Thanks ou so much for posting the LC Job Descriptions.  I'm sure many of us
are printing them out.  However, I would like to take exception to one
qualification in the job description:
"Graduate of accredited school of nursing or baccalaureate degree in the
health field."  Why would the candidate need to be a nurse?  "Experience in a
hospital setting; maternity preferred" is another requirement that would give
preference to nurses.
I know there has been a lot of discussion over the years about whether a
nursing degree should be a requirement for LCs.  I have been in LLL for
twelve years and a leader for ten.  I have not yet taken the IBLCE exam (a
long story...) but I certainly have no doubts that I could pass it.  As I
read through the other qualifications I found that I met each one.  Please
remember that a lot of us come into lactation through mother to mother
support, not as hospital nurses.  LLL leaders were instrumental in founding
the IBCLE and were many of the first people to become IBCLC.  Many long time
LLL leaders go on to sit for the exam and become LCs.  There is no reason for
us to be shut out of hospital LC positions because we don't have a nursing
degree.  Hospital LCs are acting as lactation consultants, not maternity
nurses.  For our field to be valued the two should be kept distinct.  The
neonatologist doesn't check episiotomies or empty bedpans and neither should
LCs.
Cynthia D. Payne
LLL of Berkshire County Mass