Registered Nurse

L&D Registered Nurse Position Description

Reports to: Chief Quality Officer

Purpose: Care for women and their infants during labor and childbirth. They are responsible for assisting, supporting, and educating women during the four stages of delivery: antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and neonatal.

Responsibilities:

● Providing support for the mother during labor

● Monitoring the fetal heart rate, and mother’s vital signs

● Measuring the strength and timing of contractions

● Administering medications and performing diagnostic tests

● Consulting with physicians and other members of the care team

● Assisting with inducing labor

● Coaching the mother during delivery

● Identifying and assisting with complications

● Assisting with various procedures, including Cesarean sections,

● Monitoring and performing tests on newborns

● Providing education and support to mothers and families after delivery

● Sits with and monitors patient throughout (before/during/after) the labor

● Monitors contractions and helps patient with breathing techniques

● Performs basic IV and central line skills

● Performs phlebotomy skills

● Assists or performs various procedures including insertion of IUPC and fetal scalp electrode, speculum exam, digital cervical exam, bedside ultrasound for position, and fetal monitoring

● Knowledge of hemodynamics

● Administers pain medication as ordered; administers other meds to address specific medical conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes

● Takes and records patient’s vital signs, ascertains if problematic

● Reads fetal monitor & ascertains if there is a problem with baby’s heart rate

● Identifies & manages life-sustaining physiological functions in unstable patients

● Checks patient’s cervix periodically to monitor progression/lack of dilation

● Ensures patient’s bed is kept dry & clean; cleans up bodily fluids expelled before & after the birthing process

● Contacts anesthesia when/if patient is ready for epidural; contacts delivering physician at appropriate time, ascertains proper time

● Cares for patients on Pitocin, MgSO4 & continuous lumbar epidural

● Ensures patient is in proper position for delivery & all monitoring equipment is functioning properly

● Aids doctor with drapes, gloves, gowns, etc.; hands doctor delivery instruments as needed during birthing process

● Encourages patient to push at proper time(s)

● Records time of birth

● Immediate care of newborn (clean, weigh, etc.)

● Gives Apgar scores

● Keeps any family informed of progression of birth

● Performs other position-related duties as assigned, depending on assignment setting

● Assists with quality projects related to obstetrics and women’s health

● Demonstrates ability to competently assess and recover a recovering OB patient

● Cares for infant following delivery including supporting rooming in, breastfeeding, and other new infant care issues

Qualifications:

● Active Alabama Registered Nurse license

● Experience in L&D (minimum of 2 years)

● ACLS, ALSO, and PALS / NRP certified