Can I Count It? Accruing Clinical Hours for Healthcare Providers
If you're a physician who is considering becoming an IBCLC, you probably have one big question.
How does the work I have already done (or that I do right now) count toward the clinical hours I need?
We've got the answer.
Read on for the big picture and fine print on obtaining your clinical hours.
Q: First things first--how many clinical hours do I actually need?
A: That deppends on which Pathway you choose.
There are 3 pathways to sitting for the IBCLC exam.
Most physicians use Pathway 1 or Pathway 3.
Pathway 1 requires 1,000 clinical hours.
Pathway 3 requires 500 clinical hours.
Q: Do my clinical hours have to be supervised?
A: If you choose Pathway 1, no.
If you choose Pathway 3, yes.
For Pathway 1, you count the hours you spend providing lactation care in an approved work or volunteer setting. These hours do not need to be supervised, but they must be documented.
Pathway 3 is a mentorship model. You will need to find an IBCLC in good standing to agree to supervise your clinical hours, and the mentor must be approved by IBLCE before you begin.
Q: What kinds of clinical work counts under Pathway 1?
A: Any time you are interacting with lactation can potentially count.
Inpatient and outpatient interactions, labor and delivery unit, well and sick baby visits, routine and complicated obstetric or gyn visits, any lactation management visits, prenatal breastfeeding education and counseling visits - if you are counseling or treating someone related to lactation, it counts.
Q: Finding a mentor sounds potentially challenging. What are the advantages of Pathway 3?
A: Candidates who use Pathway 3 tend to score better on the IBCLC exam. Mentorship is the key component.
Done in a busy hospital or clinic setting, where you can work with many breast/chestfeeding people each day, this pathway can provide a rich preparation for future practice.
How should I document my hours?
A: Regardless of your Pathway, document your hours as you accrue them. Be as detailed as possible while following privacy rules in your region.
It's wise to start a spreadsheet or other document where you keep track of how long you spent and exactly what you did, in case you are audited prior to the exam.
Q: I had some experiences several years ago that qualify as clinical hours. Does that count?
A: All clinical hours must be earned during the five years immediately preceding the date that you apply to take the exam.
Q: I work in a setting where I discuss lactation with patients, but not all of those patients are currently breastfeeding (for example, a breast surgery clinic where patients are counseled about potential future impacts on lactation related to breast surgery). Do these hours count?
A: Time spent counseling patients on elements of their treatment or surgery that could impact lactation in the future would count. Time spent treating or counseling them about other aspects of their treatment or surgery would not count.
Q: Can I earn clinical hours when I provide care via telehealth? Can I work with a mentor via telehealth?
A: Yes, IBCLE has instituted special provisions for this during the pandemic.
However, you must be sure you adhere to their guidelines, published in this interim guidance document.
(For real-time guidance on this an all IBCLE's exam application requirements, it's best to check with them directly, since the details are subject to change over time. Search the IBLCE web here.)
The Bottom Line
Remember that clinical hours have one purpose. They are designed to make sure you are comfortable and confident when you help lactating families as an IBCLC! And that is a goal worth pursuing.
Lactation-Specific Education
Looking for a way to fulfill the lactation-specific education requirement? LER has a course option that fits your situation.
Our live event Real Talk: The Realities of being and Becoming an IBCLC for Physicians explored these issues and many more.
If you're a physician who is considering becoming an IBCLC, you probably have one big question.
How does the work I have already done (or that I do right now) count toward the clinical hours I need?
We've got the answer.
Read on for the big picture and fine print on obtaining your clinical hours.
Q: First things first--how many clinical hours do I actually need?
A: That deppends on which Pathway you choose.
There are 3 pathways to sitting for the IBCLC exam.
Most physicians use Pathway 1 or Pathway 3.
Pathway 1 requires 1,000 clinical hours.
Pathway 3 requires 500 clinical hours.
Q: Do my clinical hours have to be supervised?
A: If you choose Pathway 1, no.
If you choose Pathway 3, yes.
For Pathway 1, you count the hours you spend providing lactation care in an approved work or volunteer setting. These hours do not need to be supervised, but they must be documented.
Pathway 3 is a mentorship model. You will need to find an IBCLC in good standing to agree to supervise your clinical hours, and the mentor must be approved by IBLCE before you begin.
Q: What kinds of clinical work counts under Pathway 1?
A: Any time you are interacting with lactation can potentially count.
Inpatient and outpatient interactions, labor and delivery unit, well and sick baby visits, routine and complicated obstetric or gyn visits, any lactation management visits, prenatal breastfeeding education and counseling visits - if you are counseling or treating someone related to lactation, it counts.
Q: Finding a mentor sounds potentially challenging. What are the advantages of Pathway 3?
A: Candidates who use Pathway 3 tend to score better on the IBCLC exam. Mentorship is the key component.
Done in a busy hospital or clinic setting, where you can work with many breast/chestfeeding people each day, this pathway can provide a rich preparation for future practice.
How should I document my hours?
A: Regardless of your Pathway, document your hours as you accrue them. Be as detailed as possible while following privacy rules in your region.
It's wise to start a spreadsheet or other document where you keep track of how long you spent and exactly what you did, in case you are audited prior to the exam.
Q: I had some experiences several years ago that qualify as clinical hours. Does that count?
A: All clinical hours must be earned during the five years immediately preceding the date that you apply to take the exam.
Q: I work in a setting where I discuss lactation with patients, but not all of those patients are currently breastfeeding (for example, a breast surgery clinic where patients are counseled about potential future impacts on lactation related to breast surgery). Do these hours count?
A: Time spent counseling patients on elements of their treatment or surgery that could impact lactation in the future would count. Time spent treating or counseling them about other aspects of their treatment or surgery would not count.
Q: Can I earn clinical hours when I provide care via telehealth? Can I work with a mentor via telehealth?
A: Yes, IBCLE has instituted special provisions for this during the pandemic.
However, you must be sure you adhere to their guidelines, published in this interim guidance document.
(For real-time guidance on this an all IBCLE's exam application requirements, it's best to check with them directly, since the details are subject to change over time. Search the IBLCE web here.)
The Bottom Line
Remember that clinical hours have one purpose. They are designed to make sure you are comfortable and confident when you help lactating families as an IBCLC! And that is a goal worth pursuing.
Lactation-Specific Education
Looking for a way to fulfill the lactation-specific education requirement? LER has a course option that fits your situation.
Our live event Real Talk: The Realities of being and Becoming an IBCLC for Physicians explored these issues and many more.
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