How to become a Lactation Consultant
A lactation consultant is a great career for anyone who loves to help new mothers and their infants or toddlers whether he or she is a registered nurse, dietitian, La Leche League Leader, or anyone else with a passion for helping others.Lactation Education Consultantsexplains that an international exam for lactation consultant certification was developed in the mid 1980’s by theInternational Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE).
There are three different pathways that a personal looking to become a lactation consultant may go through to qualify to take their exam. The IBLCE website has a questionnaire that they call the“IBLCE Pathways Wizard”that will help a candidate to determine which pathway is the right choice for him or her. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that some of the requirements will change starting in 2012.
Pathway 1
This pathway is the best option for those who have worked in either a volunteer job or a paid position that helped families with breastfeeding. To qualify for the 2011 exam, a candidate must complete 45 hours of lactation specific education and have performed 1,000 hours in clinical practice of lactation care. This will change for the 2012 exam and potential lactation consultants will then need to have completed 14 subjects of general education in addition to 90 hours of lactation specific education and 1,000 hours of clinical practice in lactation care.
Pathway 2
The second pathway is most suited for those who have a degree in human lactation and breastfeeding from an accredited academic program at a university or college. The exam eligibility requirements must be completely met by the curriculum to qualify. Candidates using this pathway must present a copy of their transcript, diploma, or certificate of completion in order to successfully apply for the exam.
Pathway 3
To qualify for the exam through the third pathway a candidate must file an approved plan with the IBLCE that details how all of the requirements will be met. These requirements include completion of 14 subjects of general education, 90 hours of lactation specific education, and 500 directly supervised hours of clinical practice of lactation care. The IBLCE provides an onlineguidefor how to meet the requirements.
General education
When the IBLCE requires 14 subjects of general education, they are requiring six continuing education topics and eight higher education subjects. Higher education is defined as education completed after high school graduation at an institution that provides professional credentials or academic degrees.
Each of the higher education subjects must have been completed with a passing grade during a full academic term. The 8 higher education subjects include human physiology, biology, nutrition, infant and child growth and development, human anatomy, introduction to research, and one of the following: sociology, cultural sensitivity, or cultural anthropology. In addition, candidates must complete a course in psychology, communication skills, or counseling.
The six continuing education courses must be completed in medical documentation, professional ethics for health professionals, basic life support, medical terminology, universal safety precautions and infection control, and occupational safety and security for health professionals. Proof of completion of these 14 courses in the form of a transcript must accompany the application for the exam.
Lactation specific education
The lactation specific education must have been completed within five years of applying for the exam. This education may be completed via online education, in-person lectures, distance learning, etc. To ensure that established standards and criteria are met and all topics found on the IBLCE exam are covered, it is strongly encouraged that the education is approved by the Accreditation and Approval Review Committee (AARC) or Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs). Education approved by AARC is best, though, as CERPs are intended for lactation consultants who are recertifying. CERP approved education is offered by the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) which may be joined by prospective lactation consultants. As with general education, proof of completion of lactation specific education must be provided.
Clinical Practice in Lactation Care
A candidate must have completed clinical practice in lactation care within five years of applying for the exam and does not include shadowing or observing another individual. Ideally, providing this help to breastfeeding families will be in person as opposed to email or phone assistance and will cover families with children ranging from newborns to toddlers. The knowledge and clinical skills that a lactation consultant must possess are outlined in theClinical Competencies for the Practice of IBCLCs.
Any support provided to friends or family members without appropriate supervision cannot be counted as hours towards this goal. These hours may be documented during volunteer or paid work that includes appropriate supervision by an experienced IBCLC at a medical practice, hospital, public health department, birthing center, clinic, etc. Those who volunteer as an accredited mother support group leader will obtain credit for 500 clinical practice hours every year that they are an active leader.
There are three phases involved in mastering the necessary skills. The first phase involves observation and does not count towards the hours required for clinical practice. The second phase involves helping breastfeeding families with direct supervision. The last phase involves independent practice with help from an IBCLC available on-site.
Applying and taking the exam
There are usually several application deadlines during the year to apply for the exam which is given only once a year on the last Monday in July. This multiple choice exam may be taken at any location offered around the world. Some employers will pay for the cost of the exam and there are some scholarships available. There are no practice exams, but sample questions may be found online. Once the exam is passed, a certified lactation consultant may choose to work at a hospital, birthing center, or may even open a private practice.
