Full-time OB Registered Nurse

Description

Lexington Regional Health Center

Title: Registered Nurse-OB

Effective Date: September 10, 2020

Supervisor: Chief Nursing Officer

Department: Nursing

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Principle duties and responsibilities

1. Administers patient-centered nursing care as outlined in the scope of practice for obstetric and neonate patients including assessments, reassessments, medication administration, initiating provider orders, observing and monitoring patient conditions, pain management, completion of patient call backs, etc.
2. Evaluates and manages the labor, postpartum and neonate period including preparation and coordination of delivery.
3. Evaluates and interprets the labor strip and recognizes the non-reassuring fetal and maternal assessments. 
4. Maintains medical record documentation to accurately reflect care administered and patient's condition. Records all care information concisely, accurately and completely in a timely manner in the appropriate format and on the appropriate forms. 
5. Provides holistic support to patients and patient designated support system. 
6. Educates patient and designated support system, and/or persons caring for neonate post-discharge while ensuring appropriate bonding to include health care management while at home, care of the neonate, etc.
7. Manages basic life support needs and stabilizes patients until the attending physician is available based upon nursing standards and protocols.
8. Floats among various nursing areas where qualified and competent.
9. Delegates duties through the appropriate scope of practice.
10. Communicates with providers in regard to patient's status, results of diagnostic tests, changes in assessments, etc.
11. Prepares patients for and assists with exams and treatments.
12. Supervises less skilled nursing healthcare personnel.
13. Evaluates and implements patient care plans.
14. Participates in patient care activities that could include blood exposure and risk to bloodborne pathogens (eg: lacerations, handling of blood-contaminated specimens, etc.)  
15. Responsible for safe bagging and disposal of biohazardous waste. 
16. Responsible for following safe-injection practices.  
17. Responsible for ensuring the environment meets appropriate governing body standards.
18. Responsible for proper collection, storage and labeling of biological specimens.
19. Ensure patients and visitors follow current infection control guidelines.
20. Maintains patient and staff safety through the use of patient safety tools (TeamSTEPPS, Just Culture, etc.)
21. Provides accurate and detailed bedside shift report to oncoming staff to ensure consistency and continuity of care.
22. Participates in shared governance committee.
23. Communicates with a multidisciplinary team to ensure patient-centered holistic care.
24. Regular attendance at the assigned work location is required.
25. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities

1. Knowledge and understanding of nursing theory and practice and the growth and development of a variety of patients in order to meet the patients' health care needs as is typically acquired through the completion of an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Nursing from an accredited school. Bachelor's degree preferred.

1. Must hold a current active Registered Nurse license from the State of Nebraska or approved compact state of residence as defined by the Nebraska Nurse Practice Act.
2. BLS, ACLS, and PALS required within 6 months of hire and/or orientation. 
3. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality with regard to protected and sensitive information.
4. Ability to complete reports and correspondence at a professional level.
5. Ability to immediately respond to common inquiries and complaints from patients, employees, and regulatory agencies.
6. Ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
7. Successful completion of required knowledge and training of standard precaution and transmission protocols and when to apply during principle duties and responsibilities. 

Working conditions

1. Nurses in the OB, Charge, and ER jobs are required to be able to fulfill job duties in these three areas. Worker may spend up to 75% of shift completing patient care activities, requiring ambulating and an appropriate body position to complete a task such as squatting or kneeling to help assist patient with dressing. Rest of shift may be spent completing paperwork or computer work for documentation. Transferring patients occasionally to frequently, depending on case load, requires lift of 35 pounds to assist in transfers. A hoyer lift, sit-to-stand lift, or extra assistance may be needed on patients that require extra assist in transfers above the 35 pounds. Nursing COW, which is occasionally utilized for documentation, requires 15 horizontal force pounds to maneuver cart 200 feet at one time. Wheelchairs require up to 40 horizontal force pounds to transport patients up to 300 feet. Hospital beds require 60 horizontal force pounds to move bed 2 feet or to initiate movement and require 40 horizontal force pounds up to 200 feet to transport patient from room to room, many times completed by 2 person assist. Shelves are required to be stocked: OB from 17 inches from floor up to 73 inches high, Acute Floor from 17 inches to 83 inches high, and ER from 4 inches off floor to 77 inches high. A step stool may be required to reach the highest shelves. IV bags weighing 7 pounds are lifted up to variable heights over head to be attached to IV poles. OB bassinets and mobile scale are used for babies, requiring up to 10 horizontal force pounds for movement 2-3 times per shift. Crash cart requires 20 horizontal force pounds to transport up to 150 feet in emergency situations. Chest tube tray in ER weighing 8 pounds is used in appropriate situations, transported up to 200 feet from ER to patient room. Auto CPR device weighs 25 pounds and is used in emergency situations to be transported up to 200 feet from ER to patient room. In emergency situations, nurse may be required to get onto floor to perform CPR or other emergent patient care.
   
2. Exposure to chemicals and other hazards related to patient care. Appropriate safety precautions, such as safety glasses, gloves, etc. must be used to minimize risk of injury.
   
3. Direct exposure to body substances during patient care activities and on contaminated surfaces such as patient equipment.

Management responsibilities

1. None

Job description statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job title. They are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.