Midwife Educator / Lactation Consultant

Role Overview

Midwife Educator / Lactation Consultant at American Hospital Dubai, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Role Purpose

Deliver breastfeeding assistance, education and advice while developing and maintaining a safe, baby-friendly environment according to international standards, Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS) standards and American Hospital Dubai policies. Implement an ongoing educational programme to standardize, optimize and promote breastfeeding and rooming-in of babies according to Hospital Policy and International Standards.

Key Responsibilities

Breastfeeding Education & Support

• Assess education needs of patients and staff and provide effective and appropriate education concerning baby-friendly initiatives.
• Demonstrate continual assessment, coordination and planning of feeding of all babies, implementing a documented feeding plan for each baby.
• Implement individualized assessment of risk for breastfeeding difficulties, side effects of medications and contraindications for breastfeeding.
• Train and ensure competence of all Obstetrics and Gynecology, Labour and Delivery, Nursery, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Staff Nurses in Breastfeeding.
• Oversee the care and maintenance of breastfeeding equipment.
• Maintain competency and ensure all end users are trained and competent in the use of equipment and materials necessary for lactation.
• Perform nursing education per established standards of care and policy and procedures.

Baby-Friendly Environment & Standards

• Develop and implement guidelines under the supervision and guidance of the Nurse Manager for a baby-friendly environment according to Departmental and Hospital policies, Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS) standards and the World Health Organization's (WHO) Baby Friendly Initiative.
• Develop and implement a nursing team approach aimed at providing a baby-friendly environment using American Hospital Dubai's Policy and the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding as a guideline (WHO/UNICEF Statement 1989).
• Update and revise the scope of service yearly as per best practice guidelines and the needs of the community, the patients and the organization.

Collaborative Care & Multidisciplinary Liaison

• Collaborate with Paediatricians, Obstetricians, Nursery staff, Obstetrics and Gynecology staff and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to provide optimum newborn care plans that include feeding, breast care and bonding.
• Attend Pediatrician rounds and liaise with the multi-disciplinary team regarding feeding plans, interventions and problems.
• Liaise, inform, discuss and update the Nurse Manager on all relevant issues to optimize the continuation of the nursing care process.

Clinical Practice & Patient Care

• Render care and services based on age, appropriateness and developmental needs of mother and baby as an individual unit with special regard for feeding.
• Assess patient and family's physical and psychological needs.
• Coordinate and plan care, prioritizing care based on individual needs.
• Apply problem-solving and critical thinking to ensure effective functioning of unit routine.
• Perform nursing interventions and procedures per established standards.
• Assist colleagues with diagnostic therapeutic interventions.
• Perform additional duties as assigned, which may include floating to Labour and Delivery or Obstetrics and Gynecology as a midwife when required.

Governance & Documentation

• Maintain accurate and thorough documentation following established standards.
• Participate in staff meetings and unit committees and projects as directed.

Qualifications & Experience

Educational Requirements

One of the following

• Bachelor's Degree in Midwifery or equivalent qualification in Midwifery (minimum three years course duration), or
• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing or equivalent (minimum three years course duration) and Midwifery Certificate (minimum one year course duration), or
• Associate's Degree in Nursing from Canada or USA (minimum two years course duration) and successful completion of the National exam and Midwifery Certificate (minimum one year course duration).

UAE nationals who are graduates of UAE or non-UAE universities are exempted from the experience and clinical training requirements for the applied title. UAE nationals must submit a copy of their birth certificate and the mother's family book.

Non-UAE national graduates from UAE universities are required to successfully complete six months of clinical training post-graduation in an American Protective Services (APS) health facility, except for Registered and Assistant Nurse titles.

Professional Experience

• Minimum of three years of recent post-graduate experience as a Midwife in the Maternal Newborn Unit with two years of experience in clinical teaching.
• Knowledge of and ability to render care and services based on age, appropriateness and developmental needs of mother and baby as an individual unit with special regard for feeding.
• Skills in the assessment of patient and family's physical and psychological needs.
• Skills in coordination and planning of care and prioritizing care based on individual needs.
• Skills in problem-solving and critical thinking ensuring effective functioning of unit routine.

Licensure & Certification

• Must hold a valid License or Registration to practice in their home country and/or country of last employment (where applicable).
• Must hold a minimum of a valid Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification or others according to the scope of practice.
• Certified Lactation Consultant.