The Maternity Nurse is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of Maternal and Neonatal Care in the maternity unit within IRC-supported health facilities. S/he will work closely with other maternity staff, including Doctors, Nurses, Clinical Officers, and Auxiliary nurses, and by proxy with the theatre staff, to ensure quality of care for patients and babies admitted to the unit. The role aims to promote quality of care for Gynecological and/or Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC) patients in the IRC-supported health facilities.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Maternal and Perinatal Care: Offer high-quality nursing care during admissions in maternity, hospital stays, and discharging mothers and newborns. Conduct daily assessments of general/clinical conditions, identify early complications, exercise sound clinical judgment, call for help, and communicate promptly while stabilizing the mother/newborn. Assess readiness for discharge and prepare documentation.
Antenatal Care: Conduct regular check-ups, monitor maternal and fetal vital signs, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and provide health education on nutrition and birth preparedness.
Labor and Delivery Management: Monitor labor progress using a partograph/labor care guide, provide physical and emotional support, administer prescribed medications (e.g., antibiotics, uterotonics, analgesics), conduct normal vaginal deliveries, perform Active Management of Third Stage of Labor (AMTSL), participate in the multidisciplinary team (MDT) conducting difficult deliveries (breech, rare assisted vaginal deliveries - AVDs), and perform neonatal resuscitation.
Postnatal Care: Monitor mothers for signs of complications (e.g., hemorrhage, infection), assess uterine involution and lochia, assist with early ambulation, and educate mothers on breastfeeding, perineal care, and postpartum family planning.
Emergency Response: Ensure early identification of obstetric and neonatal complications, institute timely and appropriate interventions, and escalate care to medical officers.
Referral: Process patient referral documents, prepare equipment and medication for transit, and accompany patients during referrals within hospital departments or during external movement to another healthcare facility.
Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate and complete clinical records, patient charts, and reports in the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system, including Ministry of Health (MoH) reports, complying with healthcare regulations. Use shared data for decision-making.
Continuous Quality Improvement and Safety: Execute the nursing care model and utilize results with a multidisciplinary team to improve patient management. Adhere to infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, participate in Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) audits, support quality improvement activities, provide respectful maternity care, and ensure a safe clinical environment.
Skills and Competencies
Clinical Acumen: Excellent clinical skills and knowledge (Certificate in EmONC training).
Communication: Clear verbal and written communication. Use of SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) during handover/referral.
Leadership and Management: Able to cover calls, hospital covering, perform doctor's rounds, manage the ward, lead teams, and make sound judgments in patient care and staff management. Attend meetings, CMEs, and trainings.
Accountability: Clean and clear up after every procedure. Process equipment and instruments per national guidelines. Maintain equipment inventory and safety, including ensuring a functional emergency crash cart on every shift.
Emergency Preparedness: Ensure emergency trays and equipment inventory are updated daily in maternity through structured shift handovers.
Reporting and Operations
Compile daily nursing care activity reports during shift handovers.
Accurately keep records, order, and account for equipment and supplies.
Attend ward meetings, monthly hospital meetings, or facilitate Continuous Medical Education (CME).
Document all admissions, discharges, transfers, and deaths, and participate in respective mortality audits.
