Job Description

Why Merit Health?

Choosing a career is about more than finding a job, it's about joining a team where you are respected, valued, and supported. At Merit Health, your work has a meaningful impact, your contributions are recognized, and your professional growth is encouraged.

Job Summary

The Lactation Consultant RN provides expert care and support for breastfeeding/chest-feeding parents and their infants. This role is responsible for assessing, planning, and implementing individualized lactation care plans and collaborating with families and the healthcare team to promote optimal feeding outcomes. The Lactation Consultant RN demonstrates advanced clinical knowledge in breastfeeding/chest-feeding and human lactation, providing education, consultation, and hands-on support in inpatient and outpatient settings.

Essential Functions

• Provides specialized lactation care and clinical management for breastfeeding/chest-feeding dyads, as well as pumping parents, using evidence-based practices.
• Assesses patient and infant needs, developing individualized lactation care plans to address challenges and optimize feeding outcomes.
• Facilitates breastfeeding by teaching proper positioning, latch techniques, breast care, and strategies to manage challenges such as engorgement or low milk supply.
• Supports parents of infants with special needs, such as premature infants or those with medical conditions (e.g., cleft lip), offering tailored interventions and guidance.
• Educates parents and families on feeding cues, milk expression techniques, and use of manual or electric breast pumps, promoting confidence and self-efficacy.
• Collaborates with the healthcare team to coordinate care and ensure appropriate discharge plans, providing resources for continued lactation support.
• Addresses contraindications to breastfeeding, such as maternal or infant medical conditions, and provides alternative feeding plans or pumping support as necessary.
• Serves as a resource to healthcare providers, offering education and consultation to enhance knowledge of lactation care and support.
• Maintains documentation of patient interactions, care plans, and outcomes in compliance with organizational and regulatory standards.
• Provides direct patient care, including attending deliveries and cesarean sections, when needed, to initiate lactation support.
• Reports concerns and challenges to appropriate leadership in a timely manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• 0-2 years of direct experience as a lactation consultant required
• 0-2 years of clinical experience in maternal-child health, obstetrics, or pediatrics preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced clinical knowledge of breastfeeding/chest-feeding and human lactation practices.
• Strong teaching and communication skills to educate parents, families, and healthcare teams.
• Ability to assess and address complex lactation challenges with empathy and professionalism.
• Knowledge of infection prevention protocols and universal precautions.
• Collaborative skills to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Organizational and time management skills to prioritize patient needs in a fast-paced environment.

Licenses and Certifications

• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure required
• IBCLC - International Board Certified Lactation Consultant required
• BCLS - Basic Life Support issued by American Heart Association (AHA), American Red Cross (ARC), or American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) required
• NRP - Neonatal Resuscitation issued by American Heart Association (AHA), American Red Cross (ARC), or American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) required
• NALS - Neonatal Advanced Life Support issued by American Heart Association (AHA), American Red Cross (ARC), or American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) required

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. for any employer.