Pathway 1 IBCLC candidates must practise as a Recognised Health Professional or provide breastfeeding support through a Recognised Breastfeeding Support Counsellor Organisation. In the case of applicants who provide breastfeeding support through a Recognised Breastfeeding Support Counsellor Organisation, they must have completed the 14 subjects set forth in the Health Sciences Education Guide. Additionally, all Pathway 1 candidates must have the following:
- Minimum of 95 hours of lactation specific education, including five hours focused on communication skills, within the five years immediately prior to examination application.
- Preferably the five hours of education focused on communication skills will be directly related to lactation and breastfeeding care, but this is not a requirement.
- Minimum of 1000 hours of lactation specific clinical practice in an appropriate supervised setting within the five years immediately prior to examination application.
- Clinical practice is to be obtained in an appropriate supervised setting, to include the following:
o Hospital
o Birth Centre
o Community Clinic
o Lactation Care Clinic/Practice
o Primary Care Practitioner’s Practice/Office. - Clinical practice hours can be earned through independent practice as a licensed/registered healthcare professional in non-healthcare settings.
- For breastfeeding support counsellors from a Recognised Breastfeeding Support Counsellor Organisation, clinical hours must be earned in a delivery setting which meets the following criteria:
o Provide structured training programmes for their counsellors which include comprehensive education in breastfeeding and lactation management
o Have a Code of Ethics or Professional Conduct
o Provide structured supervision for counsellors, with an appropriate level of training
o Provide a continuing education programme for counsellors - Please note: Candidates associated with a Recognised Breastfeeding Support Counsellor Organisation are to earn clinical hours on an hour-per-hour basis. Please reference the Recognised Breastfeeding Support Counsellor Organisation list on the website for detailed implementation information.
- Whether a Recognised Health Professional or a breastfeeding support counsellor from a Recognised Support Counsellor Organisation, the 1000 hours do not need to be directly supervised.
- Clinical practice is to be obtained in an appropriate supervised setting, to include the following:
- Adherence to, with attestation, the Code of Professional Conduct for IBCLCs.