Lactation Educator RN

Where You'll Work

At CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Mercy, our focus is patient-centered care. Our level I trauma center and academic medical center campus is designed to heal the body, mind, and spirit of every person in a more comfortable, less stressful hospital environment. Our full range of medical services includes trauma services, heart and vascular care, emergency services, surgery, maternity, cancer care, and diagnostic imaging.

Job Summary and Responsibilities

Works directly with newborn nursery, special care nursery, and Labor and Delivery staff, and birth center staff as a consultant for mothers that are breastfeeding. Responsible for Breastfeeding support group and telephone consultations. Provides follow-up support for mothers after dismissal. Responsible for discharge phone call follow-ups. Involvement in exclusive breastfeeding task force and community projects. Resource for Certified Lactation consultants on staff and training nursing staff.

Essential Key Job Responsibilities

• Coordinates care of postpartum patients who are breastfeeding; helps nursing mothers with potential / actual problems; is available for follow-up calls for support and guidance; works in close consultation with nursing staff.
• Acts as a resource person for staff caring for patients. Acts as a communication link between Maternal Child staff.
• Provides education to new mothers about breastfeeding as well as sharing knowledge will all maternal child areas.
• Provides backup support to appropriate areas, including Maternal Child Health, Special Care Nursery, and Childbirth Education, within the scope of license.
• Compiles with internal and external regulations, policies, and procedures, per Policy Stat; identifies areas of noncompliance and assists in resolution. Demonstrates leadership in achieving nursing division goals and supports Shared Governance structure.
• Assumes responsibility for personal and professional growth through participation in meetings, inservice programs, continuing education programs, and fulfills yearly requirements as stated by policy. Assists in orientation of new staff and participants in Quality Improvement activities.
• Maintains professional attitude with patients, visitors, and other hospital personnel while ensuring confidentiality of patient and other hospital information.
• Maintains compliance with established, departmental, and organizational policies, procedures, and objectives concerning quality improvement, safety, and environmental conditions and infections.
• Acknowledges the value of multicultural traditions and demonstrates this when caring for patients. Must have the ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a diverse and multicultural environment.
• Contributes to planning for use of physical, human, and capital budget fiscal resources.
• Assess the patient's pain and establish an acceptable pain level. Responds and intervenes to verbal and non-verbal pain. Informs pain assessment and interventions to nursing staff.
• Participates in all safety, security, and infection control programs that are mandatory as well as those required and provided by the department.
• Demonstrates work practices consistent with Commonspirit and department-specific safety, security, and infection control policies.
• Maintains appropriate stock / supplies of needed teaching materials and breast pumps and parts for use by patients and outpatients.
• Authorized to make entries in the medical record, consistent with and limited to the scope of the job duties and any applicable licensure.
• Collaboration with community outreach.

Job Requirements

Completion of a nursing program in an accredited institution. A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing.

Preferred : Three years experience in hospital nursing in Maternal Child Health.

Registered Nurse License in Nebraska or Iowa, Nebraska and Iowa are compact states, license must be held in the state of your residence.

Board Certified Lactation Consultant-IBCLC required, or progression towards certification to comply with the requirements of the IBCLC Board to include 2500 clinical hours in breastfeeding. Certification completion not to exceed 1 year from hire.

BLS or BLS instructor certification is required upon hire. Acceptable credentialing bodies and certifications include the following : American Red Cross : CPR / AED for the Professional Rescuer, American Safety and Health Institute : CPR, PRO, must say "Professional Level with AED", and American Heart Association : Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers.

Knowledge of breastfeeding techniques. Knowledge of availability of community resources for nursing mothers. Excellent teaching skills required. Job requires frequent reading skills, verbal communication skills, and written communication skills.