About Us

Western Health manages three acute public hospitals: Footscray, Sunshine and Williamstown Hospital. It also operates the Sunbury Day Hospital, Transition Care at Hazeldean and a range of community based services. We care for a culturally diverse population of more than 1 million people. We have 7,000 employees who are driven by our values of ‘Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence and Safety’ (CARES).

Our continued growth has seen the addition of a new purpose built, multi-storey Joan Kirner Women's and Children's at Sunshine Hospital.

About the Role

The Lactation Consultant is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant who has excellent clinical skills and extensive experience in supporting breastfeeding in Maternity Wards, Special Care Nursery and other areas of Sunshine Hospital where a breastfeeding mother and/or baby are patients. 

As a professional, the Lactation Consultant is accountable for:

The maintenance of their own clinical knowledge, further education and working within the confines of their specific scope of practice at all times, in accordance with the boundaries set by their experience and skill. 

The Lactation Consultant provides expert professional support and clinical services on lactation and breastfeeding issues. The Lactation Consultant provides best practice clinical care within the maternity, neonatal, paediatric and emergency settings at Sunshine Hospital. When required these services extend to critical care areas and medical/surgical units. 

The Lactation Consultant supports the breastfeeding education of students and health professionals in the clinical areas. 

The Lactation Consultant will advocate for and advance the status of Sunshine Hospital as a facility accredited by the Baby Friendly Health Initiative according to WHO guidelines. The Lactation Consultant will ensure that the service is woman focused, integrated, consistent and evidence-based

Duties

• Function as a member of the multidisciplinary team to provide a consistently high standard of clinical care to women and babies
• Model the behaviours and actions outlined in the Western Health vision for Best Care
• Work with other employees, departments, services and consumers to develop, implement and evaluate local initiatives to contribute to the organisational best care objectives
• Ensure compliance with the expected standards of performance in the role as described by the relevant professional bodies/industry standards
• Participate in relevant professional development and continuing education activities including rotations within the ward/unit

Skills & Experience OR Essential Criteria

• Currently registered with the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners
• Experience providing lactation support services
• Demonstrate organisational skills, particularly with respect to time management in the provision of care
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Have highly developed interpersonal skills
• Demonstrate an ability to practice collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary health care team
• A commitment to high quality, safe and person centred care
• Possess excellent clinical skills
• Demonstrated ability to practice collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary health care team
• Demonstrated evidence of undertaking professional development activities to maintain and enhance expertise

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits such as:

• Work-life balance
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities
• Salary packaging including novated vehicle leasing
• Onsite fitness clubs
• Culturally safe and respectful environment
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program

Culture

At Western Health, we value our employees 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 an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining diversity in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation status clearance and (if applicable) a Working With Children’s Check.

Western Health do not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from Recruitment Agencies.