Lactation Consultant - University Hospital

Scope of Position

The Lactation Consultant (LC) collaborates with the patient care team, other health care professionals and the community to provide patients with breast feeding knowledge and skill. The lactation consultant is responsible for the overall planning, direction, and evaluation of breast-feeding education for the Department of women and Infants Nursing and the Medical Center.

The focus of care is breast feeding education for patients, the community, and health care providers. The Department of Women and Infants Nursing provides comprehensive breastfeeding education to inpatients, outpatients, and the community on a 24-hr basis.

Position Summary

Responsible for assessing, planning, managing, coordinating, directing, and evaluating breast feeding education provided to patients and their family/ support persons by the patient care team in Department of Womens and Infants Nursing. The LC prioritizes breast feeding education needs of patients and collaborates with the patient care team and other health care providers. Ongoing community education and agency collaboration is essential.

Minimum Qualifications

For Hire: Graduate of an accredited school of Registered Nursing. Baccalaureate degree in nursing or related field desired; current Ohio license, certification as a lactation consultant preferred; previous nursing experience in a relevant healthcare setting preferred; prior patient education and women and infant nursing experience desired.

Ongoing: Maintain Ohio RN license; meet mandatory educational and health requirements; maintain knowledge related to patient care issues, quality improvement and cost reduction, current policies, procedures, and protocols. Attain IBCLC within one year of hire if not already certified.

The LC may be assigned to perform breastfeeding support and education services to Nationwide Childrens Hospital NICU located at the OSU Wexner Medical Center under a contract for services between OSUWMC and Nationwide Childrens Hospital NICU. During this assignment, OSUWMC is the sole employer and appointing authority of the Lactation Consultant. Performing services for Nationwide Childrens NICU, located at OSUWMC is within the course and scope of the lactation consultants responsibilities to OSU Wexner Medical Center.