IIn our hospital-based Lactation Support Services, we are looking at
experience requirements for new-hires and salary issues.  The three full-time
LC's have combined experience at this location of 31 years plus previously
acquired experience as part-timers, LLL, etc. The part-timer is the new man,
here only a year.  We find that it takes about one to two years full-time
before new employees are able to handle majority of in-hospital problems.
 The out-patient problems, especially difficult ones, take more experience.
 We are lucky to have multiple staff to draw on for the stumpers.  We see
about 1800 in-patients per year and about 350 outpatients, not counting
back-to-work moms, pump-rentals etc.  We get about 3-4000 calls per year on
our HelpLine.  We are currently paid on same basis as L&D nurses although we
function in an advanced practice role.  I am putting together a proposal to
address this issue.  Has anyone else out in Lactnet land addressed this?  I
would like to see how L.C.'s compare to nurses in other areas.

RE:  need for personal bg experience.  If you say that all L.C.'s should have
adequate personal experience, wouldn't that eliminate Dr. Newman? And how
about Michael  Woolrich and Dr. Sears.  Of course, we could say that you
don't need breasts or have breastfed if you have the appropriate letters
after your name!  But you also know anecdotally successful breastfeeders that
give bad advice.  Good counsellors are those who are willing to listen,
learn, empathize and take innovative appropaches to problems.  It means being
open to new knowledge and not throwing out the old practices that worked.
My .2 worth.
Jane Kershaw
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