Registered Nurse

Description

The Obstetrical Nurse is responsible for the care of the obstetrical patient through all areas of patient care in the hospital setting, including inpatient and outpatient care. She/he must organize, implement and evaluate the patient’s activities. She/he facilitates the operation of the Obstetrical Department through participation, contribution, and cooperation with peers, supervisors, and the Director of Patient Care Services.

Labor and Delivery Nurses are dedicated to OB. Mid Valley Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital therefore OB Nurses are also support staff to the Acute Care Unit and will regularly have a patient assignment in AC.

Other responsibilities may be assigned or delegated by the Department Manager or Director of Patient Care Services.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

· Psychosocial needs and perceptions of patient and/or family expectations of present hospitalization are identified and documented.

· Alertness and skill in recognizing and identifying symptoms. Symptoms are recognized and appropriate action taken (e.g. notify delivering physician, offer prn medication, etc.).

· Set priorities and give care based on problem solving needs. Ability to complete work within scheduled time.

· Understands the consequences of nursing action. Activities are carried out safely, correctly, and economically

· Administer medications.

· Perform blood transfusions.

· Special treatments.

· Provide bedside nursing care.

· Serve meal trays.

· Answer lights and telephones.

· Admit, transfer, and discharge patients.

· Provide and document patient teaching concerning routine hospital procedures and special procedures regarding their condition.

· Be familiar with and having on hand all emergency drugs and supplies. Checks crash carts per p&p.

· Maintain a clean and safe environment for all patients.

· Communicates pertinent information to family or significant other when appropriate.

· Mobilizes additional personnel when appropriate.

· Perform the initial assessment of the patient by palpating the abdomen, performing a vaginal examination, and determining fetal position and descent within the first hour of admission. Notify the delivering practitioner.

· Possessing knowledge and skill necessary to administer and monitor IV fluids including Pitocin, MgSO4, and medication to stop labor.

· Explain the fetal monitor to patients, operate the monitor efficiently, document appropriately, and identify signs of fetal distress.

· Obtains vaginal cultures per proper protocol.

· Assist the delivering physician with:

1. Vaginal examination

2. Rupture of membranes

3. Obtaining vaginal cultures

4. External versions

5. Amniocenteses

6. Epidurals

· Prepare for and assist with delivery by:

1. Prepping patient as indicated

2. Circulating for delivery

3. Cleaning instruments and unit

· Recover patients following delivery:

1. Checking fundus

2. Monitor vital signs

3. Checking lochia

4. Helping mother bond with and breastfeed newborn

· Care for the newborn:

1. Apgar scoring and immediate newborn care and vitals

2. Foot printing

3. ID band application

4. Applying eye ointment

5. Vitamin K injection

6. Monitoring vitals

7. Bonding with parents

8. Initiate breastfeeding within first hour after birth for stable infants of mothers desiring to breastfeed

9. All care necessary to monitor and care for newborn – including resuscitation

· Follow procedure and protocol in the instance of a stillborn.

· Accurate and legible documentation completed each shift.

· The skills checklist completed within the first 6 months of employment.

· Computerized charting.

· Interact with other team members to keep them informed of any changes in patient’s condition.

· Check narcotics with each shift change or as procedure dictates.

· Assist in orientation of new employees.

· Receive and record in the appropriate areas of the medical record – all orders from the medical staff.

· Keep the delivering physician informed of the patient’s condition.

· Takes an active part in the hospital-wide quality assurance program in accordance with hospital policies and procedures.

· Reads and initials memos and administrative directives as posted.

· Maintains a well-stocked and aseptic department by cleaning equipment and replacing supplies and medications.

· Follows the normal chain of command.

· Participate and document continuing education.

· Attended NRP. Takes class every 2 years as recommended.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Reports for scheduled shift on time and prepared to assume responsibilities.

· Reports to work in proper uniform/attire.

· Leaves for meal break on time and returns on time.

· Varies work schedule to meet the needs of the department.

· Ensures the department manager has approved all scheduled overtime.

· Seek supervisor approval before working beyond scheduled hours that will result in overtime.

· Schedules all time off with supervisor’s approval.

· Strictly adheres to hospital attendance/tardiness policies 100% of the time.

· Performs all duties as assigned.

· Wears I.D. badge in a visible location at all times on hospital property.

