St. Charles Health System policies, procedures and regulatory agencies.

Supports the vision, mission and values of the organization in all respects.

Supports Lean principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change.

May perform additional duties of similar complexity within other ambulatory settings, as required or assigned.

EDUCATION:

Required: As required by licensure/certification.

Preferred: Bachelors degree in nursing.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

Required: Current Oregon RN license. AHA Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider certification. Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC). Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC within 6 months of hire).

Preferred: Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI).

EXPERIENCE:

Required: One (1) year recent experience of mother/baby dyad care or Lactation Consultant experience, newborn hearing screening experience.

Preferred: N/A

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:

Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform the job safely.

ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION:

SKILLS:

Must have:

Excellent communication skills and ability to interact with a diverse population and professionally represent St. Charles Health System.

Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills.

Strong team working and collaborative skills.

Strong analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills.

Basic to intermediate ability and experience in computer applications, specifically electronic medical records system and MS Office.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Continually (75% or more): Standing and walking, keyboard operation, use of clear and audible speaking voice and the ability to hear normal speech level.

Frequently (50%): Sitting, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 1-25 pounds. The use and operation of a motor vehicle for Home Health and Wound Caregivers.

Occasionally (25%): Bending, stooping/kneeling/crouching, climbing ladder/step-stool (varies by area), reaching overhead, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 25-50 pounds, grasping/squeezing, ability to hear whispered speech level.

Rarely (10%): Climbing stairs.

Never (0%): Climbing ladder/step-stool (varies by area), operation of a motor vehicle.

Exposure to Elemental Factors

Rarely (10%): Wet/slippery area, chemical solution.

Never (0%): Heat, cold, noise, dust, vibration, uneven surface.

Blood-Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Category

Risk for Exposure to BBP

Schedule Weekly Hours:

Caregiver Type:

Regular

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)