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Date: | Sat, 4 Nov 2006 19:52:22 -0600 |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
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My state WIC agency already allows the local agency to use a "trained"
professional staff member (nutritionist or the breastfeeding promotion
coordinator) to serve if an IBCLC is not available to the local agency.
Many WIC agencies already "can't" find an IBCLC mostly because they
don't want to pay enough, or guarantee hours, it is contract labor
whenever they want the help or just for 8 hours of PC training once a
year. This is what I call "the token IBCLC". Unless the person is an RD
and IBCLC, she usually does not have a full time job or guaranteed
hours. The RD/IBCLC mostly does nutrition work. Trained means attending
the first two state BF trainings (which are good courses).
I also do not think the local agencies would pay for the PCs to take
this exam, nor pay to have an IBCLC work with the PC or RD for the 50
hours or whatever it was. The PCs I work with are low income, mostly
part time, and do not have $500 to take such an exam. The ones I work
with can not afford to go to CE conferences. Many are low educational
level and do not read or write well.
I do not believe that the second credential will funnel WIC employees
into this approach. They will most likely go for the higher hours, with
no supervision of an IBCLC because they can use the hours they counsel a
nursing mother, not necessarily the time they are learning hands on
skills. Especially if their agency is not willing to pay an IBCLC to
train the staff member for the 50 hours.
If the local agency is not willing to have an IBCLC on staff with
guaranteed hours right now, they are not going to pay an IBCLC to
supervise the staff member who wants to take this second credential.
As it stands now, the work supervisor of a candidate to take the current
exam does not have to be an IBCLC or anyone who knows anything about
breastfeeding. This is easier and cheaper than having an IBCLC supervise
and train someone for 50 hours. Right now, you can take and pass the
exam with book knowledge while the second credential will take more
actual supervision by an IBCLC and hopefully more hands on training. I
can't see this happening in the future as it isn't happening now.
Kathy Eng, BSW, IBCLC
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