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Lactation Consultant IBCLC Weekend Casual

Northwestern Medicine · Lake Forest, IL · Part time · Health Care Provider

Posted Oct 5, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time a nurse or physician disagreed with your recommendation. What happened?

What they are checking: Whether they can collaborate and hold an evidence-based position respectfully on a multidisciplinary team.

Tell me about a family you helped that you still think about. What did you learn?

What they are checking: Whether they reflect on practice and connect with families, signs of a consultant who keeps growing.

What would you do

A baby has lost more weight than expected and the mother is set on exclusive breastfeeding. How do you approach it?

What they are checking: Whether they can protect the baby's safety while supporting the mother's goals and keeping the pediatrician involved.

This is a weekend casual role. How do you make sure the weekday team knows what you did and what still needs follow-up?

What they are checking: Whether they document and hand off clearly so families get consistent care across shifts.

How do you adjust your teaching for families from different cultures or with different beliefs about feeding?

What they are checking: Whether they respect cultural differences, which the posting notes, instead of using one script for everyone.

A mother tells you she wants to stop breastfeeding and feels guilty about it. What do you say?

What they are checking: Whether they support the mother's informed choice without judgment, which builds trust.

About the work

Walk me through a full breastfeeding assessment for a new mother and baby on the postpartum unit.

What they are checking: Whether their assessment covers mother, baby and the feeding itself, following the IBCLC clinical competencies the posting names.

How do you assess for a poor latch, and what do you try first?

What they are checking: Whether they have practical hands-on skills, not just theory, for the most common problem they will see.

What's your approach to supporting mothers of babies in the NICU or late preterm babies?

What they are checking: Whether they know pumping, milk supply and feeding plans for babies who can't feed well at the breast yet.

How do you decide when a medication a mother takes is a concern for breastfeeding?

What they are checking: Whether they use reliable references and loop in the prescriber rather than guessing.

What do you include in your consultation notes so they're complete, accurate and useful to the next caregiver?

What they are checking: Whether their documentation is timely and clinically useful, which the posting lists as a core part of the role.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

The Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. The Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) assumes responsibility for the lactation support provided to breastfeeding patients and their families. The role of the IBCLC includes assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation of breastfeeding and human lactation support in a variety of situations, such as anticipatory guidance and prevention of problems, complete, accurate, and timely documentation of consultation, communication, and collaboration with other health care professionals. Description • Demonstrates proficiency in the Clinical Competencies for the Practice of an IBCLC. • Functions as a member of the multidisciplinary health care team and consult with physicians, and other appropriate individuals as necessary in order to serve as a direct resource to breastfeeding mothers and babies. • Functions as a Lactation Consultant in area of expertise, collaborating with the mother, the primary nurse, physician and related members of the health team in the management of lactation and breastfeeding • Integrates knowledge, evidence-based practice and assessment skills that incorporate specific age and culture related care. • Assists the primary nurse to formulate a nursing care plan for establishment of lactation and breastfeeding. • Collaborates with all members of the health care team incorporating evidence based practices to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate lactation and breastfeeding problems and to suggest treatment approaches and outcomes. • Develops, evaluates and revises policies and procedures related to lactation and breastfeeding. • Monitors and evaluates hospital practices for lactation and breastfeeding. • Participates in Quality Improvement for regulatory compliance, patient satisfaction, lactation and breastfeeding. • Collaborates with OB/Ped Leadership in the development of programs. • Designs and implements educational programs to families, and the community about breastfeeding and human lactation through teaching prenatal breastfeeding classes and post-natal support groups. • Re-evaluates needs with leadership for program development and growth. • Assists health care team in maintaining their current knowledge base and competency with breastfeeding through the development of educational programs • Develops and maintains discharge support resources. • Provides documented evidence in the medical record of patient/family teaching and their responses and understanding of the teaching. Ensures that patient education and instructions are consistent with that of the physician or designee • Follows up with lactating moms who seek a consultation • Working Conditions: Working conditions may involve exposure to infectious disease, blood, body fluids and/or tissue as well as other unpleasant elements such as accidents, injuries and illness. May be exposed to and be required to handle varying unpredictable, emergency and crisis situations. Occasionally subjected to irregular hours and pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries. • Perform other duties as assigned Required : • International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with previous clinical experience in providing lactation education and breast-feeding care. • Current BLS certification for Healthcare Providers • Effective interpersonal skills • Excellent oral and written communication skills • Advanced computer and charting skills Preferred : Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information NorthwesternMedicine Career Page https://jobs.nm.org/benefits Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception : New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.

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