Lactation Nurse- NICU- 36 hrs

Registered Nurse or APRN with IBCLC will function under the Registered Nurse scope of practice and be accountable for planning, implementing, and evaluating direct care and staff education in support of lactating mother-infant dyads at CCMC. Primary area of responsibility is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

• • Provide comprehensive lactation assessment, consultation, and individualized plans of care.
  • Support medically complex infants, children, and lactating parents.
  • Collaborate with physicians, APPs, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, dietitians, and social work.
  • Document assessments, education, interventions, and outcomes in the electronic medical record.
  • Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and discharge planning.
  • Provide patient, family, and staff education using evidence-based practice.
  • Develop and update lactation policies, procedures, educational materials, and clinical guidelines.
  • Lead and participate in quality improvement, regulatory readiness and research.
  • Coordinate lactation resources including breast pumps and lactation spaces.
  • Represent Connecticut Children's on committees and community initiatives.
  • Serve as the hospital subject matter expert for lactation.
  • Mentor nurses, students, and IBCLC candidates.
  • Promote evidence-based practice and professional standards.
  • Support Joint Commission and organizational quality initiatives.

   

   

   

   

  Performs other job-related duties as assigned
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Education:

• Required: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Education:

Experience:

• Required: Minimum two years RN experience either in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), maternal-child, post-partum unit, pediatric inpatient unit, or outpatient lactation clinic and one year inpatient lactation consultation.

Experience:

License / Certification / Registration:

• Current Connecticut RN license.
• Current IBCLC certification REQUIRED upon hire.
• Current BLS certification.
• Connecticut Licensed Lactation Consultant (LLC) 

License / Certification / Registration:

                                                                                           Knowledge

• As above 

                                                                                                 Skills

• As above

                                                                                              Abilities

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift clinical equipment, assist patients with positioning and feeding, and safely perform nursing duties.

   

Minimal

up to 25%

Occasional

25% - 50%

Frequent

50% - 75%

Constant

75% - 100%

More than 100 lbs.*

(push/pull on wheels only)

*indicate weight range 

Specify any other physical requirements required to perform an essential job function, not listed above: Significant bending over equipment. Significant walking, ability to transport equipment, lifting, sitting. Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so the requirements of the position can be fully met. Education and/or Experience Required:

• Education Required: Must possess a degree or diploma from an accredited nursing program for registered nurses.  
• Experience Required: Minimum of one-year hospital-based nursing experience required.

Education and/or Experience Preferred:

• Education Preferred: BSN preferred.
• Experience Preferred: NICU, special care nursery, or postpartum experience strongly preferred.
• Minimum of one-year hospital-based nursing experience required; NICU, special care nursery, or postpartum experience strongly preferred.

License and/or Certification Required:

• Registered nurse, or APRN licensed to practice nursing in the State of Connecticut. 
• International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) certification required or acquired within one year. 
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR in adult, child & infant is required upon hire and maintained thereafter.