Duties of a labor and delivery nurse

 Labor room nurses have the ability to operate machines and interpret crucial
readings using various devices for fetal monitoring.
 These health care professionals also perform a through physical assessment of the
pregnant mother within each stages of labor and report any significant changes to
the attending physician or the head nurse.
 They also work as a phlebotomy by starting an IV line and other central line and
must possess good skills in critical analysis as they mostly deal in life threatening
events and situations and should therefore react in a fast-paced manner to help
preserve the life of both the mother and baby.
 Labor and delivery nurses must possess adequate knowledge on hemodynamic are
responsible in monitoring circulation and blood flow of the mother and the baby on
a routine basis during the childbirth process.

GHR Job Description

Position: Labor & Delivery Nurse

This position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of
work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or
be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and
qualifications which may be required of the employee assigned to the position.
Depending on the size of the facility the job duties may vary. Receipt of the job
description does not imply nor create a promise of employment, nor an employment
contract of any kind; my employment with the Company is at-will.

Position Summary
Nurses care for people who are sick, injured, convalescent or disabled. Under general
supervision, they deliver care to patients utilizing the nursing process of assessment,
planning, intervention, implementation, and evaluation, in accordance with established
philosophy. Nurses collaborate with other professional disciplines to ensure effective
patient care delivery and achievement of desired patient outcomes. Nurses effectively
interact with patient and significant others, while maintaining the standard of
professional nursing. The nature of the direction and supervision required for this
position varies by State and job setting. Labor & Delivery Nurses (L/D Nurses), also
called perinatal nurses, provide care and support for women before, during and after
delivery of the baby. They are responsible for making sure that the medical as well as the
emotional needs of the patient are adequately met throughout the entire birthing
process.

Position Responsibilities
L/D Nurses provide direct and individualized nursing care to patients based on the
application of scientific nursing principles. In addition to general nursing care,
responsibilities of L/D Nurses include (but are not limited to):
 ƒ Sits with and monitors patient throughout (before/during/after) the labor
 ƒ Monitors contractions and helps patient with breathing techniques
 ƒ Performs basic IV and central line skills
 ƒ Performs phlebotomy skills
 ƒ Knowledge of hemodynamics
 ƒ Administers pain medication as ordered; administers other meds to address
specific medical conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes
 ƒ Takes and records patient’s vital signs, ascertains if problematic
 ƒ Reads fetal monitor & ascertains if there is a problem with baby’s heart rate
 ƒ Identifies & manages life-sustaining physiological functions in unstable
Patients.
 ƒ Checks patient’s cervix periodically to monitor progression/lack of dilation
 ƒ Ensures patient’s bed is kept dry & clean; cleans up bodily fluids expelled
before & after the birthing process
 ƒ Contacts anesthesia when/if patient is ready for epidural; contacts delivering
physician at appropriate time, ascertains proper time
 ƒ Cares for patients on Pitocin, MgSO4 & continuous lumbar epidural
 ƒ Ensures patient is in proper position for delivery & all monitoring equipment
is functioning properly.
 Aids doctor with drapes, gloves, gowns, etc.; hands doctor delivery
instruments as needed during birthing process
 ƒ Encourages patient to push at proper time(s)
 ƒ Records time of birth
 ƒ Immediate care of newborn (clean, weigh, etc.)
 ƒ Gives Apgar scores
 ƒ Keeps any family informed of progression of birth
 ƒ Performs other position-related duties as assigned, depending on assignment
setting.

Other Responsibilities
 ƒ Completes required orientation as directed by facility
 ƒ Follows facility and OSHA safety rules and procedures while on assignment
 ƒ Follows facility and GHR Unusual Occurrence Protocol
 ƒ Respects cultural and religious practices of patients
 ƒ Upholds HIPAA regulations
 ƒ Punctual and dependent for assigned/confirmed shifts

Position Requirements
 ƒ Graduate of an accredited nursing program
 ƒ Current nursing license, in good standing with the State licensing board
 ƒ Minimum of one (1) year Labor & Delivery (L/D) experience
 ƒ Federal-, State- and GHR-required credentials current and on file
 ƒ Cognitive skills as related to the position
Labor and Delivery Nurse Skills and Expertise {Below is a list of several skills
and responsibilities of labor and delivery nurse. Remember to remove any that do not fit
your specific role}:

 Required to possess advanced nursing skills.

 Preferred to possess at l east a Bachelor in Nursing Sciences Degree
 Must be able to help support the mother during childbirth or labor
procedure.
 Required to monitor the baby’s heart rate and the mother’s health
 Must be familiar with measurement of contractions before childbirth
regarding strength and time.
 Assist the doctor to administer specific medication for the mother as
well as assist in conducting a diagnosis.
 Must be able to work as a team with physicians and the care team.
 Assist in the labor room with inducing childbirth. In fact, the Labor
and Delivery Room Nurse is required and needed to coach the mother
during the childbirth process.
 Assist the doctor with labor surgeries if required, especially Cesarean
sections.
 To assist with performing diagnosis on newborns and moni toring the
progress of newborns.
 Must be able to educate and assist mothers and their families about
newborn care and related topics.
 Ability to work in a stressful and fast -paced hospital environment.
 Possess excellent communication skills, verbally and w ritten as well as
a pleasant personality.