Hi all!

     I am responding to Attie Sandick's post about the volunteer in her
hospital.  As far as I know, I am the only private IBCLC in my city.  As a
result, I get a lot of calls for intern hours.  Although everyone who calls
me feels as though they are legitimate, many have no idea how many hours are
involved in the process.

     Attie, we must first keep apples and oranges separate.  ILCA and IBCLE
are two different bodies.  ILCA is our national organization, and IBCLE is
the credentialing organization.

      Does your volunteer have a college degree?  If not, it is going to take
quite a long time for her to get these hours.  Attempting to become a LLL
Leader could help since an active Leader receives 500 hours per year.
 However, LLL doesn't let just anyone become a Leader.  If she doesn't have a
baby yet, or she cannot agree with all of the 10 Philosophy Concepts, she
will not be considered for Leadership.

      When dealing with these IBCLC want-to-bes, I am very honest about what
is involved.  Often they have no idea what is required.  One woman called me,
and asked if she could practice as a Lactation Specialist, and record her own
hours for IBCLE!!!   I am also slightly concerned about the "legitimacy" of
the hours that are accepted by IBCLE.  We have a local person who is planning
to sit for the exam, and I cannot figure out how she possibly has enough
hours to qualify!!

     I strongly encourage women who have talent and should become IBCLCs, but
I also discourage those who appear to be in it for the ego and money
(<where's the money?  Enquiring minds want to know...).  And Attie, this
volunteer needs to be controlled.  Your professional liability is at stake.
 My guess is that given the opportunity to operate on her own, this volunteer
would introduce herself as a Lactation Consultant.  Create strict boundaries,
and if she can't follow them, see want can be done to remove her from the
volunteer list...  Debbie Albert, IBCLC