Lactation Educator-Counselor
(On-Site Program)

Description:

This university based program trains participants to be Lactation Educator-Counselors. Lactation Educator-Counselors are typically entry level practitioners and deal primarily with the normal process of lactation.

Lactation Educator-Counselors teach breastfeeding classes, usually in hospitals and clinics. Lactation Educator-Counselors may work with pregnant women and their families in community perinatal health programs such WIC.

Nurses who work with mothers, babies, and families often extend their skills by becoming Lactation Educator-Counselors.

On-site programs:

The Lactation Specialist and Lactation Educator-Counselor On-site Programs offered by UCSD Extension can come to your location.

These programs are tailored to the audience or area that makes the request and joint ventures with UCSD Extension. The requirements of the hosting facility or organization are simply to provide meeting space, audio-visual support, assistance with clinical placement for student observations of a lactation consultant or lactation specialist, and assist with marketing the Lactation Educator-Counselor program.

The Lactation Specialist and Lactation Educator-Counselor On-site programs are designed to meet the educational needs of the specific audience. The class time is 3 full days, in a row, for one month and 2 full days 4-6 weeks later. This allows the student to complete the clinical observations and homework requirements of the program. This format also increases retention of the educational materials and a format where students can review clinical application of skills and information with the course instructors. Additionally the format makes it easier to schedule those who are employed as they only need to schedule 2-3 days off at a time.

What about certification?

Upon successful completion of the program the student is a "certificated" Lactation Educator-Counselor. UCSD does not "certify" lactation educator counselors. UCSD supports the IBLCE as the "certifying" body for lactation consultants. The credential the student uses is "Certificated Lactation Educator Counselor". Lactation Educator, Lactation Educator Counselor, and Lactation Counselor all imply a minimum 40 hours of course work in lactation and for the sake of this program are considered the same credential.

Employment or job opportunities and pay scale:

Lactation Educator-Counselors typically teach breastfeeding classes that can vary from 2-3 hours to 4 hours in length with additional payment for 30 to 60 minutes of preparation time. They are paid an hourly rate that ranges from $15-$35 per hour in the San Diego area.

Lactation Educator-Counselors are frequently hired by WIC, the federally funded Women, Infant, and Children program.

Lactation Educator-Counselors may be employed in hospitals and work in hospital breastfeeding centers and boutiques. In this role they may facilitate breastfeeding support groups, triage phone calls and warm lines, and manage breastfeeding stores that rent breast pumps and sell breastfeeding clothing and products. They sometimes are the triage agent for all patients who have delivered their babies within a facility.

Lactation Educator-Counselors can function as private practitioners and/or maintain a private practice that augments Doula work. Often times Lactation Educator-Counselors have a home based breast pump rental business. In this role the Lactation Educator-Counselor would set their own fees.

All graduating UCSD Extension students who have sought employment as Lactation Educator-Counselors have secured employment. It is important for the perspective student to know that Lactation Educator-Counselors generally teach or are employed part time.

Course requirements:

Class attendance is mandatory. Assignments include but may not be limited to:

• Breastfeeding Class Curriculum includes topical outline; minimum 12 lesson plans, and 2 content teaching outlines.
• Observation and report of community based breastfeeding class
• Internet resource assignment
• Review of 4 research studies
• Periodic testing
• Counseling problems
• Nutrition assignment
• Clinical observation outside of didactic class time. Arranged by UCSD and student.
  Additional paperwork for clinical placement

Time requirements:

• Class didactic: 40 hours
• Clinical observation: 8 hours or 8 patients
• Additional homework: Estimated 10-40 hours

Additional paperwork for clinical placement

Textbooks:

Click here for listing of textbooks.

Costs:

Enrollment fee: $595
How payable? By Credit Card or Check.
Student loans and financing: Available through Wells Fargo Bank.
Call registration at (858) 534-3400 for more information.

Credits and CEU's:

Extension credits: 4 Units RMED 40006
BRN continuing education credits: 40 Hrs BRN number: 00058
Social Workers: 36     Dieticians: 36

Registration

Click here to go to UCSD Web site for registration.
Call (858) 534-3400 or visit UCSD Extension.

Class dates, times and location:

To be announced, call UCSD Extension at 858-964-1010.

Program Coordinator/Faculty:

Gini Baker, RN, MPH, FACCE, IBCLC
Program Coordinator and Primary Teaching Faculty UCSD Perinatal Programs
UCSD College of Extended Studies
Lactation Consultant in the Sharp Health Care System

Possible guest faculty
Rose deVigne-Jackiewicz, RN, MPH, IBCLC
Guest Faculty
Lactation Coordinator, Outpatient Lactation Office, Kaiser Permanente, San Diego, CA

Corrie Anaka, RNC, FACCE, IBCLC
Lactation Department and Program Coordinator
UCSD Medical Center, San Diego, CA

Donna Erlewine, RN, MSN, IBCLC
Lactation Consultant
Loma Linda Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA