Lactation Peer Counselor

About the Unit

6 and 8 Center at Butterworth Hospital are secure units with 20 private beds on each that specialize in Women and Infant Services, specifically postpartum care of Mother Baby couplets, after labor and delivery. The average length of postpartum patient stay here is 2-3 days. The excellent care provided by the 110 members of our Nursing and Support Team within Postpartum, provides team members and patients with memories that last a lifetime. Were here to guide parents through this transitional period, offering assistance, education, and support every step of the way. We even have Lactation Peer Counselors and Consultants available during your inpatient stay and a lactation warmline for continued assistance.

About Butterworth Hospital

Right in the heart of Grand Rapids, you’ll find a nationally recognized hospital for patient quality and safety and the regional leader in full-service hospitals. Since 1873, we have been growing and building a reputation of excellence in care, diagnostics, treatment, prevention and education. It is the flagship hospital for Corewell Health Grand Rapids Hospitals.

Scope of work

The Lactation Peer Counselor is a support role, which is different from the Lactation Peer Consultant (RN) they work closely with.

Handles incoming and outgoing communications to breastfeeding mothers. Provides information, counsels, and supports breastfeeding mothers. Uses evaluation tools to measure the effectiveness of teaching. Responsible for maintaining records regarding educational programs and equipment rentals.

Provide information to prenatal women interested in breastfeeding, the benefits, reasons to breast feed, latching on, getting started in the hospital, supply and demand, preventing problems, growth spurts, and to discourage bottles and pacifiers in the hospital.

Provide information and support to postpartum mothers to encourage the continuance of successful breastfeeding and to respond to concerns or problems and/or on the expression and storage of breast milk, and pumping.

Accept and coordinate phones calls related to breastfeeding issues. Organize accurate records of all contacts and follow-up phone calls.

Teaches how breast pump works, handles question by telephone on how to work equipment, and follows up with mothers to see how they are functioning 24/48 hours after discharge. Refer breastfeeding problems to Lactation Consultants if immediate attention is required or if the problem is beyond his/her level of knowledge and/or skills.

Core Schedule

Night shift Lactation Peers work 4pm-4:30am, and will have a set schedule that will require flexibility to work variable weeknights and rotate in weekends.

Qualifications

Required High School Diploma or equivalent upon hire and completion of a lactation counselor course within 1 year of start date

Preferred Associates Degree or equivalent

CERT – Lactation Peer Counselor – ALPP Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice Grand Rapids Hospitals Required Within 1 Year

1 year of relevant work experience is preferred

Physical Demands

Pallet to Waist (6″ from floor) > 5 lbs: Seldom up to 20 lbs

Waist to Waist > 5 lbs: Seldom up to 20 lbs

Waist to Chest (below shoulder) > 5 lbs: Seldom up to 10 lbs

Waist to Overhead > 5 lbs: Seldom up to 5 lbs

Bilateral Carry > 5 lbs: Seldom up to 20 lbs

Unilateral Carry > 5 lbs: Seldom up to 10 lbs

Pushing Force > 5 lbs: Seldom up to 20 lbs

Pulling Force > 5 lbs: Seldom up to 20 lbs

Sitting: Occasionally

Standing: Occasionally

Walking: Occasionally

Forward Bend – Standing: Seldom

Forward Bend – Sitting: Seldom

Trunk Rotation – Standing: Seldom

Trunk Rotation – Sitting: Seldom

Squat: Seldom

Stair Climbing: Seldom

Crawling / Kneeling: Seldom

Reach – Above Shoulder: Seldom

Reach – at Shoulder or Below: Occasionally

Handling: Occasionally

Forceful Grip > 5 lbs: Occasionally

Forceful Pinch > 2 lbs: Occasionally

Finger/Hand Dexterity: Frequently

Visual Acuity ¹[None = No; Seldom = Yes]: Seldom

Primary Location

SITE – Butterworth Hospital – 100 Michigan St – Grand Rapids

Department Name

Post Partum – 6C & 8C Butterworth

Employment Type

Part time

Shift

Night (United States of America)

Weekly Scheduled Hours

24

Hours of Work

4:00 P.M. to 4:30 A.M.

Days Worked

Core Schedule

Weekend Frequency

Every third weekend

CURRENT COREWELL HEALTH TEAM MEMBERS – Please apply through Find Jobs from your Workday team member account. This career site is for Non-Corewell Health team members only.

Corewell Health is committed to providing a safe environment for our team members, patients, visitors, and community. We require a drug-free workplace and require team members to comply with the MMR, Varicella, Tdap, and Influenza vaccine requirement if in an on-site or hybrid workplace category. We are committed to supporting prospective team members who require reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application process, to perform the essential functions of a job, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment due to a disability, pregnancy, or sincerely held religious belief.

Corewell Health grants equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, genetic information, marital status, height, weight, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other legally protected category.

An interconnected, collaborative culture where all are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work, is vital to the health of our organization. As a health system, we advocate for equity as we care for our patients, our communities, and each other. From workshops that develop cultural intelligence, to our inclusion resource groups for people to find community and empowerment at work, we are dedicated to ongoing resources that advance our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. We invite those that share in our commitment to join our team.

You may request assistance in completing the application process by calling 616.486.7447.