Reports To: OB Nurse Manager / House Supervisor / DONI. Summary The Obstetrical Registered Nurse performs as a team leader within the obstetrical department to provide and delegate goal-directed nursing care for patients by utilizing the nursing process from admissions to discharge. The registered nurse is responsible for the care of obstetrical, med/surg, and newborn patients within the scope of their licensure. NALS certification is recommended. The nurse can communicate clearly and concisely and has a good working rapport with patients, patients' families, physicians, and peers. The registered nurse is flexible, calm in stressful situations, and capable of setting priorities when needed.II. Essential Duties & Responsibilities ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Establishes patient care needs and determines what care is needed to meet those needs based on nursing standards of care.
Assesses and establishes an order of priority of the care given and delegates care to the appropriate personnel within their scope of practice and licensure.
Cares for a variety of Med/Surg, Obstetrical, Postpartum, and Newborn patients.
Cares for OB patients with highly acute needs: e.g. preterm labor, PIH, pitocin infusion, diabetes, placental abruption, and epidural or intrathecal anesthesia.
Assist physicians with the care of unstable newborns until the transport team arrives. Administers medications to all patients on the unit, (newborns to geriatric).
Performs IV insertion and maintenance to all patients, including newborns. Performs vaginal exams.
Interprets fetal monitors tracings and neonatal monitors ·readings and takes appropriate actions when indicated.
Accompanies newborn, obstetrical and post-partum patients on ambulance transfers when deemed necessary by the House Supervisor.
Prepares OB patients for planned or emergency cesarean section.
Prepares birthing bed or delivery table and assists physicians with vaginal delivery.
Administers and monitors blood and blood products per Hospital Policy and Procedures. Applies ISE.
Stabilizes high-risk OB patients using appropriate measures until the physician arrives.
Works closely with the physician to keep him updated on the patient's condition (i.e. while in labor).
Performs safe infection control practices during daily routine and establishes actions to take when infectious processes are identified.
Upgrades his/her skills by attending in-services and unit or staff meetings as required. Maintains certifications as required for the department.
Maintains cleanliness of IV room and eating areas.
Restocks medications and supplies in departments as needed.
Completes all hospital-required documents and requisitions necessary for treatments/procedures done.
Responsible for identifying, delegating and initiating patient and/or family teaching needs and adjusts educational methods/level as indicated by patient/family learning ability or level of education.
Responsible for identifying opportunities for improving his/her unit and participates in all hospital-wide PI activities.
Maintains time clock and attendance rules.
May occasionally be asked to float to another unit to work within his/her scope of practice and knowledge.
III. Physical Demands / ConditionsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee freq ently is required to climb or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25-50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.IV. QualificationsTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation s may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.V. Education and/or ExperienceGraduation from an Accredited Professional School of Nursing with an RN degree.VI. Language SkillsAbility to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.VII. Mathematical SkillsAbility to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.VIII. Reasoning AbilityAbility to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instruction s furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.IX. Work EnvironmentThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
