About MedStar Georgetown University Hospital’s Labor & Delivery Unit - 3 North

MedStar Georgetown's Perinatal Department consists of a Labor & Delivery (Delivery Room)/Inpatient Antepartum Suite (3 North), along with a Mother-Baby Couplet Postpartum Unit (3 East). Perinatal nurses assess the mother and neonate in a family-centered, holistic environment that supports the new family during this time of changing needs. MedStar Georgetown is a regional referral center for high-risk mothers and infants, and we enjoy a supportive and cooperative relationship with our outstanding Level IV NICU to provide excellent continuity of care for these families. Perinatal nurses collaborate with parenting services, antepartum/postpartum patient educators and lactation specialists to provide comprehensive patient and family education. Our diverse patient population includes both medically complex and uncomplicated patients.
Perinatal nurses are encouraged to attend a wide variety of educational opportunities, including AWHONN regional and national conferences. Nurses enjoy participating in collaborative governance at the unit and hospital level and take advantage of self-scheduling. We boast excellent nurse-to-patient ratios and use computerized documentation systems. Recent awards received by the staff include the Daisy award and several nurses have been recognized as Sigma Theta Tau's 100 Outstanding Nurses of Washington, DC.

Benefits:

• Competitive salaries plus differentials
• 20 Days of Paid Time Off per year plus personal time/holidays
• Education/Tuition assistance
• Relocation reimbursement
• Generous Total Rewards Benefits Package
• Matched Retirement Savings Plan
• Specialized training opportunities with one-on-one preceptorship
• Nationally renowned Nursing Wellbeing Program

Position Summary

Professional care provider who assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates the nursing care of patients from admission through discharge. In collaboration with the patient and family, provides theory-based professional nursing care and coordinates care delivery with various members of the interdisciplinary team.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited nursing program preferred. Associates degree from an accredited School of nursing required. BSN enrollment required within 6 months of start date and completion within 3 years.

Experience: 1 year of RN experience required.

License/Certifications: DC Registered Nurse License required; CPR (Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation) required. C-EFM – Electronic Fetal Monitoring from the National Certification Corporation (NCC) is required for Perinatal nurses (labor and delivery, antepartum, antenatal testing) within 12 months from date of hire. New graduate nurses or new to specialty nurses (labor and delivery, antepartum, antenatal testing) will have 15 months from date of hire to obtain the EFM certification.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Basic math skills. Verbal and written communication skills. Basic computer skills required.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality standards, safety standards, and MedStar SPIRIT Values. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.
2. Collects and analyzes significant patient’s information that pertains to physical, psychological, socio-cultural, economic, spiritual, and life-style behaviors and efficiently leveraging available technology.
3. Functions autonomously providing relationship-based care that promotes continuous, consistent, efficient and accountable delivery of nursing care using the nursing process with a favorable focus on patient experience.
4. Identifies current and potential complex problems of specific patient populations, critically analyzes trends and changes in patient status, and plans appropriate interventions.
5. Incorporates evidence-based practice and research into patient care delivery, with a focus on quality and safety.
6. Serves as a patient advocate by independently communicating clinical concerns, including ethical decisions, in a timely manner to other members of the interdisciplinary team.
7. Practices within legal boundaries of nurse practice act and possesses a theoretical understanding of the universal ethical principles. Recognizes ethical discourse in practice and may seek other resources in advocacy for support and counsel.
8. Individualizes patients plan of care, focusing on short and long-range goals and effectively uses a variety of teaching resources to meet the learning needs of patients and families.
9. Communicates patient information clearly and accurately in verbal and written format.
   Maintains a safe and therapeutic environment. Identifies actual and potential patient safety issues and acts accordingly while incorporating HRO quality and safety principles.
10. Demonstrates effective leadership behaviors. Establishes priorities and delegates tasks to peers and ancillary staff as appropriate to scope of practice and unit requirements.
11. Effectively uses problem identification and resolution skills, focusing on the clinical scenario to resolve the apparent concern. Follows the chain of command by consulting with other healthcare professionals and seeks assistance as needed.
12. Independently communicates concerns in a timely manner and makes suggestions to members of the interdisciplinary team by seeking and using resources effectively.
13. Evaluates the patient's response to treatment and progress toward short and long-range goals and revises nursing interventions as appropriate.
14. Identifies patient and family needs prior to discharge. Initiates and monitors discharge planning activities in collaboration with other members of the interdisciplinary team.
15. Independently identifies resources and strategies to enhance professional growth and development and commits to lifelong learning.
16. Supports and contributes to the unit, department, entity, and organizational goals inclusive of the mission, vision, and values.
17. Participates in meetings and on committees and represents the department and hospital in community outreach efforts.
18. Participates in multi-disciplinary quality and service improvement teams.