In a message dated 6/5/2005 9:03:09 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

I've had  people say to me "how does your hospital dare to have a non-RN 
doing  hands-on clinical work with patients?"  I don't know why this would  
be a problem when (as others have pointed out to me) occupational  
therapists and physical therapists, for example, are not nurses  either


The only thing I can think of that would separate a non-RN  IBCLC and various 
other therapists would be a licensing governing agency that  dictates a 
"scope of practice"  An RN can perform hands on clinical work  because it is in 
his/her legal scope of practice.  An OT, and PT and ST  also provide hands on 
clinical work that is in their legal scope of  practice.  Many things an OT can 
do, an RN cannot and vice versa.  As  has been discussed in here previously, 
there really isn't any governing agency  that dictates that scope of practice 
for a non RN IBCLC.  In California for  example, my license (and my scope of 
practice) is dictated by the California  Board of Registered Nursing.  If I do 
something not in accordance with that  scope of practice, for example, 
intubating a patient, I lose my license and  can no longer practice.  I feel that this 
protects me and my patients from  care that is less than appropriate.  I am 
NOT saying that a non RN IBCLC is  any less qualified to assess and treat 
problems than an RN IBCLC is, there is  just a liability to the hospital or agency 
with the scope of practice.  I  know plenty of Non RN IBCLC's and they have 
helped me personally and  others.  A good friend and colleague on the local 
breastfeeding  coalition is an RD who will be sitting for the exam next month.  I 
am  learning plenty from her.  I believe that her scope of practice dictates  
how "hands on" she is allowed to be with her clients (through WIC).  I  think I 
would support IBCLC's having a governing body in each state, be it  through 
the Dept of Public Health or what not, that would state a legal scope of  
practice that would protect the professional, the agency that employs that  
professional, and the client.  
 
There I said it...now I am sure I am gonna hear it  lol.
 
Renee Drake RN CLC
 
 

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