For more than 55 years, Family Health Centers of San Diego’s (FHCSD) mission has been to provide caring, affordable, high-quality health care and supportive services to everyone, with a special commitment to uninsured, low-income and medically underserved persons.

FHCSD is one of the top 10 largest federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in the country. We operate more than 90 sites across San Diego County, including 29 primary care clinics, 23 behavioral health facilities, 10 physical rehabilitation clinics, nine dental clinics, five vision clinics, four outpatient substance use treatment programs, three mobile medical units, two mobile counseling centers, two urgent care centers, and a pharmacy.

Our staff provides care to over 227,000 patients each year, of whom 91% are low-income and 29% are uninsured. FHCSD provides care to all. Services include, but are not limited to adult care, chronic disease management, pediatrics, comprehensive women’s care including obstetrics, dental, vision, case management, physical rehabilitation, speech therapy for children, vaccinations, infectious diseases, behavioral health, substance use counseling and a host of specialty services including cardiology, podiatry, endocrinology, dermatology, among others.  FHCSD also offers supportive services to those who are unsheltered and in need of intensive case management.   

The breadth of our clinic locations, services and programs has grown over the last five decades, making us the largest community clinic provider of health care to the uninsured in the county and one of the top 10 largest community clinic organizations in the nation. We are also the largest health care safety-net provider, largest school-based health care provider and the largest mental health provider in the San Diego region.

Job Summary

The Lactation Consultant plays a vital role in supporting breastfeeding mothers and their infants. This position involves providing expert guidance on breastfeeding practices, addressing challenges, and promoting maternal and infant health through education and support. The Lactation Consultant will work collaboratively with healthcare providers, families, and community resources to ensure optimal breastfeeding outcomes.

Job Description

Job Roles

• Assess and evaluate breastfeeding challenges faced by mothers and infants.
• Develop individualized care plans based on assessment findings.
• Provide education and support to mothers regarding breastfeeding techniques, positioning, and nutrition.
• Conduct follow-up consultations to monitor progress and adjust care plans as necessary.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care for mothers and infants.
• Maintain accurate documentation of consultations, assessments, and progress notes.
• Stay current with research and best practices in lactation consulting.
• Facilitate workshops or group sessions on breastfeeding education for new parents.

Education/Certifications/Licenses/Registrations

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing, Nutrition, or a related field highly preferred.
• Certification as an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is required.
• 1 year experience in maternal and child health, particularly in breastfeeding support, is preferred.
• Ability and means to travel as needed in a timely manner within San Diego County.

Experience/Specialized skills (including Language)

• Strong knowledge of physiology and anatomy related to lactation.
• Proficient in medical terminology relevant to maternal and infant health.
• Experience in case management to coordinate care effectively.
• Ability to analyze data related to breastfeeding outcomes and trends.
• Excellent public speaking skills for conducting educational sessions.
• Understanding of public health principles as they relate to breastfeeding promotion.
• Experience in pediatrics to address the needs of infants effectively.
• Bilingual skills are a plus, enhancing communication with diverse populations.
• Ability to work effectively with patients from diverse social, cultural and economic groups.
• Ability to work well in both a team-based environment and independently.
• Basic computer literacy ability to comply with department needs and expectations (i.e., electronic medical record documentation, obtaining background information and reports on patients, following up on appts, etc.).
• Bilingual in Spanish/English required.
• Demonstrated ability to be culturally sensitive and respect diversity.

We are excited to share that the salary range for this position is:

Information on our extensive benefits package can be found here: FHCSD Wellness – Employee Hub (gobenefits.net)

FHCSD provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.