RN Lead Lactation Consultant (stcharles)

Job Description

Pay range: $47.35 - $71.03 hourly, varies on experience.
Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic - Redmond, Oregon

ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:                                     RN – Lead Lactation Consultant - Ambulatory    

REPORTS TO POSITION:     Nurse Manager Women’s and Children’s or Women’s Health Clinic Manager

DEPARTMENT:                      Center for Women’s Health

DATE LAST REVIEWED:       March 2025

OUR VISION:                           Creating America’s healthiest community, together

OUR MISSION:                        In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value

OUR VALUES:                         Accountability, Caring and Teamwork

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: The RN – Lead Lactation Consultant - Ambulatory positions 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 baby’s 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 patient’s/family’s physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and intellectual needs; and evaluates patient’s 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 Women’s and Children’s 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.

    View Orignal JOB on: nursingjobs.site

• 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 baby’s 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 System’s 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 patient’s 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 system’s 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: Bachelor’s 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).

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.

Schedule Weekly Hours:

24

Caregiver Type:

Regular

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Is Exempt Position?

No

Job Family:

NON CONTRACT RN

Scheduled Days of the Week:

Monday-Friday

Shift Start & End Time:

8:00-17:00