Job Title
Registered Nurse (RN) - Labor & Delivery
Job Summary
Join our dedicated team as a Registered Nurse in the Labor & Delivery unit at an acute care hospital in Moses Lake, Washington. This vital role encompasses both direct patient care and care management, requiring a compassionate and skilled professional to guide patients through critical moments.
As a caregiver, you will apply the full Nursing Process to a diverse patient population, including expectant mothers, new parents, and newborns. In your capacity as a care manager, you will oversee and direct the activities of other nursing and non-nursing staff, ensuring coordinated and high-quality patient outcomes.
This position demands sound clinical judgment, critical thinking, and the ability to function effectively in a fast-paced environment. You will collaborate closely with physicians and other clinicians to deliver exceptional patient-centered care within our Family Birthing Unit.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform comprehensive patient assessments, focusing on physiological, psychosocial, and cognitive status.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate individualized patient care plans in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- Provide patient and family education, assessing learning needs and readiness.
- Accurately document patient care, observations, and interventions in electronic medical records or paper charts.
- Ensure patient and family rights are respected and upheld, demonstrating sensitivity to diverse backgrounds.
- Delegate patient care activities appropriately and supervise assigned team members effectively.
- Demonstrate strong organizational skills, prioritize tasks, and apply sound critical thinking in all situations.
- Adhere to established lines of authority and professional communication protocols.
- May function as a Charge Nurse, overseeing patient assignments, coordinating admissions/discharges/transfers, managing staff breaks, and providing leadership for unit operations.
- Maintain professional growth and development through continuous learning and professional affiliations.
- Ensure adherence to all safety requirements, including infection control, equipment safety, fire protocols, and safe patient handling.
- Comply with all organizational policies, procedures, and regulatory standards.
- Foster a courteous and efficient working relationship with team members and support groups.
- Maintain a professional demeanor and appearance consistent with organizational values.
Required Qualifications
- Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing.
Preferred Qualifications
- Minimum one (1) year of experience as an acute care Registered Nurse.
- Minimum one (1) year of RN experience in a specialty nursing department (e.g., Labor & Delivery).
- STABLE course completion.
- Registered Nurse Certified (RN-C) in a specialty area.
Skills & Competencies
- Clinical Skills: Proficient in the full scope of the Nursing Process (assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation); ability to provide age-appropriate care across the continuum, with specific expertise in maternal and neonatal care; competency with departmental equipment.
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Ability to perform independent problem-solving, make logical and deliberate decisions, and seek resources for direction.
- Leadership & Teamwork: Effective delegation, supervision, and coordination of care; ability to function as a Charge Nurse; strong collaboration with physicians and interdisciplinary teams.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for accurate information exchange with patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
- Accountability: Practices within legal and ethical guidelines, demonstrating strong professional accountability.
- Crisis Management: Ability to manage high-stress situations and rapidly changing patient conditions effectively.
- Physical Demands: Frequent standing, walking, lifting, reaching, kneeling, bending, stooping, pushing, and pulling; manual dexterity; ability to lift/carry up to 30 lbs independently and assist with lifting/pushing/pulling 6