Lactation Consultant

Location: Melbourne | Western Metropolitan

Job type: Part time

Organisation: Western Health

**Salary**: Salary not specified

Occupation: Nursing

Reference: 51319

The Lactation Service provides clinical expertise in the management of breastfeeding and lactation, counselling to mothers and their families on the initiation, exclusivity and duration of breastfeeding and lactation and assist amidst any difficulties or high-risk situations. The Lactation Consultants work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team in order achieve optimal breastfeeding and lactation outcomes.The Lactation Service also have a key role in facilitating Breastfeeding Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) Accreditation whilst delivering best practice clinical care within Maternity Services, Newborn Services, Children’s Ward, Intensive Care Unit, Medical and Surgical Units and the Emergency Department at Sunshine Hospital.

We are seeking dedicated and motivated Lactation Consultants with outstanding clinical experience and knowledge, effective interpersonal skills and demonstrated willingness to develop and maintain their own knowledge in order to contribute to the development, implementation and maintenance of our innovative Lactation Service.

**To be Successful in this Role you**
- Will be kind and empathetic when supporting the needs of mothers and their family structures in working towards breastfeeding and lactation goals
- Protect, promote and support breastfeeding for women and their families of the West
- Will display a keen interest in relation to research, quality improvement projects and policy and procedure development
- Demonstrate skills and knowledge required for the design and delivery of lactation and infant feeding education for all staff
- Ensure that all services provided are woman focused, integrated, consistent, evidenced based and aligned with WHO and United Nations Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) ‘Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding

**About Us**

Our workforce of over 11,000 employees are driven by our values of ‘Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence and Safety’ (CARES). We value our people and provide them the opportunity to grow and develop. Our teams are friendly and supportive, ensuring we deliver a safe, person-centred and connected patient experience.
Western Health is in a period of rapid growth. Our services comprise of four acute public hospitals: Footscray Hospital, Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women's and Children's), Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh & Melton Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Day Hospital, Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care, as well as community health centres in Melton, Caroline Springs and Bacchus Marsh and a range of mental health and community-based services. We care for a diverse community of more than 1 million people with complex care needs ranging from Neonates to Geriatrics.

Our employees enjoy a wide range of benefits such as:

- Professional development support
- Career advancement opportunities
- Salary packaging including novated vehicle leasing
- Work-life balance

Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe.