Covenant Health

Lactation Consultant Registered Nurse

Part Time, 48 hours per pay period, Variable shifts

Flexible hours. Weekends and holidays required. 

Parkwest Overview:

Headquartered in Knoxville, Covenant Health is a community-owned integrated healthcare delivery system and the area’s largest employer.

Parkwest is Covenant Health’s and West Knoxville’s premier medical facility and a top-performing heart hospital, offering our patients world-class treatment with all the convenience and warmth of home.

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.

Knoxville located in East Tennessee is the third largest in the state, well-known for its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and is the home of the University of Tennessee. Go Vols!  Living in Knoxville means experiencing all four seasons.  Best of all, each of them is pretty mild!

Combine all that with the abundant natural beauty of the surrounding mountains, and you have a city that truly offers something for everyone. Knoxville has a vibrant arts culture, seasonal festivals, top-notch foodie and incredible outdoor recreation. It’s a perfect blend of big-city amenities and Southern charm.

Position Summary:

Responsible and accountable for breastfeeding education and support of nursing staff and mothers who plan to breastfeed.

Recruiter: Angelica Adams || aadams16@covhlth.com || 865-374-5405

• Coordinates the services of the professional staff to the benefit of the lactating mother and her breastfeeding baby. Assesses patient needs. Consults with mother and staff to help her meet her breastfeeding goals.
• Performs daily bedside lactation rounds.
• Based upon the assessment, formulates a plan of action with mother and staff to address goals 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 breastfeeding 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.
• 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 status to other health team members, such as physicians, dietitians, 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.
• Provides education and support about pumping for the mother whose infant or infants transfer to NICU.
• 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.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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 of experience in a hospital as a staff nurse required.

Licensure Requirement:      

Must have and maintain current Tennessee nursing license. Certification by the International Board of Lactation Examiners (IBCLE) within 18 months of starting the position.