Covenant Health

Lactation Consultant RN- Perinatal Education department

Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Varied Shifts

Hours will fluctuate depending on need for lactation consultant coverage-will include days, evenings, and possibly nights. Weekends and holidays are required.

Parkwest Overview:

Parkwest is West Knoxville’s premier medical facility and a top performing heart hospital. In addition to providing the area’s leading cardiac services, Parkwest has been nationally recognized for award-winning care throughout our facility. For 2020-21 Parkwest received recognition from U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Top 10” hospitals in Tennessee.

Position Summary: Responsible and accountable for breastfeeding education and support of nursing staff and mothers who plan to breast feed.

Recruiter: Angelica Adams || aadams16@covhlth.com || 865-373-1106

• Coordinates the services of the professional staff to the benefit of the lactating mother and her breastfeeding baby. Assess patient needs. Consults with mother and staff to help her meet her breastfeeding goals.
• Daily bedside lactation rounds.
• Based upon the assessment, formulates a plan of action with mother and staff to address her goal and any existing lactation problems.
• Documents care, teaching and the progress of the mother and baby on patient charts.
• Initiates discharge planning as related to the successful breast feeding dyad.
• Performs all independent nursing functions, and those ordered by physician.
• Coordinates patient/family education based upon assessment of patient readiness and patient preferences.
• Provides and maintains necessary supplies and equipment; including responsibility for ordering and billing.
• Serves as a consultant within the bounds of related field to all areas of the Covenant Health System and the community.
• Participates in planned orientation for new employees and in-services for staff, updating printed breastfeeding information given to patients and staff as needed.
• Appropriately utilizes team members, according to their abilities and position description.
• Identifies lactation consultant nurse role to patient, family, and health team members.
• Communicates patient’s status to other health team members, such as physicians, dietitian, nurses, social services, and discharge planners.
• Utilizes social services and all resources to promote, restore, and maintain optimal health care for patient and/or family.
• Assists the clinical instructor in providing clinical learning experiences for nursing students.
• Education et support for the mother whose infant or infants transfer to NICU about pumping.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

Minimum Education: None specified; however, must be sufficient to meet the standards for achievement of the below indicated license and/or certification as required by the issuing authority.

Minimum Experience: Two (2) years’ experience in a hospital as a staff nurse required; experience in obstetrics preferred.

Licensure Requirement: Current Tennessee nursing license. Certification by the International Board of Lactation Examiners (IBCLE)