Clinical Nurse Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Nurse Specialist Educator - Obstetrics is responsible for clinical education, competency validation, and professional development of nursing staff within the OB department. This role ensures high-quality, evidence-based maternal and newborn care, promotes patient safety, supports regulatory compliance, and strengthens staff readiness for obstetric emergencies. The position is critical to maintaining excellence in women's services within a rural hospital setting.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Assesses educational and competency needs of OB nursing staff (L&D, postpartum, newborn care).

2. Develops and delivers orientation, continuing education, and annual competencies specific to obstetrics.

3. Coordinates and leads OB emergency preparedness education (e.g., hemorrhage, preeclampsia, shoulder dystocia, neonatal resuscitation).

4. Supports implementation of evidence-based obstetric and neonatal practices

5. Ensures staff education aligns with AWHONN, ACOG, CMQCC, and regulatory standards.

6. Provides education related to fetal monitoring, maternal safety bundles, and newborn care

7. Collaborates with physicians, midwives, anesthesia, pediatrics, and interdisciplinary teams.

8. Supports quality improvement initiatives related to maternal outcomes, patient experience, safety events, infection prevention and risk management initiatives.

9. Maintains accurate OB education and competency documentation

10. Serves as a clinical expert and mentor for OB nursing staff

11. Promotes respectful maternity care, patient-centered communication, and cultural sensitivity. Promotes a culture of respect, integrity, professionalism and lifelong learning.

12. Assists with regulatory surveys, audits and perinatal program reviews. Provides education related to regulatory standards (e.g., Joint Commission, CMS, Title 22, CDPH, OSHA)

13. Collaborates with nurse leaders and department clinical educators to address practice gaps, quality metrics, patient experience, and staff performance improvement.

14. Submits accurate education records, competency files, and compliance documentation to Human Resources.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Expert knowledge of obstetric and neonatal nursing practice

2. Strong teaching, coaching, and facilitation skills

3. Ability to lead education related to high-risk, low-volume obstetric events

4. Excellent communication and interdisciplinary collaboration skills

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Other duties as assigned from time to time.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

1. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required

2. Master's Degree in Nursing, Education, Women's Health or related field preferred

3. Minimum 5 years of obstetric nursing experience (Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, or Women's Services).

4. Prior experience in staff education, clinical instruction, or leadership strongly preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

1. Current licensure to practice registered nursing in the state of California.

2. Current AHA BLS required upon hire. ACLS, NRP and PALS certification as required by Department. These certifications must be completed before the 90 day provisional period and must always be completed prior to being assigned to full patient (level 3 care- see cross training policy) care in that area.

3. AWHONN fetal monitoring certification preferred

AGE OF THE POPULATION SERVED:

Age groups based on specific department populations served; e.g., ER, M/S, or Perinatal.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: see attached

1. Includes full patient care physical requirements, equipment usage, and regulatory training. Includes standing, walking, lifting up to 35 lbs, PPE usage, exposure to hazardous and bloodborne pathogens,

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.

2. Ability to communicate with various personality types.

3. Ability to make public presentations.

4. Ability to make decisions with patient and staff safety in mind and based on sound fiscal practices.

SCHEDULING AND AVAILABILITY:

1. Normal work schedule may consist of 5 eight hour shifts on the unit that same pay period or 3 twelve hour shifts on the nursing unit a pay period when asked to work the floor.

2. When necessary, will have meetings or classes outside of regular business hours to meet the needs of the District Administration or the staff of the hospital, as directed by Administration.