Greetings!  I hope this finds all of you well and enjoying the holiday
season.  In response to Ellen's question re: hospital LC's:  I work in a
community hospital that does 1500+ deliveries/year.  I am the only FT IBCLC
on staff.  My associate (also an IBCLC) works 0.5 FTE and is currently
employed through a grant we applied for.  I am counting on her being added
to the budget for  the next fiscal year, because i don't think I could do
my job without her help.  Between the two of us, we see the inpatient Moms
(we make rounds daily and see Moms with problems prn), we see outpatients
and run a weekly support group.  Our outpatients come from all over the
city since our competing hospital doesn't offer LC services.  Their
midwives send patients to us for breastfeeding help on a regular basis.  In
addition, we help run a small Lactation Store that we opened this summer.
We get referrals from our Newborn Assessment Clinic on Tues/Fri, as
needed.  On a given day we might need to see a patient in Peds, ER, OP
surgery, at the Pediatricians' office or wherever we're needed.  Up till
now, we have not charged for any of our services.  One of us carries a
pager 7 days/week.  It's turned on from 0800-1700 daily, and one of us can
be called in on w/e and or holidays as needed.  We are "on the clock"
employees (not salaried) so we clock in as "called in" if we do get
called.  We have several RNs who have attended Breastfeeding Educator
courses, and all RN/LPN orientees get a good orientation to helping the
breastfeeding Mother.  How much help they are depends on their desire to be
of help.  Some are apathetic or antagonistic re: breastfeeding; others have
the passion!!  Thank heavens for the empassioned ones!  If my associate and
I are both gone for some reason, the nursing staff do their best.  I leave
a message on my phone mail so Moms who might call will have the number of
our LaLecheLeague Leaders, too.  We get by with 1.5 FTE, but I earnestly
believe we need at least another 0.5!  I can't imagine how you can begin to
do your job with 2 of you for all those births per year!!!!

Susan Reulbach Wirtjes RN IBCLC
in Waterloo, Iowa (where we're getting a taste of winter)


"What you permit, you promote"

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