· Protects I.D. and access badge and reports any issues or loss immediately to supervisor or to the Human Resource Department.

2. Attends and participates in meetings and is responsible for information communicated at meetings and in email.

· Attends all mandatory in service on a timely basis as scheduled.

· Participates as an active team member at staff meetings.

· Reads communications and acts upon in a positive and informative manner.

3. Responds to all training/recertification notices timely and completes required training and/or recertification prior to deadline or expiration.

4. Exercise a commitment to practicing behaviors that are in agreement with the spirit of cooperation and reflect the values described in the Code of Mutual Respect and Professionalism.

5. Assists all patients, family members, physicians, visitors, and employees in a professional and courteous manner.

· Extends special attention and sensitivity to all patients, visitors, physicians, and fellow employees.

· Actively promote diversity and inclusion across organization for both patients and coworkers while avoiding any language or actions considered to be discriminatory or derogatory regarding race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status.

· Assists in maintaining an atmosphere of cooperation and teamwork with other departments and community partners.

· Demonstrates a genuine willingness to prevent or resolve inter-personal conflicts.

· Demonstrates the ability to participate in and/or implement team decisions.

· Adheres to HIPAA and all applicable privacy laws at all times, only sharing information on a “need to know” basis.

6. Follows Infection Control procedures at all times.

· Clinical Personnel: Strictly adheres to standard precautions by adhering to the usage of personal protective equipment when handling blood or body fluids.

· Non-Clinical Personnel: Washes hands and other skin surfaces with soap and water thoroughly and often in an effort to control spreading of germs within the department and facility.

· Adheres to isolation procedures at all times as applicable.

7. Adheres to the following environmental care standards.

· Demonstrates adequate knowledge of safety policies and procedures, the use of MSDS sheets, hazardous material procedures, and safety codes.

· Respond appropriately to any Codes while working any shift (Code Blue, Code Gray, Code Silver, Code Amber, Code Red, Code Orange, Rapid Response Team).

· Demonstrates adequate knowledge of security issues, i.e. personal protection, protection of personal and hospital property.

8. Be familiar with and comply with the Mid-Valley Hospital & Clinic Personnel Handbook and Policies.

9. Be familiar with the collective bargaining agreement (Union Contract) of the UFCW21 and Mid-Valley Hospital.

10. Demonstrates the ability to adapt to varied age-specific patient populations.

· Non-Clinical Personnel: This position has no responsibility for the assessment, treatment, or care of patients. However, the ability to communicate and interact with patients of all ages is required.

Requirements

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: Graduated from an accredited School of Nursing.

EXPERIENCE: 1 – 3 years acute care nursing experience, with 1 – 3 years Labor and Delivery experience. The Obstetrics Department will employ only registered nurses who meet the requirements of a staff nurse at Mid-Valley Hospital plus the special qualifications necessary to render quality Labor and Delivery care. She/he must demonstrate professional behavior.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE/REGISTRATION: Current state nursing licensure. ACLS is required upon hire with biannual renewal, CPR annually, Neonatal resuscitation certification.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively: delegate and coordinate through leadership skills. She/he must demonstrate professional behavior. She/he must participate in continuing education and demonstrate motivation for continued self-improvement. Ability to communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and educational levels; i.e. patients, families, employees, physicians, etc.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: Standard precautions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

May be required to work any shift in emergencies.

May be required to work any day of the week.

Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Works in the Obstetrics’ Department and Acute Care as assigned, which encompasses a variety of kinds of patients. Occasional stress during emergency situations. Majority of work is performed indoors. High risk for biohazards.

This person spends 95% of their time in temperature controlled space. The potential for exposure to bio-hazardous agents or exposure to blood-borne pathogens and other potential infectious agents is high. This position requires contact with patients and staff under a wide variety of circumstances. This person is subject to varying and unpredictable situations, many interruptions, long irregular hours, multiple calls and inquiries.

WAGE AND COMPENSATION

Wage range $40.70 hr. - $ 73.71 – DOE

Mid-Valley Hospital offers a benefit package. This includes accrued vacation time in the amount of .076923 vacation hours per hour worked. Accrued sick leave at an accrual of .04615 per hour, Life insurance and a profit-sharing plan. We also offer medical, dental and vision insurance plans. Employees can enroll in a 403(b) deferred compensation plan and/or a 457 deferred compensation plan.