UC San Diego Health is a Magnet designated organization, which is a prestigious recognition that applies to only 10% of all U.S. hospitals. Magnet is the "gold standard" for nursing excellence and is based on strengths in five key areas which include transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, new knowledge, innovation and improvements and empirical outcomes. UC San Diego Health has held its Magnet status since 2011.

The International Board-Certified Lactation nurse provides family-centered care to infants and mothers of infants on the Women and Infant units at Jacobs Medical Center and LDRP at Hillcrest. They provide education and support to families, patients and staff and are an integral part of our Baby-Friendly designation and active participants in upholding the superb quality outcomes of our newborns. Responsibilities include collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to ensure timely consults, education and support, outside agencies/organizations as defined in organizational agreements, routine couplet care, care of late pre-term newborns and high-risk postpartum adults. They serve as subject matter experts regarding breastfeeding, milk production, policies and supplies and equipment. Those successful will have excellent critical thinking and time management skills and be self-motivated, patient advocates, and effective communicators.

Autonomous nursing care is the ability of a nurse to assess and provide nursing actions as appropriate for patient care populations based on competence, professional expertise, and knowledge. The nurse is expected to practice autonomously consistent with ANA Standards of Practice and Professional Performance. Independent judgment is expected to be exercised within the context of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to patient care.

While not required, a cover letter is highly recommended when applying to this position.

• Must be a graduate from an accredited school of Nursing.
• RN License issued by the State of California.
• BLS/CPR certification at time of hire with commitment to get BART within six (6) months of hire date.
• NRP certification (with AAP/AHA affiliation).
• Minimum two (2) years of recent Lactation RN experience. (If insufficient applicant pool, applicants with one (1) year of Lactation RN experience may be considered). Recent experience is within the past 1 (one) year.
• Minimum one (1) year of relevant RN experience.
• Experience working in a baby-friendly designated hospital.
• Ability to perform triage and handle critical and/or urgent situations with accuracy, expediency, speed, and tact.
• Strong professionalism and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with all levels of staff, physicians, patients and external constituents, both verbally and in writing.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to manage multiple levels of information and responsibilities, and to quickly assess moderately-complex problems to develop potential solutions.

• BSN.
• Two years Postpartum RN experience.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• IBCLC Certification.
• Leadership experience.
• Experience working in an academic medical center.
• Evidence of contributions to improving nursing practice through quality improvement.

• Must be able to work various hours, days, shifts, on-call and various locations based on the 24-hour Medical Center's business needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.
• Selected candidate may be hired at the CNIII or CNIV level pending review and approval by the Nurse Executive Council.