Re: New IBLCE requirements

[Guest guest]

I agree Dee....I've always been told this credential was "entry level" the requirements really fit someone with more of an advanced degree.  LLLI was instrumental in the start of the IBCLC credential and now it seems they've possibly excluded the volunteer counselor from advancing without substantial financial investment.  I'd have not been able to do it and I KNOW I've brought a LOT of skill and heart to my work that a lot of people would have missed benefitingfrom...not to mention that many (NOT ALL!) that don't come from the LLL type counseling experience are not as skilled at empathy and compassion and that too would be sad to lose., many people feel the new requirements are going to pretty much eliminate most folks with a background from volunteer organizations (such as La Leche League, Nursing Mothers Council, and even WIC Peer Counselors) from ever being able to become IBCLCs.  If you don't already have an RN diploma or a Bachelors degree in some biological science area, then it's going to be tough to find the time and money to meet these new requirements.  And a lot of us who come from a volunteer background, myself included, really are good IBCLCs without having all that education. Dee Kassing--- On Sun, 5/16/10, popikins <YabbaDabbaDoula1aol> wrote:From: popikins <YabbaDabbaDoula1aol>Subject: Re: New IBLCE requirementsTo: Date: Sunday, May 16, 2010, 10:03 AM I don't know if you read all the way down but it will now be a requirement for every applicant that they demonstrate semester long coursework in 8 discipline areas starting with 2012 exam applicants:•Human Anatomy •Human Physiology •Biology•Infant and Child Growth and Development•Nutrition •Sociology or Cultural Sensitivity or Cultural Anthropology•Introduction to Research•Psychology or Counselling or Communications Skillsand documented education in the following areas:•Basic life support (e.g. CPR)•Medical terminology•Medical documentation•Universal safety precautions and infection control•Occupational safety, including security•Professional/legal ethics (e.g. Code of Ethics)I thought that was an improvement over the existing requirements.> > > Subject: Re: New IBLCE requirements> To:  > Date: Saturday, May 15, 2010, 7:41 PM> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >  > > > > > > > > > > http://americas.iblce.org/announcing-future-requirements> > > > >

[Guest guest]

There is undoubtedly something very special about that LLL background.  IleneDee, I understand your point, completely, even though I think those requirements are important.  It's like I felt when I was a master teacher training grad. students.  I had some amazing student teachers who just "got it" and would have been great teachers even if they hadn't taken the necessary coursework.  there were others that were brilliant in their coursework, who would never, ever be good teachers.  Much of what we do is by "feel" and intuition.  How can we train that?  I don't think anyone really can.  I come from an LLL background, too.  Nothing compares to that experience--even though I do have quite a bit of formal education. (tho not in nursing)   I don't know what the answer is... Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC Lactation Consultant/Postpartum Doula  www.second9months.comBreastfeeding Between the Lines:  http://second9months.wordpress.com/--- On Sun, 5/16/10, Dee Kassing <deekassingsbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote:From: Dee Kassing <deekassingsbcglobal (DOT) net>Subject: Re: Re: New IBLCE requirementsTo: Date: Sunday, May 16, 2010, 6:51 PM , many people feel the new requirements are going to pretty much eliminate most folks with a background from volunteer organizations (such as La Leche League, Nursing Mothers Council, and even WIC Peer Counselors) from ever being able to become IBCLCs.  If you don't already have an RN diploma or a Bachelors degree in some biological science area, then it's going to be tough to find the time and money to meet these new requirements.  And a lot of us who come from a volunteer background, myself included, really are good IBCLCs without having all that education. Dee Kassing--- On Sun, 5/16/10, popikins <YabbaDabbaDoula1@ aol.com> wrote:From: popikins <YabbaDabbaDoula1@ aol.com>Subject: Re: New IBLCE requirementsTo: @yahoogroup s.comDate: Sunday, May 16, 2010, 10:03 AM I don't know if you read all the way down but it will now be a requirement for every applicant that they demonstrate semester long coursework in 8 discipline areas starting with 2012 exam applicants:•Human Anatomy •Human Physiology •Biology•Infant and Child Growth and Development•Nutrition •Sociology or Cultural Sensitivity or Cultural Anthropology•Introduction to Research•Psychology or Counselling or Communications Skillsand documented education in the following areas:•Basic life support (e.g. CPR)•Medical terminology•Medical documentation•Universal safety precautions and infection control•Occupational safety, including security•Professional/ legal ethics (e.g. Code of Ethics)I thought that was an improvement over the existing requirements.> > From: popikins <YabbaDabbaDoula1@ ...>> Subject: Re: New IBLCE requirements> To: @yahoogroup s.com> Date: Saturday, May 15, 2010, 7:41 PM> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >  > > > > > > > > > > http://americas. iblce.org/ announcing- future-requireme nts> > > > >

[Guest guest]

I just respectfully disagree. What other professional discipline functions like

this?

And I would say picking up a text book and reading yourself and attending

conferences are not adequate. Conference attendance is the most passive level of

learning, just listening, I think we've collectively kind of discussed this,

I've seen people sleeping through conferences.

You could miss every exam question related to one, two, or more specific

chronological areas or disciplines on the exam and still pass.

I would never dismiss the value of skills and abilities LLL and peer counselors

possess. Since they are so vital to the fundamental skill set of an IBCLC I

don't see the solution as diluting the other skills that are necessary by simply

dismissing them. I think the most effective approach would be advocacy for

assuring the skills that make LLL and peer counselors effective are equally

reflected in the minimum education requirements. Those skills can be taught and

required for all exam applicants the same way they are already being taught to

LLL and peer counselors.

I am a registered counselor. I have taken a considerable amount of coursework

related to effective counseling, the classwork was highly beneficial to me. I

could not imagine being nearly as effective an IBCLC without it. Nor would I be

nearly as effective an IBCLC without a solid understanding of the other

disciplines that are incorporated into our work. There are at least a half dozen

if not more other classes I would love to see required, and would consider

necessary in order to declare certified consultants as competent in the entry

level competencies.

The USLCA is seeking to increase the credibility of our profession by attempting

to assure that IBCLC's are regarded as members of the healthcare team and to

enable IBCLC's to seek direct reimbursement from insurance companies. Part of

this process will involve intense scrutiny of the related education of the IBCLC

and the skills and abilities we possess. I could not imagine trying to explain

how it is certified consultants obtain the required education that results in

the knowledge, theory, values, attitudes, skills, and abilities, without

verifying the means. Without requiring applicants obtain it, and preseningt

evidence of obtaining the education, the education becomes random, from

applicant to applicant as well as 'optional'.

" I don't think you can have the outcomes that are listed as

entry level IBCLC competencies without likewise requiring demonstration of the

applicant retaining the associated education. As it sits right now the IBLCE

lists entry level competencies and skills that it does not require the applicant

to provide evidence of obtaining any education related to in terms of the skill

or competency. "

>  

>     If the board exam is supposed to test for those competencies, then if you

pass the test that should be sufficient to show that you have learned what you

need for entry level IBCLC qualification.  It shouldn't matter how you learned

them.  If you could pick up a textbook and teach yourself, or if you went to

numerous conferences to gain the knowledge, what should that matter if you show

you can pass the test?

>    Dee Kassing

>