The Obstetrics RN has primary responsibility for providing care for patients in labor, delivery, nursery and postpartum.

The OB Department RN will be scheduled in the OB Department after s/he has received: a) experience in labor, delivery, nursery, and postpartum nursing care (documented in references from employment) plus supervised clinical performance in OB completion of preceptor education course in OB care with supervised orientation to all aspects of department-by-Department Director and experienced RN's.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform admitting assessments, review history, and develop plan of care. Initiate fetal heart monitor, perform vaginal exams, interpret fetal heart tones, and determine frequency duration and intensity of contractions.

• Monitor progress of laboring mothers, interpret fetal heart monitor and notify physician when appropriate for progress or problems. Assist mother and labor coach with breathing exercises, pain management techniques and administer pain medication as ordered. Prepare birthing room for delivery using strict sterile technique.

• Prepare mothers for elective or emergency Cesarean Section. Provide emotional support to mother and coach, obtain proper consents and pre-op diagnostic studies, and coordinate smooth transfer to surgery.
• Assist physician with initiation of induction of labor and monitor progress of labor: drips, adjust flow rate or pump according to physician's orders, be alert for abnormalities or problems.
• Document nursing care properly on chart forms, and computer.
• Assist physician in administering care during labor: artificial rupture of membranes, initiation of internal fetal monitoring or intrauterine pressure catheter, initiation of pitocin drip or other IV medications, sterile vaginal exams, or other procedures. Assist anesthesia with the administration of spinal or epidural anesthetic.
• Perform immediate post-delivery care of mother and infant: determine Apgar scores, DeLee suction and bulb suction infants, apply ID bands, weigh, and measure infant, administer medications to mother and infant as ordered, assist physician with resuscitation, perform fundal massage and monitor vital signs and lochia as needed, promote infant/parent bonding, and obtain newborn identification per policy.
• Perform post-partum care and provide patient education to mothers: check lochia, episiotomy, and fundus, provide instruction in childcare, breast feeding and self-care to mother, monitor vital signs per policy, report problems to physician.
• Perform nursery care on infant: operate OB equipment (heaters, newborn monitor, phototherapy light), assess infants and vital signs, assist with circumcision, coordinate stabilization and transfer of unstable infants, perform or assist with all feedings (breast feeding, nipple feeding or gavage feeding) perform umbilical cord care, monitor blood sugar, initiate isolation if indicated, draw blood from umbilical catheters (but not percutaneous arterial punctures). Assess gestational age, give bath, pulse oximetry screening, and perform hearing screening and any other treatments.
• Administer medications, solutions, and treatments per physician's order: Display knowledge of administration and effects of medications used and operate IV/PCA pumps correctly.
• Initiate and maintain IV and oxygen therapy on infants under the direction of a physician.
• Admit and care for post-surgical patients. Monitor and assess per post-anesthesia protocol.
• Perform discharge teaching for all patients.
• Provide required care for OB/OBS patients.
• Display knowledge of specialized resuscitation protocol for infants: NRP, CPR

technique, drug dosages, fluid requirements, thermoregulation, stabilization, and transport.

• Participate in in-services and continue education specialized for OB/Nursery.
• Depending on census, may float to other departments.
• Demonstrates clear ownership of workplace and patient safety.
• Reports mistakes, near misses, adverse events and quality and safety concerns.
• Participates in the development and implementation of safety and quality improvement activities.
• Protects patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Job Qualification Requirements:

Education: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with current Indiana licensure as a Registered Nurse. Prefer Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Licensure/Certification: Currently licensed by Indiana State Board of Nursing Registration and Nursing Education. Within 6 months candidate with obtain certification in NRP (Neonatal resuscitation). Prior to the end of the second year of employment, candidate will have taken the STABLE course, Intermediate Fetal Monitoring course and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support). All certifications must remain in good standing.

Experience: Experience in obstetric care. Knowledge of labor, delivery, postpartum and nursery care essential. Must know principles and practice of sterile technique and infection control. Must be skilled in technical aspects of mother/infant care. Able to perform effectively in highly stressful situations. Must be able to interact effectively with a wide variety of people. Excellent communication skills.

Physical Requirements: Extensive standing, sitting, walking, heavy lifting. Frequently lift 50 lbs. or more.