SUMMARY OF POSITION:
Functions as a liaison between the obstetricians and their patients, providing professional obstetrical nursing care via direct and/or telephone contact according to established standards and practices.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Serves as the initial contact person to the patient by providing information about the department, its physicians/CNMs, and affiliated hospitals. Provides patient education related to diet and exercise, as well as general pregnancy related information including routine laboratory and radiological testing and the implications of cigarettes, alcohol, and drug use in pregnancy as directed by the physician/CNM. Discusses genetic testing options and indications including Prenatal and carrier screening.

Performs initial patient intake including Patient Registration and Prenatal Screening Questionnaire. Discusses indications of initial blood workup including Obstetrical Panel, HIV, TSH, and CF, as well as First Trimester Screening, NT Scans, Quad Screens, Amniocentesis (as indicated), Anatomy Scan, GTT, and Group B Beta Strep Culture per established departmental protocol.

Schedules NOB visits as necessary and collaborates with genetic counselor as needed. Reviews Laboratory and Radiology results that are reported to MD and collaborates with physicians to coordinate follow-up as directed.

Performs telephone triage OB related calls per department protocol and follows up on missed appointments. Collaborates with patients to discuss labor plans/birth plans and hospital process/admission.

Performs NSTs as needed for clinical support or due to staffing reasons.

Acts as a clinical resource for OB/GYN Department staff members, including staff development in-services as specified by the OB/GYN Patient Care Manager.

Attends weekly departmental meetings as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduate of an accredited school of nursing, BSN preferred. New York State Registered Nurse with current BLS certification. Minimum of 3-5 years experience as a registered nurse in labor and delivery, but not limited to, with recent pertinent professional experience in obstetrics. Record of prior stable employment and/or favorable references.

I. PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

A. Clinical Knowledge and Skills
1. Strong clinical knowledge base of Labor and Delivery room with 3-5 years of experience preferred. Demonstrates clinical competence in the direct care of patients/significant others in established area of practice, considering developmental differences among patients.
2. Demonstrates basic knowledge of common disease processes and treatments, including pertinent diagnostic/laboratory testing and medical/nursing interventions.
3. Collaborates with patients/significant others and other members of the health-care team to establish goals and priorities to meet patients' immediate and future needs.
4. Performs telephone triage with particular emphasis on assessment, problem/priority identification, and decision-making.
5. Demonstrates knowledge, skills, and technical ability in medication/treatment administration. Administers prescribed medications correctly, with knowledge of proper dosage, route, site, and possible side effects.
6. Provides accurate up-to-date clinical information to patients consistent with Nursing's scope of practice and accepted CMM practice standards, policies, and protocols.
7. Uses the nursing process for problem-solving/decision-making. Performs authorized technical procedures competently (e.g. NST, EKG, phlebotomy, starting/monitoring IVs, selected laboratory tests, etc.) as may be required in clinical practice area.
8. Demonstrates clinical competence when assisting MD/CNM with procedures.
9. Seeks validation/guidance from physician and nurse colleagues when necessary.
10. Functions effectively with other health-care providers during emergency situations.
11. Understands and practices universal precautions correctly and consistently and complies with all applicable OSHA guidelines.
12. Ensures that all clinical equipment is maintained in clean, working order.

B. Communication
1. Maintains open lines of communication with physicians and other CMM personnel within and between departments-even during periods of heightened stress.
2. Maintains open lines of communication with non-CMM physicians, pharmacies, and other community agencies and services.
3. Notifies patients/significant others and/or reception staff promptly of unanticipated physician/CNM delays or scheduling changes.
4. Provides reassurance to patients who are upset and/or in need of assistance or additional information.
5. Directs and coordinates the work of LPNs, medical assistants, and other assistive personnel to meet identified patient care needs.
6. Maintains confidentiality of all information obtained from patient records and conversations with patients/significant others, physicians, and other CMM personnel.
7. Answers telephone promptly (within three rings) and courteously, identifying self by name and department (and/or physician's office by physician's name, if appropriate).
8. Uses discretion and sensitivity during all phone conversations.
9. Uses a non-judgmental approach when talking with patients and coworkers.
10. Effectively and efficiently triages patient phone calls and schedules same-day (work-in) appointments as per departmental or individual physician guidelines.
11. Transfers telephone calls only when necessary and as per CMM policy.
12. Assists patients with referrals and pre-certifications as needed for managed care insurance plans with which CMM participates.
13. Offers clinical advice to CMM patients according to departmental protocols, individual physician/CNM instructions, and/or accepted nursing practice.
14. Uses available electronic mail/computer systems to communicate inter- and intra-departmentally as per departmental and/or CMM protocol(s).

