Registered Nurse - Labor and Delivery

Full Time - Nights

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The RN is a licensed professional who uses the Parkland nursing professional practice model to coordinate patient care delivery, that focuses on a particular patient population(s)/specific health condition, by the health care team. Using the nursing process, the RN assesses the patient, identifies nursing diagnoses based on responses to health problems, develops and implements an individualized plan of care, and evaluates the patient's response. The RN utilizes knowledge of patient needs and the healthcare environment to assist patients to transition through the healthcare encounter without any preventable complications or delays. The RN delegates interventions to health care personnel based on the Texas Nursing Practice Act, each patient's condition and the competencies of the employee.

MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS

Education

• Must be a graduate from an accredited school of nursing.

Experience

• If less than 9 months experience, a Nurse residency is required. LVN experience does not waive this requirement.
• Equivalent Education and/or Experience None

Certification/Registration/Licensure

• Must have current RN license or valid temporary permit with the Texas Board of Nursing or valid Compact RN license

• Must have current healthcare provider BLS for Healthcare Providers certification from one of the following:

• American Heart Association

• American Red Cross

• Military Training Network

• Must have current Advanced Life Support (ALS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification upon hire or placement in the role. Certification must be from one of the following:

• American Heart Association

• American Red Cross

• Military Training Network

• Must have current Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification on hire or placement in the role.

• May be required to have additional specialty certifications.

• Electronic Fetal Monitoring

• Must have completed RELIAS or AWHONN (Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal) endorsed Basic Electronic Fetal Monitoring Certificate within 90 days of hire or reclassification into the role. Attainment is needed only once and is considered a lifetime event and not subject to renewals.

• Must obtain AWHONN (Association of Women's Health, Obstetrics Neonatal Nurses) Intermediate Electronic Fetal Monitoring Certificate no later than 1 year from date of hire or reclassification into the role, and before transition into a Sr. RN Spec - L&D position.

Skills or Special Abilities

• Must be able to provide care to assigned patient population in accordance with the current State of Texas Nursing Practice Act, ANA Scope and Standards, established protocols, multidisciplinary plan of care, and clinical area specific standards.
• Must be able to provide continuous assessment, consults with other team members as required and provides nursing care which demonstrates patient centered/patient valued care.
• Exercises independent judgment in providing nursing care.
• Must be able to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and possess good oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with patients,
• May be required to communicate effectively, via the overhead paging system. Must be able to demonstrate patient centered/patient valued behaviors.
• As applicable, will be required to demonstrate acceptable knowledge of nursing standards of care for specialty care area.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a patient advocate, by focusing on patient needs, patient rights, confidentiality, and religious and cultural preferences. Maintains positive working relationships with all Parkland internal and external customers, employees, etc. Serves as a resource for patients and other healthcare team members. Utilizes effective verbal and non-verbal communication to facilitate development of a therapeutic relationship and environment that promotes wellness. Provides patient care educational information and training to patient and family members. May serve as a resource for specific clinical patient care issues. May participate in community outreach activities (such as health fairs, community collaborations or outreach clinics) as assigned.
• Maintains and implements knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws and guidelines that impact or govern nursing practice, and ensures the hospital and Parkland are in compliance. Develops effective internal controls that promote adherence to applicable state/federal laws and the program requirements of accreditation agencies and federal, state, and private health plans. Maintains and updates knowledge of sanitation, infection control, safety, supplies, equipment, appropriate utilization of supplies and materials. Maintains current knowledge of procedures and practice for patients requiring induction of pregnancy.
• Performs appropriate patient assessments including continuous surveillance. Recognizes changes in a patient's condition and provides appropriate interventions as necessary. Consults with other team members as required, notifies providers to report changes in patient condition and implements orders in a timely manner. Exercises independent judgment in providing safe nursing care to the laboring patient, stable neonate, recovering, ECU and postpartum patient.
• Performs appropriate duties during the laboring process, during a vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery and during the immediate postpartum period. Supports breastfeeding and provides education related to newborn. Provides safe medication administration using the patient's 6 rights, provides maintenance, maintenance and management of IV access, performs POC monitoring and demonstrates safe infection control practices. Supports appropriate positioning, assessment and management of pain and provides emergency resuscitation care to the neonate and patient in the Labor and Delivery area.
• Completes appropriate documentation. Maintains accurate and timely entries and notations in patient care records and hospital documents. Ensures that all records and documents meet the standards, goals, and objectives of the assigned department and Parkland.
• Identifies ways to improve work process and improve patient and customer satisfaction. Makes recommendations to supervisor, implements and monitors results as appropriate in support of the overall goals of the department and Parkland.
• Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements and trends in nursing practice by attending seminars/workshops, reading professional journals and actively participating in professional organizations. Maintains State of Texas Licensure as a Registered Nurse, plus any additional required licensures/certifications. Integrates knowledge gained into current work practices.
• Seeks and utilizes direction from more experience staff and team members as needed. May work with other staff in providing direction to non-nursing staff. Provides appropriate hand off any time care is relinquished. Participates in information exchanges with nursing and other Parkland staff that support the standards, missions, goals and objectives of the department and Parkland.
• Any duties deemed competent.

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