RN - Birth Center Registered Nurse

Trinity Health•Dubuque, IA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The RN provides and directs safe, effective, and culturally competent care for women, newborns, and pediatric patients. The nurse uses evidence-based practice and critical thinking to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate outcome-based care across labor and delivery, postpartum, the newborn nursery, pediatrics, and/or pediatric intensive care, with varying levels of acuity. The role supervises and coordinates care provided by LPNs, Patient Care Technicians/Assistants, and other team members, and maintains clear communication with physicians, families, and the interdisciplinary team. The nurse also follows MercyOne’s performance expectations and upholds its Mission, Vision, and Values. This PRN/per-diem Birth Center position at MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center primarily involves night shifts, with a requirement to work every third weekend and every third holiday. Duties include caring for laboring patients, postpartum couplets, and surgical patients. The nurse will be cross-trained to assist in pediatrics during periods of high census. Electronic Fetal Monitor certification must be obtained within the first year; ACLS, NRP, Mandatory Reporter, and BLS requirements also apply. MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center is described as the region’s leading hospital, with the area’s only Level II NICU and most comprehensive cardiology center in the tri-state area. It holds Magnet designation, a CMS five-star quality rating, and other recognitions.

Requirements

Associate degree in nursing.
Current Iowa RN license; a current Illinois license is required if working in Illinois.
American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS).
Complete Mandatory Reporter – Child and/or Dependent Adult Abuse training within three months of hire.
High language ability, intermediate-to-high math ability, and high critical-thinking ability.
Basic computer skills.
Obtain Electronic Fetal Monitor certification within the first year.
ACLS and NRP are required.
Ability to comply with Trinity Health policies and procedures.
The role involves lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling an average of 50–100 pounds 76–100% of the time and standing or walking 76–100% of the time.
The work may involve exposure to hazardous substances, risks associated with handling narcotics, infectious or communicable diseases, and possible injury from confused patients or visitors, instruments, or equipment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Responsibilities

Conduct initial patient assessments, including an initial assessment within 30 minutes of a new admission and completion of the admission assessment database within 24 hours.
Identify patient problems and develop outcome- or goal-based plans of care using relevant obstetric, neonatal, or pediatric history and assessment data.
Determine nursing interventions, prioritize care for mothers and infants, and make appropriate referrals to services such as lactation, social services, nutrition, and spiritual care.
Assign, coordinate, and delegate patient care based on acuity and team member competencies.
Implement care plans, including procedures, treatments, physician and nursing orders, education plans, and medications.
Coordinate care with case managers, social workers, and other disciplines; assist with discharge planning and document discharge instructions for mothers, infants, and caregivers.
Reassess patients at appropriate intervals, evaluate responses to interventions, and revise problem lists, outcomes, and plans of care as conditions change.
Communicate patient status, progress, and changes in condition to physicians and team members; maintain communication during shifts, handoffs, and transfers, and document accurately.
Use Women & Children-specific policies and procedures, follow medication safety practices, use electronic health record systems, process physician orders accurately, communicate significant events to leadership, and complete shift duties.
Interpret fetal heart tracings and neonatal vital signs, respond to changes in maternal or neonatal condition, and provide interventions during obstetric or neonatal emergencies.
Provide age-appropriate care to newborns, children, and adolescents, using suitable equipment and communicating at each patient’s developmental level.
Follow safety and infection-control standards, use appropriate PPE, attend required safety programs, demonstrate emergency procedures, and maintain a safe environment.
Uphold applicable laws, regulations, Trinity Health’s Integrity Program, Standards of Conduct, and organizational policies.
Care for laboring patients, postpartum couplets, and surgical patients, and cross-train to assist in pediatrics during high census.