Responsible for direction of patient care in the maternity and newborn care setting. Manages staff members in the nursery, labor and delivery and postpartum units. Consults with staff, physicians, Director of Nursing on nursing problems and interpretation of hospital policies to ensure patient needs are met. Maintains performance improvement activities within the department and participates in CQI activities. Assists in formulating the budget.

• Coordinates and directs patient care to ensure patients' needs are met and hospital policy is followed.
• Provides leadership and direction in accordance with organizational and departmental goals and objectives.
• Provides for professional growth and development of staff through identification of needs, sponsoring training programs, encouraging education (formal and continuing) efforts and evaluation of same.
• Responsible for completion of regular performance evaluations for each staff member; conducts evaluations for new staff prior to completion of probationary period.
• Responsible for the safety and comfort of patients and the health and safety of department staff.
• Evaluates and sets standards for the department and equipment; monitors utilization of equipment and supplies.
• Provides input and standards in formulating patient care policies and procedures for patient care services and the organization; works with the medical staff to coordinate medical and nursing management of patient care.
• Provides direction for teaching patients and their families and other educational activities.
• Serves as a clinical resource person to staff and other departments.
• Stays current in the Maternal Child Health through continuing education, seminars, professional journals and societies.
• Ability to perform a head-to-toe assessment on all patients and reassessments as per policy. This includes neonatal and the general patient population.
• Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Ability to assess neonate at delivery and perform neonatal resuscitation according to NRP guidelines
• Knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and their clinical condition.
• Follows the five (5) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Demonstrates knowledge of fetal monitoring, identifies FHR patterns and treats appropriately based upon ACOG/AWHONN standards.
• Formulates a teaching plan based upon identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning, family is included in teaching as appropriate.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial needs of patients and family.
• Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly.
• Interacts professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the formation of the plan of care.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to physicians, staff, Nursing Director and administrative team.
• Demonstrates an ability to assist physicians with procedures in labor and delivery, postpartum and newborn nursery.
• Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.
• Ability to perform waived testing (point of care testing) per Clinical Laboratory's and the patient care unit's policies and procedures.
• Ability to interpret the results of waived tests; takes appropriate action on waived test results
• Maintains a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.
• Consults other departments as appropriate to collaborate in patient care and performance improvement activities.
• Maintains performance improvement activities for department.
• Documentation meets current standards and policies.
• Provides education to staff on performance improvement.
• Ability to plan, organize orientation and in-service training for unit staff members, participates in guidance and educational programs, with the collaboration of the nurse educator.

Regulatory Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing; Masters preferred.
• Current state Registered Nurse Licensure.
• NCC certification preferred.
• Current BLS certification
• Current ACLS & NRP certification
• Fetal monitoring NCC certification within 2 years of hire.
• Three (3) or more years of previous experience in all aspects of maternity nursing and a minimum of two (2) years supervisory experience.