According to the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant's (IBCLC) website, here are the requirements for Pathway 1, which is the route I have decided to take, and apparently the path most others take as well. I chose this because I am able to complete courses from anywhere in order to meet the requirements and don't have to sign up at any one specific shool. For example, though I don't really care for online courses, I figure I can take the continuing ed courses online, then take CPR at the hospital for $15.00, and the college courses on campus. For me, pathway 2 seems too confining right now and pathway 3 -- just seems too complicated. So pathway 1 it is!
I have already taken some of these classes such as Biology and Cultural Anth, but since all must be completed within five years of the exam and it will be past that time for me, there goes that! *sigh* Good thing I love school! :O)
Continuing Education Courses:
- Basic Life Support
- Medical Domumentation
- Medical Terminology
- Occupational Saftety, including securtity for health professionals
- Professional Ethics for health professionals (code of ethics)
- Infection Control
Regular College Courses:
- Biology
- Cultural Anthropology (hope I'll be able to pass this one)
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Infant Growth & Child Development
- Nutrition
- Psychology or Counseling or Communication Skills
- Introduction to Research
I am also required to volunteer 1,000 hours in a hospital-like setting! This will be the challenging part -- that's a whole lotta hours!
I called around a bit and talked to a few places and really didn't get anywhere. La Leche League doesn't allow non-nursing mothers to volunteer and the WIC office in my area has no funding, so I'm looking for birthing centers and other midwife practices. Wish me luck!
I figure I will have all of this completed by the end of 2012 and take the certification exam in the summer of 2013!
Update: I just realized I also have to take 90 hours of lactation-specific education courses!! OK, now I can search for where I will take those as well! As long as I at least have all of the courses done before July of next year, I'll be good!! I can still volunteer after that, but must have courses completed.
