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How great is the need for Certified Lactation Consultants?

Locally-Louisville, KY. Most jobs that I see are for RN IBCLC's in a hospital setting. I am an LPN and I do not want to work in a hospital setting. How great is the need for IBCLC's in private practices or places such a WIC clinics? #Breastfeeding #Lactationconsultant #IBCLC #medicine #healthcare #hospital-and-healthcare

hospital-and-healthcare lactationconsultant breastfeeding ibclc
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Leena’s Answer

There is a significant need for CLC's - and the demand is constantly growing! Many mothers are requesting lactation consultations and many health insurance companies are reimbursing for these services.
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Elizabeth’s Answer

Hi Sarah,

You are right- most acute care facilities (hospitals and birth centers) want to hire an RN (registered nurse) as lactation consultants so they can "float" to other units (L&D, Post-Partum, Nursery) when needed, but there are lots of other places to work! You already know about private (medical) practices and community clinics (Public Health, WIC, etc) but you can also work independently in your own business. And you can be from any background to become a lactation consultant- I know dieticians, nutritionists, social workers, physicians, birth coaches (doulas), massage therapists, childbirth educators, and moms who have breastfed who are also lactation consultants!

Because you already have a nursing degree (LPN), you are well-suited to be successful in lactation and already have a head start. Requirements vary by state, but you first need to complete a lactation training program and complete the required practice hours to sit for the national certification exam: IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), which is offered twice per year. Washington state (where I live) requires 90 hours of training and 1000 hours of practice, but continuing nursing education hours count toward the 90 hours and the practice hours can be on the job, as a volunteer or working alongside a lactation consultant as your preceptor.

Best of luck to you!

Elizabeth recommends the following next steps:

1. Find out the educational and practice requirements for certification as a lactation consultant in Kentucky.
2. Search for jobs with these terms: "lactation consultant", "IBCLC", "breastfeeding" and "lactation nurse". Become familiar with the job requirements.
3. Check out this website for the international organization's "Pathway 1" to become a lactation consultant for "recognized healthcare professionals": https://iblce.org/step-1-prepare-for-ibclc-certification/lactation-specific-clinical-experience/pathway-1/
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