Director of Labor & Delivery

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Job Title: LDRP Nurse Director (Labor/Delivery/Recovery/Postpartum)

Supervised by: Chief Nursing Officer

Job Summary:

Responsible for direction of patient care in the maternity and newborn care setting. Manages staff members in the Nursery and Labor and Delivery units. Consults with staff, physicians, Chief Nursing Officer 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.

Demonstrates Competency in the Following Areas:

• Coordinates and directs patient care to ensure patients’ needs are met and hospital policy is followed.
• Responsible for the recruitment, interviewing and selection of staff for the Labor/Delivery/Recovery/Postpartum Department.
• 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 Labor/Delivery/Recovery/Postpartum 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 established guidelines.
• Knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and their clinical condition.
• Follows the seven (7) 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.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
• Demonstrates knowledge of fetal monitoring, identifies FHR patterns and treats appropriately based upon ACOG/NCC 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, Chief Nursing Officer 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 and organize orientation and inservice training for unit staff members, participates in guidance and educational program.

Professional Requirements:

• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Completes annual education requirements.
• Maintains regulatory requirements, including all federal, state, local regulations and accrediting organization standards.
• Maintains and ensures patient confidentiality at all times.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled; completes work within designated time.
• Wears identification while on duty.
• Attends annual review and performs departmental inservices.
• Works at maintaining a good rapport and a cooperative working relationship with physicians, departments and staff.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Attends committee, CQI and management meetings, as appropriate.
• Resolves staff concerns at the departmental level, utilizing the grievance process as required.
• Ensures compliance with policies and procedures regarding department operations, fire safety, emergency management and infection prevention and control.
• Effectively and consistently communicates administrative directive to staff and encourages interactive departmental meetings and discussions.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the hospital, as well as the focus statement of the department.

Regulatory Requirements:

· Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.

· Current Registered Nurse Licensure in the state of Arkansas.

· Successful completion of Neonatal Resuscitation certification.

· BLS and fetal monitoring certification.

· Three (3) or more years of clinical experience.

Language Skills:

· Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

· Additional languages preferred.

· Strong written and verbal skills.

Skills:

· Basic computer knowledge.

Physical Demands:

· Mobility, sight, hearing, verbal communication, changes in temperature, exposure to disagreeable elements, exposure to biological, mechanical, electrical, and chemical hazards. Frequent standing and walking. Lift up to 100 pounds. Carrying up to 40 pounds. Pushing/pulling up to 450 pounds.

· This position is a safety sensitive position pursuant to Amendment 98 to the Arkansas Constitution § 2(25). A safety sensitive position means any position in which a person performing the position while under the influence of marijuana may constitute a threat to health or safety. This position is therefore “safety sensitive” due to the fact it requires the following: performing life-threatening procedures; working with hazardous or flammable materials, controlled substances, food, or medicine; and a lapse of attention while working in this position could result in injury, illness, or death.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care.