Midwife Educator / Lactation Consultant

Overview

• 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.