JobsAdvocate Health

Lactation Consultant Registered Nurse (RN)

Advocate Health · Chicago, IL

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 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.

Behavioral

Tell me about a time a physician or pediatrician disagreed with your lactation care plan for a patient. What did you do?

how the candidate handles being the clinical expert in the room while still respecting the referring provider relationship

Describe a lactation education session you built or delivered for other nurses or staff, not for patients.

experience actually developing and running the annual staff education program the job requires, not just patient-facing teaching

How have you contributed to writing or revising a policy, algorithm, or guideline in a previous role?

real experience with policy development versus just following existing protocols

Tell me about a time you served as the link between a hospital unit and an outside provider's office to coordinate a patient's care.

experience specifically with the liaison and communication function called out in the job description, not just bedside care

Technical

Walk me through how you'd assess a mother on day two postpartum who says breastfeeding is painful and the baby seems fussy after every feed.

whether the candidate can apply a structured nursing assessment process specifically to lactation problems, not just general troubleshooting

What's your process for staying current on lactation research, and can you give an example of a time you changed your practice because of new evidence?

genuine commitment to evidence-based practice versus reciting a generic answer about reading journals

Where are you in the process toward IBCLC certification, and what certification do you currently hold — CLC, CLS, CLE, or CBS?

straightforward verification against the hard licensure requirement and the two-year IBCLC timeline

Tell me about a case where a baby wasn't gaining weight adequately and breastfeeding alone wasn't working. How did you handle it with the family?

clinical judgment on when to escalate, supplement, or refer, and comfort delivering hard news

Situational

A mother tells you she's planning to supplement with formula against her care team's recommendation. How do you approach that conversation?

whether the candidate can balance evidence-based advocacy for breastfeeding with respecting patient autonomy and avoiding judgment

You're covering the unit alone and get a phone consult call from a discharged mother with a cracked, bleeding nipple, while also being paged to see a NICU baby with latch issues. How do you prioritize?

ability to triage competing demands independently in a fast-paced environment with limited backup

A mother from a cultural background where breastfeeding practices differ from typical hospital guidance pushes back on your recommendations. What do you do?

cultural sensitivity and ability to adapt care planning without abandoning clinical standards

This role runs 12-hour shifts on a rotating registry schedule with weekend requirements. What does your availability actually look like, and how have you managed unpredictable scheduling before?

realistic fit with the part-time, registry, weekend-inclusive schedule before it becomes a problem later

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 35015 Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center - Administration: Obstetrics/Gynecology and Peds Office Status: Part time Benefits Eligible: No Hou rs Per Week: 0 Schedule Details/Additional Information: Registry Position - 12 HR day shift from 7am-7pm. Minimum requirement five shifts every six weeks. Two of those shifts must be weekend shifts. Pay Range: $38.20 - $57.30 Major Responsibilities: • Lactation Management •     4)Provides a communication link between the hospital and health care provider’s office to assure coordination of patient care and maintains communication with health care providers concerning patients experiencing lactation and breastfeeding problems. •     5)Demonstrates appropriate assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation based on stages of life and developmental status. •     1)Serves as a consultant when difficulties with lactation are beyond the knowledge and/or training of the health care provider. •     2)Consults, develops and implements lactation plans of care. •     3)Serves as a liaison and/or facilitator between the community and hospital providing ongoing expertise, education and support to groups and individuals. • Education •     1)Provides education for mothers and family in correct lactation management. •     2)Educates patients, families and health care team members. •     3)Develops and implements ongoing lactation educational program annually on lactation for the healthcare team. • Process Improvement •     1)Participates in lactation program development and implementation. •     2)Works with the appropriate shared governance structure on issues relating to lactation. •     3)Participates in development of policies, procedures, algorithms and guidelines specific to lactation practice at site and system levels. •     4)Identifies, monitors and evaluates quality and safety issues related to practice. •     5)Maintains phone consultation system for lactation questions and problems. •     6)Represents the lactation department at unit/system/community meetings. • Assessment •     1)The RN Lactation Consultant is a registered professional nurse who provides holistic nursing care through the nursing process to individuals, groups, families, or communities, that includes but is not limited to: #2 - #6 •     2)Collecting comprehensive data through assessment that is pertinent to the condition of the mother and baby's health. •     3)Analyzing assessment data to create nursing diagnosis and determine the necessary interventions. •     4)Coordination of plan of care implementation with the health care team. •     5)Consultation to influence the identified plan to enhance the abilities of others and effect change. •     6)Evaluation of progress towards attainment of goals and health outcomes. • Evidence Based Practice •     1)Evaluates and integrates research findings into lactation practice. •     2)Maintains current knowledge of lactation research and reflects this knowledge in current lactation practice. •     3)Participates in lactation research projects. •     4)Pursues continuing education relevant to lactation consultant practice including reading current professional journals, participating in workshops, seminars, in-service programs, conferences, accredited courses, and professional organizations. Licensure: • Nurse, Registered (RN) Education/Experience Required: • Effective April 2, 2017, Bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN), required 3 years minimum experience in Maternal Child Nursing Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: • • Global perspective of changing health care environment. • Ability to prioritize work. • Basic computer skills. • Effective interpersonal communication skills. • Utilization of critical thinking in timely decision-making. • Able to collaborate as a member of the health care team. • Knowledge of lactation equipment and supplies. • Current RN license in Illinois Certified as International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), or must have one of the following: Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), Certified Lactation Specialist (CLS), Certified Lactation Educator (CLE) or Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS) and be certified as an IBCLC within 2 years of hire/transfer. Current BLS certification through the American Heart Association NRP certification as required by site Physicial Requirements and Working Conditions: • Flexible hours according to customer needs. Ability to demonstrate a commitment to patient-focused care. Ability to prioritize independently and respond to multiple simultaneous requests. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with established time constraints and in difficult situations. May be exposed to hazardous materials and life-threatening diseases. Ability to perform lifting/transfer activities related to patients (up to 30 lbs. may be required). This position needs to recognize needs and behaviors of specific age groups and cultures of patients treated. • If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. Our Commitment to You: Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including: Compensation • Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training • Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job • Incentive pay for select positions • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance Benefits and more • Paid Time Off programs • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs • Educational Assistance Program Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview. About Advocate Health  Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

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