Midwife Educator / Lactation Consultant

POSITION TITLE: Midwife Educator / Lactation Consultant

POSITION SUMMARY:

Demonstrates qualifications as a Lactation Consultant and experience in breastfeeding assistance, education and advice. Liases, assists, and interacts with the Head Nurse/Charge Nurse/Community Liaison in developing and maintaining a safe, baby-friendly environment according to international standards, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS) standards and the American Hospital Dubai's policies. Implements an ongoing plan for educational sessions to standardise, optimise, and promote breastfeeding and rooming in of babies according to the Hospital Policy and International Standards. Reports directly to the Nurse Manager.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops and implements guidelines under the supervision and guidance of the Nurse Manager for a baby-friendly environment according to Departmental/Hospital policies, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS) standards and the World Health Organization's (WHO) Baby Friendly Initiative. 
• Assesses education needs of patients and staff, and provides effective and appropriate education concerning baby-friendly initiatives.
• Demonstrates continual assessment, coordination and planning of feeding of all babies, implementing a documented feeding plan for each baby. This should include the individualized assessment of risk for breastfeeding difficulties, side effects of medications and contraindications for breastfeeding.
• Collaborates with Paediatricians, Obstetricians, Nursery staff, Obstetrics and Gynecology staff and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to provide optimum newborn care plans that include: feeding, breast care and bonding.
• Participates in staff meetings and unit committees/projects as directed.
• Liaises, informs, discusses, and updates the Nurse Manager on all relevant issues to optimize the continuation of the nursing care process.
• Additional duties as assigned (may include floating to Labour and Delivery or Obstetrics and Gynecology as a midwife when required).
• Updates and revises the scope of service yearly as per best practice guidelines and the needs of the community, the patients and the organization.
• Develops and implements a nursing team approach aimed at providing a baby-friendly environment using the American Hospital Dubai's Policy and the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding as a guideline (WHO/UNICEF Statement 1989).
• Attends Pediatrician rounds and liaises with the multi-disciplinary team regarding feeding plans, interventions and problems. 
• Oversees the care and maintenance of breastfeeding equipment. 
• Maintains competency and ensures all end users are trained and competent in the use of equipment and materials necessary for lactation. 
• Performs nursing interventions/procedures per established standards.
• Assists colleagues with diagnostic therapeutic interventions.
• Performs nursing education per established standards of care and policy and procedures.
• Maintains accurate and thorough documentation following established standards.
• Trains and ensures competence of all Obstetrics and Gynecology, Labour and Delivery, Nursery, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Staff Nurses in Breastfeeding.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Bachelor's degree in nursing (minimum of three (3) years full-time course duration) or
• Degree in Nursing (minimum two (2) years course duration) and Registration as a Registered Nurse from Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia
• For UAE nationals graduates of UAE or non-UAE universities are exempted from the experience and clinical training requirements for the applied title. (UAE nationals must submit a copy of their birth certificate and the mother's family book)
• Non-UAE national graduates from UAE universities are required to successfully complete six (6) months of clinical training post-graduation in an APS health facility (except for Registered and assistant Nurse titles)
• Must hold a valid License/Registration to practice in their home country and/or country of last employment (where applicable)
• Must hold a minimum of a valid Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification or others according to the scope of practice
• Certified Lactation Consultant

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of two (2) years of recent post-graduate experience as a Midwife in Obstetrics Unit
• Knowledge of and ability to render care and services based on age, appropriateness, and developmental needs of mother and baby as an individual unit – with special regard for feeding
• Skills in the assessment of patient and family's physical and psychological needs
• Skills in coordination and planning of care and prioritizing care based on individual needs
• Skills in problem-solving/critical thinking ensuring effective functioning of unit routine