C. Teaching/Education of Patients/Significant Others
1. Uses clinical knowledge and skills to teach patients/significant others effectively (e.g. via written information, face-to-face communication, and/or phone communication).
2. Integrates patient and family education, including health promotion/wellness, into the delivery of care.
3. Continuously evaluates the results of patient education and modifies the teaching plan based on patient outcomes.
4. Suggests and/or facilitates referrals (e.g. to Department of Social Services, dietitian, hospice, etc.) as applicable.
5. Designs and implements educational activities that are culturally appropriate (and consistent with individual physicians' practice) and are tailored to the patient's/significant other's ability to comprehend and participate.
6. Participates in the development of patient teaching tools/programs for assigned department.

D. Organizational Skills
1. Work area reflects neat and organized work habits.
2. Addresses all patient requests/concerns before end of shift (or notifies patient/significant others of additional time needed to complete request).
3. Sets priorities effectively to ensure timely completion of assigned work.
4. Requests assistance as appropriate in order to complete assigned work and offers to assist others when workload permits.
5. Prepares and leaves complete, concise messages/instructions for others as needed.
6. Notifies patients of amount of time needed to address or answer their requests or questions. Completes such requests as promptly as possible and/or notifies patient/significant others of anticipated (or unanticipated) delays.
7. Uses time, supplies, and human resources effectively and efficiently.

E. Documentation
1. Takes complete messages for all telephone calls, including but not limited to correctly spelled full name and current telephone number(s) of caller, date, time, and reason for the call. Signs full surname on all messages.
2. Documents in medical record all pertinent clinical observations, medications, immunizations, and treatments given, etc.
3. Maintains legible log of all telephone calls received, including but not limited to date and approximate time of call, full name, date of birth (if applicable), and telephone number of caller, as well as reason for call.
4. Documents pertinent telephone calls and significant nurse-patient interactions in patients' medical records, including but not limited to nursing advice or information provided to patients, guardians, and/or significant others (on behalf of the patient), medical advice or information provided to patients as directed by physician/CNM, communication with pharmacies, managed care companies, etc.
5. Records the full surname of physician/CNM in medical record when documenting information or advice as directed by that physician/CNM.
6. Signs all entries in medical records according to CMM policy.

F. Leadership
1. Demonstrates effective problem-solving skills, particularly when urgent/emergent or unexpected clinical or administrative events arise in order to maintain both the smooth functioning of the department and patient/personnel safety.
2. Serves as a catalyst for improving standards of nursing practice.
3. Demonstrates leadership skills through the ability to set and attain goals.
4. Serves as an effective role model for professional conduct and professional practice (e.g. maintaining composure during times of increased stress).
5. Provides direction and support and delegates tasks to professional and non-professional staff.
6. Serves as an effective preceptor to new staff as needed.
7. Effectively performs the duties of charge nurses as needed.
8. Actively participates in departmental staff meetings.

G. Professionalism
1. Demonstrates self-direction, accountability, sound judgment, and ethical behavior in all activities.
2. Demonstrates patient advocacy.
3. Maintains a commitment to the spirit of inquiry as evidenced by a clinical knowledge base that remains current and reflects understanding of relevant clinical research findings.
4. Participates in professional conferences, workshops, continuing education programs, and/or pertinent professional organizations (e.g. American Association of Office Nurses, American Nurses Association/New York State Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau, American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners [NAPNAP], etc.).
5. Reads current, clinically applicable professional journals.
6. Attends mandatory conferences/in-services in order to maintain (active) NYS registration, in good standing with the New York State Education Department.

H. Other Specific Responsibilities/Duties
1. Works with IT and team for template development and implementation.
2. Works with physicians for changing Genetic testing, response, and processing abnormal result, including reflexive results.
3. Works with Hospital Liaison for care coordination of acute cases and/or needs.
4. Must have strong clinical OB care background.
5. Must have NST skills and be able to read testing for abnormal tracing, rate, or activity.

II. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL NURSING DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES

A. Arrives to work on time or notifies Patient Care Manager or designee as soon as employee becomes aware that s/he will be absent or tardy, and/or as per individual department protocol.

B. Maintains an acceptable attendance record as per CMM policies and procedures.

C. Notifies Patient Care Manager or designee whenever leaving CMM premises during scheduled work hours.

D. Attends all mandatory CMM programs and in-services.

E. Dresses according to CMM dress code.

F. Assumes responsibility for reading, understanding, and complying with information contained in the current CMM Department of Employee Orientation Manual, CMM Administrative Policy & Procedure Manual, and/or the Department of Nursing Clinical and/or Administrative Policy & Procedure Manuals, as applicable.

G. Maintains patient confidentiality under all circumstances, and follows all CMM confidentiality policies.

H. Assists Patient Care Manager and/or Director Patients Care Service Manager or designee when possible by taking on alternate assignments or other responsibilities, working additional hours, or altering regularly scheduled hours, when necessary, for the efficient operation of CMM.