Dixie Whetsell, MS, IBCLC

Why Become

an IBCLC?

Jan 2011 - US Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding says

IBCLCs increase breastfeeding rates

IBCLCs increase the provision of human milk in NICU

US needs almost 4X more IBCLCs

WIC programs need more IBCLCs

Look at the new Breastfeeding Initiatives

2010 - Joint Commission added new Perinatal Core Measures - Exclusive Breastmilk Feeding

2012 – Institute of Medicine’s Report - Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention – recommends health facilities and employers adopt policies and practices that support breastfeeding

2010 – Affordable Care Act

Affordable Care ActBreak Time for Nursing Mothers : requires employers to:

provide break time for expressing breast milk provide a private, non-bathroom place for mother to express breast

milk make these accommodations for one year after birth.

Women's Preventive Services Required Health Plan Coverage Guidelines: The Act requires health plans to: cover preventive services with no cost sharing, Includes breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling.

Community Transformation Grants : CDC is using funds to: increase the number of designated Baby-Friendly hospitals increase policies and practices to support breastfeeding in health

care, community, workplaces, and learning and childcare settings.

Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative - BFHIWHO and Unicef global

initiative started in 1991Designation for birth

facilities that offer best care for infant feeding and mother/baby

These birth facilities must follow the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and the WHO Code

Many US birth facilities are seeking BFHI designation

Photo: from the US Breastfeeding

Committee

WIC

NICU

Teaching

Hospital

Community Support

Educating

Home

Visits

International Board of Lactation Consultant

Examiners (IBLCE)Certification Requirements

All IBLCE exam applicants have to complete:Health Sciences EducationLactation EducationClinical Experiencethe IBLCE Exam

For more information, go to iblce.org

Health Sciences Education

All candidates must have health sciences education.

IBLCE recognizes that certain licensed/ registered health professionals have already obtained the required Health Sciences education. See the list on the next slide.

Candidates who are not recognized health professionals must complete required college-level education in eight subjects and six college-credit or continuing education subjects.

List of IBLCE Recognized Health Professionals

IBLCE states that past professional education meets the Health Sciences Education requirements

Must meet national definition for their health profession

Provide current license, registration, diploma, or transcript

PharmacistDentistDietitianPhysical Therapist/

PhysiotherapistMidwifePhysician/Medical

DoctorNurseOccupational TherapistSpeech

Pathologist/Therapist

IBLCE Health Sciences Education College credit

courses

One college credit course (equivalent to one academic term) with a passing grade in each of the eight subjects:

Biology Human anatomy Human physiology – same as above (Must take 2

separate courses if the course you take does not cover both Anatomy and Physiology)

Sociology or Cultural Sensitivity or Cultural Anthropology

Psychology or Counseling or Communication Skills Infant and Child Growth and Development Nutrition Introduction to research

IBLCE Health Sciences Education Continuing

EducationYou must complete one credit course or one

continuing education course in six subjects:

Basic life support (CPR) Medical documentation Medical terminologyOccupational safety, including security,

for health professionals Professional ethics for health

professionalsUniversal safety precautions and

infection control

IBLCE Continuing EducationHere are some online or self-study

courses that meet the IBLCE Continuing Education requirements:Lactation Education Resources

Breastfeeding Outlook

http://www.lactationtraining.com/our-courses/online-courses/preview/17-iblce-additional-general-education-package-complete

http://www.breastfeedingoutlook.com/cart/detail.php?Item=MD-HealthPkg

Education in Human Lactation and Breastfeeding

90 contact hrs of basic education in human lactation and breastfeeding completed within the five years prior to taking the IBLCE exam. Training must be:

>Lactation/breastfeeding specific>Entry level IBCLC appropriate>Within the scope of IBLCE Exam Blueprint>Based on current research/scientific

principles/evidence-based>Presented by professional, qualified person with relevant experience

Clinical Experience

Direct breastfeeding care for families

Breastfeeding education for familiesBreastfeeding support provided via

phone or emailThe number of required hrs is

different in each pathway

Clinical Experience SettingsIBLCE recommends that students obtain direct in-

person experience in three different clinical settings

In-patient

Out-patient

Community

Take and Pass the IBLCE Exam and

Recertify every 5 yearsCurrent cost for first exam=$660Every 5 yrs recertify by

Taking 75 CEUsOR

Taking the examEvery 10 yrs recertify by taking exam

Current recertification exam cost=$440

Certification Exam Stats

2013 - Exam given to 3,660 candidates (34% recertification) in 56 countries in 17 languages.

Includes 175 multiple choice questions 4-5 hrs 75 questions based on written scenarios 100 questions based on photographs

Graded on a curve with passing score usually between 65-70

2013 - 85% of candidates passed the examUS Cost = $660

Three IBLCE Certification Pathways

There are three ways to meet the certification requirements. Which pathway is right for you?

Pathway 1 – health professionals and breastfeeding counselors

Pathway 2 – those completing a lactation specific academic program

Pathway 3 – those obtaining their clinical practice hours under the supervision of mentor who is a recertified IBCLC

IBLCE Pathway 1

Health professionals and breastfeeding peer counselors who can obtain clinical experience in their work or volunteer setting use this pathway. They must have appropriate supervision as defined by IBLCE.

It requires 1,000 hrs of clinical experience. You are not required to have any IBCLC supervision

of your clinical experience in this pathway. You do have to document your hours, and provide

the name of a supervisor or manager who will act as a reference for you to confirm that you obtained the clinical experience.

Breastfeeding Support Counselor

To be recognized by IBLCE, the candidate must be associated with an organization that provides breastfeeding counseling and that requires its counselors to: Complete a structured training program that

includes comprehensive education in breastfeeding management

Work with on-site supervision or in an organization that meets IBLCE requirements for supervision

Adhere to defined ethical standards for conduct; and

Remain up to date by participating in continuing education

IBLCE Pathway 2

These are college credit programs that include the required lactation education and clinical experience.

Students are required to complete the Health Sciences Education requirements either before or concurrently.

These programs must provide students with the opportunity to obtain 300 hrs of clinical experience supervised by an IBCLC.

IBLCE Pathway 3

This is a pathway used by those who have a mentor who is a recertified (has been certified for 5 yrs or more) IBCLC who is willing to directly supervise their clinical experience.

It requires 500 hrs of clinical experience. When using this pathway, you must complete

a IBLCE Mentorship contract and have it approved by IBLCE before you can begin to accumulate any of your clinical experience.

Once you have met the requirements of your pathway, you are ready to take the IBLCE Exam.

When can I take the IBLCE Exam?

2015 – Exam will be given in July

2016 - Exam will be given in April and October

2017 and later the exam will be given twice each year in April and Oct

Where can I take the IBLCE Exam?

In the US you will take the exam by appointment at a computer-based testing center. There are many centers located in cities across the US.

For more information about the exam go to:

http://iblce.org/certify/faqs/#FAQ6

Oregon Washington Lactation AssociationOpen to all

breastfeeding advocates

Meets on the first Monday of Feb, April, June, and October

Offers lactation education and networking

Membership available

US Lactation Consultant Association

www.uslca.org

International Lactation Consultant

Associationwww.ilca.org

Youtube – 2014 ILCA Vision

and Mission

Resources for more informationInternational Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners

www.iblce.orgLactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee http://www.leaarc.org/

There are now over 27,000 IBCLCs in over 100

countries!Join us!