Maternal Child RN-Labor Nurse (casual status)

Job Description:

Seeking a talented RN to join our team in Labor & Delivery.

This position works under general supervision while assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating the nursing care required to meet the needs of the patient.

Job duties include (but not limited to):

• Performs complete patient assessments and communicates to the providers.

• Documents and maintains accurate nursing records.

• Functions as patient advocate between patient, physicians, other healthcare providers, administration, etc., as needed, and interacts professionally with patients and family members.

• Initiates diagnostic, preventative and rehabilitative nursing procedures as appropriate to the patient's care and safety.

• Administers medications to patients in accordance with approved standards of nursing knowledge and competency, based on age of patient, patient's clinical condition and physician orders.

• Other duties as assigned.

LABOR AND DELIVERY RN specific duties include:

• Conducts complete history and assessment of the pregnant woman for confirmation of active labor and identification of risk factors.

• Provides continuous assessment and physical and emotional support for the woman in labor and her supportive person, including relaxation and breathing techniques and other non-pharmacological methods of pain control used for each stage of labor.

• Provides appropriate fetal assessment by periodic FHR auscultation and EFM, both externally and internally. 

• Demonstrates knowledge of reassuring and non-reassuring FHR patterns and provides appropriate interventions and evaluation. 

• Assists primary caregiver with insertion of IUPC and management of amnioinfusion. Provides assessments, interventions and evaluations of the woman experiencing augmentation and induction of labor and chemical cervical ripening.

• Provides assistance as needed to the anesthesia provider. 

• Monitors the effects of analgesia and anesthesia on the mother and her fetus and provides appropriate interventions and evaluation.

• Prepares the delivery area to provide a safe and secure environment for vaginal or Cesarean birth. 

• Circulates during vaginal and Cesarean birth to provide assistance to the primary care giver and surgical team as directed and provides care of the mother and her support person(s).  Provides assistance with forceps and vacuum delivery if needed. 

• Assists with the care of the newborn as needed.  Documents identification of the newborn and all observations and procedures.

• Provides assessment and support of the newly delivery patient (vaginal or Cesarean birth) using knowledge of the physiologic and psychological adaptation during this period. 

• Recognizes deviation from normal and initiates appropriate intervention.

• Assesses the breastfeeding mother to begin as soon as both are stable and identifies breastfeeding problems and takes appropriate nursing actions. 

• Makes referral to lactation consultant as necessary. 

• Initiates appropriate intervention. Provides ongoing planning and education throughout the hospital stay, to prepare for self care and family adjustment. 

• Assesses the educational needs of the family and identifies barriers to learning.  Assesses bonding and promotes positive bonding behaviors.  Makes referrals as necessary.

• Recognizes emergency situations such as precipitous birth, prolapsed cord, ruptured uterus or hemorrhagic disorders and intervenes appropriately.

• Collaborates with primary caregiver and implements a plan of care for the high risk intrapartum patient with hypertension in pregnancy, and other medical, surgical and emotional problems such as:  infection, diabetes, cardiac disease, autoimmune disorders, trauma and depression.

• Helps meet the special needs of the woman and her family experiencing loss and grief.

• Prepares and assists with transfer of high risk obstetrical patients to Level III medical centers. Provides postoperative care and teaching for the gynecological and ophthalmology patients. Attains competency in Fetal Heart Rate monitoring.  Completes OB Course.  Attains and maintains NRP Certification

Position Requirements:

EDUCATION: Associate Degree in Nursing required (Bachelor's preferred). 

EXPERIENCE:  One year experience with maternal child nursing preferred.

CERTIFICATE, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: BLS certification required.  Current registered nursing (RN) license or Temporary permit from the State of NE required. NRP and Basic Fetal Monitoring to be obtained within one year of hire. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.