Lactation Consultant
Under close supervision the Lactation Consultant provides comprehensive breastfeeding care, counseling, support and education to breastfeeding women and infants who participate in the Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) and to parents who have limited access to lactation services within the community.
Knowledge of
- Practices according to the Scope of Practice and the Code of Conduct of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners
- Rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the WIC Program, the County and individual grant funders
- Comprehensive lactation care and education
- Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and other specialized applications related to area of assignment
- Basic arithmetic (i.e., addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, percentages, ratios, and fractions)
- Proficient English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
- Principles of effective customer service and motivational interviewing techniques
Ability to
- Establish and maintain cooperative, effective working relationships with participants, co-workers, health professionals, employees of other agencies and the general public
- Exercise appropriate tact and judgment
- Work well independently and/or within a team
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
- Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
- Effectively organize and prioritize work assignments
- Keep accurate and orderly records
- Make arithmetical computations accurately and rapidly
- Maintain confidential information in accordance to WIC and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines
- Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations
- Apply customer service skills, including the identification of customer needs and follow up to ensure customer commitments have been met
- Relate and work with people of all ages, social, racial, and ethnic backgrounds and maintain participant confidentiality
- Exhibit a positive attitude about breastfeeding and demonstrate breastfeeding knowledge during interactions with participants
- Contribute to a comfortable and positive breastfeeding environment and model positive breastfeeding attitudes towards participants and staff
- Consistently demonstrate compliance with WIC policies and procedures
- Convey a sense of confidence and trust to all participants
- Carry out administrative and consultative responsibilities as required
- Analyze, prioritize, meet deadlines and maintain high standards of confidentiality
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a valid International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) credential.