Birth Assistant RN

The Registered Nurse Birth Assistant functions at each Birth to directly assist and under the supervision of the Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) as the “second pair of hands” during births and/or emergencies, cares for the family during labor and immediately following the birth and during the postpartum period. Maximizes safety in the laboring and birthing process and satisfaction of the childbearing families. Functions as a vital member of the healthcare team who contributes to the success the practice by demonstrating customer/patient focus, effective communication, professionalism, and teamwork. Utilizes the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate comprehensive care provided to selected patient populations and their families.

• Orientation: Responsible for attendance at pre, during and post birthing sessions. Perform general nursing care to patients by following established standards and procedures. Provide patient care based on practice guidelines, standards of care, and federal/state laws and regulations
• Contact: Responsible to be available as needed, days, nights, weekends and holidays and to keep reliable contact information, both by cell phone and to keep the answering service and the CNM informed as to how to be reached.
• Scheduling: Responsible for covering all shifts and holidays, as needed and as scheduled monthly (at least one week prior to the beginning of the month)
• Educational Programs: Participate in teaching the mandatory early home care class. Conduct orientation sessions for prospective clients. Educate patients and families about health status, health maintenance, and management of acute and chronic conditions.
• Intrapartum Care: At the direction of the CNM: care for, provide and support early labor and labor (i.e. fluids, positioning, bath tub and sibling support.) Supplies and/or equipment as needed to complete the set-up of the room for birth. Monitoring of vital signs and fecal heart tones. Assist with delivery, resuscitation, any third stage maternal emergencies, as example: fundal massage, oxytoxic administration, IV therapy preparation, contacting physician and/or ambulance, etc.  
• Immediate Postpartum Care: Vital signs; ongoing assessment of fundus and bleeding, assistance mother with comfort measure and newborn with establishing breastfeeding; cord blood to lab courier, if indicated.
• Postpartum Period till Discharge: Ongoing assessment of mother: bleeding, voiding, fluids and eating, mothering adjustments and physical needs.  Ongoing assessment of newborn: respiratory status, color, temperature, neurological status, feeding and activity.
• Discharge: Review early home-care instructions; assist family in preparations for going home; schedule home visit and one-two week office visit; accompany family to car; immediate terminal cleaning and restocking of birth room – prior to leaving Center.
• Ongoing Postpartum Follow-up: Daily and weekly phone calls; repeat home visits as needed; consulting with CNM for any problems.
• Office Hours: Perform venipuncture and non-stress tests; assist clients with self-care, collection of specimens answering phones and office-flow; and office hour’s phone triage.
• Continuing Competency: Maintains current certification in CPR and neonatal resuscitation; attends Center’s in-service staff programs and emergency drills; participate in transfer review meetings and assist in providing in-service programs to staff.
• Responsible for continuous quality improvements activities as assigned.

• 1 year related experience general nursing is required, preferably maternal/child nursing and/or experience in Labor/Delivery.
• Current/valid Registered Nurse license from the state licensing board required.
• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Care Life Support (ACLS) required.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred.