Overview

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

This position provides lactation and breastfeeding support services to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and other related departments at the hospital.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Educate patient families and staff about lactation and breastfeeding utilizing evidence based information.
• Assess maternal and infant factors related to lactation and feeding.
• Create individualized lactation and feeding plans during hospitalization and in preparation for discharge.
• Support lactation and breastfeeding goals.
• Intervene to help problem solve when lactation or breastfeeding issues and/or barriers arise.
• Facilitate the development of policies and guidelines that protect, promote, and support lactation and breastfeeding.
• Advocate for exclusive breastmilk feedings and breastfeeding.
• Maintain a collaborative relationship with patient families and multidisciplinary care team.
• Make referrals, as needed, to other health care providers and community support services.
• Record care provided.
• Participate in quality assurance and quality improvement projects.
• Participate in medical conferences, staff meetings, continuing education courses, team meetings and other related activities.
• Assist with general departmental maintenance related to lactation and breastfeeding.
• May assume team lead responsibilities of milk lab.
• At the discretion of department operational and patient care needs, this position is required to work rotating schedules, which may include variable hours, weekends, nights, and holidays to meet the staffing and patient care demands of a 24/7 complex health system. Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance during assigned shifts is considered an essential function of the role.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above with minimal supervision.

• Demonstrated availability to work variable and rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, in a 24/7 patient care environment.

• Effective critical thinking and communication skills.

• Specialized knowledge and clinical expertise in lactation, breastfeeding, and maternal newborn care.

• Ability to evaluate learning needs of family and provide education appropriate to age, culture, condition, and circumstances.

• Identify needs and areas for growth and development of position and program.

• Ability to maintain a current knowledge of safety issues needed in the treatment of patients.

• Ability to work within the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant's (IBCLC) scope of practice and according to the IBCLC's code of conduct.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Required

• International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) certification.
• Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Utah or equivalent degree with lactation experience and expectation that IBCLC certification is earned within two years of hire.

Licenses Required

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

Qualifications (Preferred)

Preferred

• Fluent in Spanish language.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This position involves intermediate working conditions in a healthcare setting that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving patients or objects, such as medical equipment, while providing patient care. Workers in this position may be exposed to infectious diseases.

Physical Requirements