Division: Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Classification: HD Public Health and Prevention Specialist III
Working Title: International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
Direct Supervisor: Cedar Park WIC Team Lead
This is a part-time position that performs highly complex (senior-level) public health work. The IBCLC provides clinical lactation support and counseling for WIC clients who are having breastfeeding problems beyond the scope of the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor or Nutritionist’s skill levels. The IBCLC assists in training of WIC employees and other health care professionals as well as outreach to the community on the benefits and management of breastfeeding to support WIC program goals. The IBCLC may work outside of the WIC Clinic environment, including making home or hospital visits to WIC clients and may be assigned to work after regular clinic hours, including occasional non-traditional work hours. May serve as a lead worker providing direction to others. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. This job description outlines the primary duties of the role; however, additional related duties may be assigned
Data Analytics/Assessment
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Accurately completes documentation as required in TXIN, to include lactation counseling notes, follow-up notes, and pump issuance and retrieval documentation for follow-up and evaluation purposes.
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Changes appointment date/time in the TXIN system as needed to assure accuracy of appointments scheduled
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Assists the Breastfeeding Coordinator, Team Leads and/or WIC Director with clinic appointment schedules for IBCLC (High Risk) appointments and Pre-natal Breastfeeding classes
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Evaluates BF promotion/support activities and implements necessary changes to ensure that breastfeeding rates increase at the Local Agency
Policy Development/Program Planning-
Participate in QI activities to support a culture of Quality Improvement within the WIC division
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Assists with reports, inventories, and distribution of breast pumps, breastfeeding aids, and other breastfeeding materials for all WIC clinics.
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Participates in Breastfeeding Coordinator Sharing Sessions along with Local Agency Breastfeeding Coordinator and shares information and updates from the sessions with appropriate staff, as needed
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Assists in formulating definitions, standards, processes and policies for effective and efficient rendering of breastfeeding related WIC services and the enforcement of related policies, laws and regulations
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Reconciles breast pump issuance logs, investigating discrepancies and documenting outcome for continuous quality improvement and assists in completion of Quality Management Plan
Communication and Cultural Competency
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Follows the local agency High Risk Referral Policy and procedures for follow up with High-Risk Lactation Referrals
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Teaches breastfeeding classes and leads support groups for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, or mentor BFPCs leading group meetings as deemed appropriate by local agency
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Provides lactation evaluation and consultations with WIC clients experiencing problems with breastfeeding by telephone, virtual video appointment, WIC clinic visit, and/or hospital or home visit, as deemed necessary
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Coordinates the breastfeeding client’s care and follow-up with the physician, family, and/ or WIC staff as necessary and appropriate to assure efficient service to clients.
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Make referrals for medical follow-up or other services as needed.
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Ensures timely follow-up services by telephone, virtual video appointment, WIC clinic visits, and/or hospital or home visit, as deemed necessary
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May be assigned to consult WIC clients with high-risk situations during non-traditional work hours and/or on weekends
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Completes follow-up with multi-user pump retrieval protocol as warranted.
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Complies with state and local WIC policies regarding the issuance of breast pumps and specialized equipment specific for breastfeeding problems as appropriate
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Maintains, cleans, and inventories breast pumps and supplies according to schedule and policy
Community Partnership
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Distributes breastfeeding information and promotes breastfeeding in the clinic(s) and at educational events.
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Provides information and promotes breastfeeding among peers.
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Answer program questions for interested individuals and applicants as needed. Refer questions regarding nutrition and formula to the appropriate staff.
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Participates in community outreach activities (must participate in at least 3 events annually, unless otherwise directed)
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Provides coverage and participates in breastfeeding support groups, prenatal and postnatal classes on various breastfeeding topics.
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Assists with Nutrition Education and Breastfeeding classes as requested by Team Lead
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Networks with other health professionals and community organizations to promote and support Breastfeeding in the community
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Participates on committees with internal and external partner agencies as requested
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Collaborates with community partners to improve breastfeeding rates and success
Public Health Sciences
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Assesses breastfeeding situations and provides counseling to potentially high-risk mothers and infants.
