Registered Nurse (RN), Labor & Delivery

at  RWJBarnabas Health

JOB OVERVIEW:

Labor and Delivery Nurses help bring new life into the world every day. They care for women during labor and childbirth by monitoring the baby and the mother, coaching mothers and assisting doctors.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Must be a graduate from an accredited school of nursing
• Must have 2 years of RN experience in specialty
• Ability to perform all competencies of the position is required for employment in the position

Preferred:

• Bachelor s degree preferred
• Previous OB experience

SCHEDULING REQUIREMENTS:

• Full-Time
• Night shift
• 40 hrs. weekly

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

As a Labor and Delivery Nurse, you will prepare women, and their families, for the stages of giving birth and help patients with breastfeeding after the baby is born. Additionally, your responsibilities will include monitoring the baby s heart rate and mother s blood pressure; timing of contractions; helping to administer medications and epidurals; identifying and assisting with complications; aiding in inducing labor and preparing new mothers for before, during and after pregnancy.
Administers intrapartum medications in a safe and effective manner including tocolytics, oxytocin, magnesium sulfate, and insulin. Performs bedside urine testing. Utilizes aseptic techniques and infection control principles in all aspects of care. Handles instruments in a safe and effective manner. Performs triage assessment. Provides intrapartum care as outlined in orientation competencies. Recognizes abnormal signs in mother and/or fetus and institutes appropriate nursing actions. Demonstrates understanding of role during the delivery process. Provides care for the patient experiencing a operative delivery, including serving in the circulatory and scrub roles. Applies principles of thermoregulation in the care of the newborn.
Assures proper identification of medications transferred from non-sterile to sterile field. Recognizes abnormal FHR patterns and intervenes appropriately. Supports breastfeeding through encouragement of initial latch-on prior to transfer to nursery. Demonstrates an understanding of nursing management of patients in high-risk situations as outlined in the orientation competencies. Assesses the obstetrical Post Anesthesia status of the cesarean section patient, according to policy and procedure. Assesses the patient with cardiac monitoring and responds appropriately to emergent rhythms.
Provides measures to decrease risk of infant abduction and demonstrates appropriate response in actual/potential situations. Assures newborn identification is present according to policy. Employs safety measures during surgical procedures to prevent fires. Assesses maternal-newborn attachment and intervenes if negative behaviors are noted.

OTHER DUTIES:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.