Registered Nurse - OB Nights

Description:

Summary The Obstetrical Registered Nurse performs as a team leader within the obstetrical department to provide and delegate goal-directed nursing care for the patients by utilizing the nursing process from admission to discharge. The registered nurse is responsible for the care of the obstetrical, med/surg, and newborn patients within the scope of practice of their licensure. NALS certificate is recommended. The nurse must be able to communicate concisely and have a good working rapport with patients, patients' families, physician, and peers. The registered nurse must be flexible, calm in stressful situations, and capable of setting priorities when needed.

ESSESTIAL DUITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Establishes patients 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. Assists physicians with the care of unstable newborns until transport team arrives. Administers medication to all patients on unit (newborns to geriatric). Performs vaginal exams. Interprets fetal monitor tracings and neonatal monitor readings and takes appropriate actions when indicated. Accompanies newborn, obstetrical, and post-partum patients on ambulance transfers when deemed necessary by House Supervisor or DON. Prepares OB patients for planned or emergency cesarean sections. Prepares birthing bed or delivery table and assists physicians with vaginal deliveries. Stabilizes high risk OB patients using appropriate measures until physician arrives. Works closely with physician to keep him/her updated on the patient's condition. Administers and monitors blood and blood products per hospital policy and procedure. Demonstrates a complete knowledge of the location, care, and operation of unit equipment. Participates in patient and family teaching. Initiates or assists with emergency measures for sudden adverse development in patients, such as cardiac arrest. Assists in updating and revising the policy and procedure manuals as necessary. Rotate shifts as required including weekends and holidays. Participates in all hospital wide PI activities. Reports all abnormal lab and other diagnostic studies to physician. Supervises the economical utilization of supplies and ensures that equipment is maintained in a clean and safe manner during his/her shift. Prepares and delivers verbal shift report when his/her shift has ended. Updates skills by attending in-service and staff meetings. Maintains certification and licensure as required by the State of Mississippi Board of Nursing. Uses CDC Infection Control Procedures when caring for a patient as well as safe practices for their own personal safety. Floats to another unit on occasion to work within their scope of practice, if deemed necessary by the House Supervisor and/or DON. Must be able to give and administer care to patients from all groups across the life span, as well as be familiar with the treatments, procedures, and medications for all groups across the life span. Restocks and checks expiration date on medication and supplies in the department as needed. Maintains cleanliness of medication and break room. Cleans or organizes storage areas. Stocks and organizes procedure room. Any other duties as assigned by Administration or DON.

Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing with an RN degree. Current certification in BLS Current certification in ACLS (recommended) Current certification in PALS (recommended)

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, and interpret policy and procedures, and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from patients, doctors, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, volume, and dosage calculations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The 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, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The 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 function. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually quite.