General Summary of Position
Practicing under the International Lactation Consultant Association Standards of Practice, the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is responsible for providing lactation education and management education/instruction, rental of lactation equipment, and telephone triage and counseling to Medstar Washington Hospital Center patients and members of the community as out-patients. The IBCLC utilizes principles of adult learning in planning, teaching, instruction, and evaluation.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Demonstrates clinical expertise by applying evidence-based knowledge, astute clinical judgment, and decision-making that supports and optimizes lactation support for both inpatient and outpatient.
- Creates a milieu that promotes and fosters privacy, learning, support and promotion of lactation.
- Promotes baby friendly principles in interactions with patients and staff.
- Teaches evidenced based information and educational offerings authorized by Medstar Washing ton Hospital Center.
- Designs, implements and evaluates designated hospital-based educational programs and consultative services within specialty.
- Assists with teaching Childbirth Education Classes for prospective patients of Medstar Washington Hospital Center.
- Participates in activities of Parenting Services which include maternity tours, bereavement activities etc... .
- Participates in the education of health discipline students by permitting observation of rounds, meetings, classes, documentation, and telephone counseling. Will also participate in any mentoring programs offered at the Lactation Center.
- Collaborates with nursing leadership (Nurse Director, Clinical Specialists and Nursing Education) to ensure staff competencies. Participates in assessing staff performance as it relates to ability to provide lactation support.
- Collects, analyzes and reports performance data to reflect the volume, quality and impact of lactation services.
- Collects and analyzes data collection, pertaining to breastfeeding exclusivity.
- Works collaboratively with the leadership team to seek and utilize information (including research findings) to develop, implement and manage lactation services which support organizational objectives, patient care standards and quality of care.
- Supports and promotes quality for breastfeeding support services. Collaborates with physicians, midwives, nursing director, lactation counselors, and associates to analyze departmental performance data, participate in performance improvement projects, and with achieving certification for Baby Friendly Hospital.
- Promotes Pathway to Excellence standards through daily practice.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree preferably in Nursing. required
Experience
- 3-4 years of experience with 2 years experience as a Certified Lactation Counselor including patient education and bedside consultation required
Licenses and Certifications
- IBCLC - International Board Certified Lactation Consultant required
- BLS - Basic Life Support required
- Health Services\NRP - Neonatal Resuscitation required
Why MedStar Health?
At MedStar Health, we understand that our ability to treat others well begins with how we treat each other. We work hard to foster an inclusive and positive environment where our associates feel valued, connected, and empowered. We live up to this promise through:
- Strong emphasis on teamwork—our associates feel connected to each other and our mission as an organization. In return, our effective team environment generates positive patient outcomes and high associate satisfaction ratings that exceed the national benchmark.
- Strategic focus on equity, inclusion, & diversity—we are committed to equity for all people and communities. We continue to build a diverse and inclusive workplace where people feel a sense of belonging and the ability to contribute to equitable care delivery and improved community health outcomes at all levels of the organization.
- Comprehensive total rewards package—including competitive pay, generous paid time off, great health and wellness benefits, retirement savings, education assistance, and so much more.
- More career opportunities closer to home—as the largest healthcare provider in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region, there are countless opportunities to grow your career and fulfill your aspirations.
About MedStar Health
MedStar Health is dedicated to providing the highest quality care for people in Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation, and research. Our team of 32,000 includes physicians, nurses, residents, fellows, and many other clinical and non-clinical associates working in a variety of settings across our health system, including 10 hospitals and more than 300 community-based locations, the largest home health provider in the region, and highly respected institutes dedicated to research and innovation. As the medical education and clinical partner of Georgetown University for more than 20 years, MedStar Health is dedicated not only to teaching the next generation of doctors, but also to the continuing education, professional development, and personal fulfillment of our whole team. Together, we use the best of our minds and the best of our hearts to serve our patients, those who care for them, and our communities. It’s how we treat people.
MedStar Health is an Equal Opportunity (EO) Employer and assures equal opportunity for all applicants and employees. We hire people to work in different locations, and we comply with the federal, state and local laws governing each of those locations. MedStar Health makes all decisions regarding employment, including for example, hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, benefit eligibility, discipline, and discharge without regard to any protected status, including race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, sex, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political affiliations, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local EO laws. If you receive an offer of employment, it is MedStar Health's policy to hire its employees on an at-will basis, which means you or MedStar Health may terminate this relationship at any time, for any reason.
Job Type: Full-time