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Refers participants to appropriate professionals either internally or externally for high-risk medical, physical, or emotional conditions. Participants identified as having a “red flag” will be immediately referred to receive urgent medical care.
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Provide support of WIC breastfeeding activities including ensuring the clinic environment at each WIC location promotes and supports breastfeeding
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Ensures that all individual lactation counseling and nutrition education classes that address infant feeding promote breastfeeding as the preferred way to feed an infant
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Provides client care as appropriate within the scope of practice guidelines for an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
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Receives referrals from breastfeeding peer counselors (BFPCs) other WIC staff, and local providers for WIC mothers who may be experiencing complex maternal and infant breastfeeding problems beyond their scope of practice or expertise
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Provides concise, relevant, and sound lactation counseling
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Counsels any potential high-risk mothers needing nipple shields, breast pumps or other instruction on use of equipment for complex breastfeeding situations
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Refers mothers and infants in a timely manner when complexity of breastfeeding problems necessitates medical intervention or when problems are in an area other than breastfeeding
Leadership and Systems Thinking-
Follows International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners Professional Standards
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Provides breastfeeding training for peer counselors and WIC staff, and assists in providing training and education in lactation management as deemed appropriate by local agency
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Mentors new BFPCs through shadowing opportunities and ongoing guidance
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Communicates with other health professionals regarding high-risk cases, and refers mothers with medical concerns beyond the IBCLC Scope of Practice
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Completes annual required training as required by WIC and WCCHD policies and guidelines
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Participates in professional development opportunities as determined appropriate by local agency
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Attends Breastfeeding Peer Counselor staff meetings as scheduled throughout the year
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Serves as the Designated Breastfeeding Expert (DBE) for WCCHD WIC clinic sites
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Assists Breastfeeding Coordinator and/or WIC Director with breastfeeding training and technical breastfeeding support to Breastfeeding Peer Counselors or WIC Professional Staff as needed
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Maintains thorough working knowledge of state and local WIC policies and procedures and WCCHD policies and business practices
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Maintains thorough knowledge of TXIN system
Other-
May participate on a WCCHD committee or task force
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Performs related work as assigned
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Maintains organized and orderly work areas
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In the event of a public health emergency, employees may be called upon to support WCCHD’s response in ways that are outside the usual scope of their job responsibilities. This may involve working hours that are outside the employee’s usual work hours. Employees will not be required to perform duties that are outside of their competence or professional licensure.
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with our without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed without posing a direct threat to health or safety of themselves or others.
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Knowledge of public health essential services
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Knowledge of current breastfeeding recommendations
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Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships
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Skill in using a computer, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Professional
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Skill in use of virtual platforms
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Skill in teaching and promoting good breastfeeding skills
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Skill in time management
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Ability to work in a collaborative manner
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Ability to adapt to change
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Ability to respect the opinions and beliefs of others
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Ability to demonstrate sense of responsibility for the success of the team
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Ability to establish goals and objectives, policies, and procedures that support a strategic plan
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Ability to prioritize activities and manage multiple responsibilities
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Ability to apply rapport building, critical thinking, and goal-setting skills with clients to achieve positive health outcomes
Environmental Factors: Works mostly in a well-lighted, air-conditioned office. May work in various WCCHD offices around the county and in a variety of community locations. Occasional work activities may be outdoors and, therefore, employee will be exposed to heat and cold. May have extensive contact with the public. May have contact with persons who may be infected with contagious diseases. Certain immunizations and/or TB skin test may be required. Tobacco/vapor-free workplace.
Direct Supervisor of: 0
FLSA Classification: Non- Exempt
Location and Hours: 350 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park, TX; 0.45 FTE; This part-time position is scheduled to work 18 hours per week during WCCHD WIC general business hours, which are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Specific workdays and hours will be determined based on the selected candidate’s availability and operational needs. This position may require travel to the different WCCHD WIC locations as needed. Work may require occasional early morning, evening, weekend, and/or holiday hours. Extended hours may be required in the event of a public health emergency.
Job Performance Evaluation: The employee will be evaluated at least annually, but more often if warranted.
