CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital - Westover Hills (CSRH-WH) is a 150-bed hospital serving the fastest growing area of San Antonio. Specialized care includes orthopedic and surgical services, ICU, women’s services, a newborn nursery, comprehensive cardiovascular care from diagnostics to open heart surgery, vascular lab, sleep center, emergency services, the CHRISTUS Weight Loss Institute, wound care, rehabilitation, and more. The campus also boasts an Outpatient Imaging Center and three medical plazas, one of which houses our CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency Program and CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Family Health Center. 

Summary:

The Registered Nurse Lactation Consultant Lead is responsible for overseeing and providing expert lactation support and education to breastfeeding mothers and infants. This role involves leading a team of lactation consultants, offering in-person consultations, telephone follow-ups, and outpatient services to address lactation challenges, promote breastfeeding success, and ensure optimal care for mothers and infants. The Lactation Consultant Lead works closely with physicians, nursing staff, and other healthcare providers to coordinate care, promote lactation resources, and ensure continuity of lactation support after discharge. This role also includes staff training, program development, and quality improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.

Leadership & Team Management:

• Lead and support a team of Lactation Consultants to ensure effective delivery of lactation education and support services.
• Provide guidance, training, and mentoring to staff, fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional development. Ensures all new clinical team members have initial lactation education, and all clinical team members complete annual lactation education.
• Monitor and assess team performance, contribute to regular evaluations, offer constructive feedback, and implement performance improvement plans when necessary.
• Ensure team members maintain required certifications and competencies in lactation care.

Clinical Lactation Care:

• Lead efforts in educating mothers and families about proper breastfeeding techniques, infant feeding cues, and the benefits of breastfeeding.
• Provide expert lactation support to mothers and infants, including assessment, counseling, and management of lactation challenges.
• Appropriately cares for/interacts with various populations served regarding age, disease, condition, and culture.
• Conduct individual and group breastfeeding education sessions, addressing various aspects of breastfeeding and infant nutrition.
• Perform comprehensive assessments of mothers and infants, providing recommendations for effective lactation practices and interventions.
• Address breastfeeding difficulties, such as latch issues, low milk supply, or nipple pain, with evidence-based approaches.

Program Development & Improvement:

• Contribute to the development, implementation, and ongoing improvement of lactation services, ensuring that they align with current evidence-based guidelines.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including physicians, pediatricians, and nursing staff, to ensure comprehensive care for breastfeeding families.
• Participate in policy and protocol development for lactation services, ensuring alignment with institutional goals.
• Works with marketing to promote lactation services.
• Acts as a community liaison and provides community outreach.

Patient and Family Education:

• Provide patient-centered education, support, and resources for mothers, families, and caregivers on breastfeeding techniques and infant nutrition.
• Address concerns, provide emotional support, and empower families to make informed decisions regarding lactation.
• Develop educational materials and resources for patients and staff, ensuring clarity and accessibility.
• Teaches prenatal lactation classes as needed.

Quality Improvement & Data Collection:

• Collect and analyze data related to breastfeeding rates, challenges, and patient outcomes to identify areas for improvement.
• Participate in ongoing quality improvement initiatives and audits to enhance the effectiveness of lactation support services.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, patient safety standards, and accreditation expectations.

Administrative Duties:

• Oversee scheduling of lactation consultant staff, ensuring adequate coverage for all shifts and patient needs.
• Manage budgets, supplies, and resources for the lactation program. Oversees the rental program.
• Maintain accurate and timely patient documentation, including assessments, care plans, and follow-up reports. Completes chart audit reviews.
• Manages the vast majority of certifications and designations, such as Baby Friendly Certification, Texas Ten Steps, and associated quality improvement projects.
• Coordinates and maintains the Donor Breast Milk Program and works with external agencies to ensure the integrity and sustainability of the program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education/Skills
• Associate degree in nursing is required.
• Bachelor's degree in nursing is preferred.
• Excellent communication, counseling, and interpersonal skills required
• Must be able to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team and support diverse patient populations
• Strong organizational and documentation skills required

Experience
• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a lactation consultant, with at least 1 year of leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience in a hospital or clinical setting, particularly in maternal-child health or women's health, is preferred.
• Must have the ability to assess and manage a wide range of lactation issues using the nursing process.

Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
• Registered Nurse (RN) License in the state of employment or compact is required.
• IBCLC (International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant) certification is required within one year of hire date.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification is required.
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) certification is required.

In accordance with the CHRISTUS Health License, Certification, and Registration Verification Policy, all Associates are required to obtain the required certifications for their respective positions within the designated time frame.

Work Schedule:

5 Days - 8 Hours

Work Type:

Full Time