Discharge RN, Postpartum/Newborn Nursery, West Penn Hospital

Company :

Allegheny Health Network

Job Description : 

POSTPARTUM & NEWBORN NURSERY: 

West Penn’s Postpartum and Newborn Nursery Unit, also known as Mother/Baby, consists of 33 couplet care rooms, in addition to a 36 bed Level I Nursery staffed by one RN per shift.

WEST PENN HOSPITAL:

West Penn Hospital has Magnet® recognition, private patient rooms, free employee parking and a generous benefit package (for full-time and part-time status employees).

ALLEGHENY HEALTH NETWORK:

At AHN, employees trust working together and place patients at the center of all they do. This 9 Hospital system, a part of Highmark Health, is transforming the future of healthcare by providing highly effective services to customers, patients and communities.  AHN has commitment and dedication to being inclusive, valuing fresh perspectives, and offering the best growth and educational opportunities to employees.

GENERAL OVERVIEW:

The Registered Nurse assesses human responses and plans, implements and evaluates nursing care for individuals or families for whom the nurse is responsible. The Registered Nurse is fully responsible for all actions as a licensed nurse and is accountable to patients for the quality of care delivered.

DISCHARGE RN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Discharge Planning: Develop individualized discharge plans encompassing medication instructions, wound care, follow-up appointments, newborn care education, and community resource referrals.  Key responsibility of the discharge nurse is to conduct comprehensive discharge education classes for new families, covering topics such as newborn care, postpartum recovery, and breastfeeding support.
• Patient and Family Education: Provide clear, concise, and culturally sensitive education regarding postpartum recovery, newborn care (feeding, bathing, diapering, safety), breastfeeding/bottle-feeding techniques, infant safety, postpartum warning signs, and available community resources. Postpartum Warning Signs and When to Contact a Healthcare Provider.
• Individualized Management Strategies for Chronic Hypertension: The discharge nurse will be responsible for providing individualized discharge education and planning for patients with a history of chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, or preeclampsia. This will encompass a comprehensive review of prescribed antihypertensive medications, detailed instruction on home blood pressure monitoring techniques, and scheduling of appropriate follow-up appointments with their healthcare provider to ensure continuity of care.
• Medication Reconciliation: Verify medication orders, explain medication regimens, and ensure the patient understands how to take their medications safely and effectively.
• Coordination of Care: Collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including physicians, lactation consultants, social workers, and home healthcare agencies, to ensure seamless transitions of care.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and complete medical records, documenting assessments, interventions, education provided, and discharge instructions.
• Risk Assessment and Intervention: Identify potential risks to the mother and newborn, such as postpartum depression, hemorrhage, infection, and newborn feeding difficulties, and implement appropriate interventions.
• Professional Development: Participate in continuing education activities to maintain current knowledge and skills in postpartum and newborn care.
• Early Detection of Complications: Identifying potential problems early through follow-up calls allows for timely intervention and reduces the risk of serious complications.
• Daily patient care rounds: This role involves the daily assessment and care of postpartum inpatients through comprehensive rounding.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The registered nurse provides leadership in a professional practice setting.
• Team player who contributes to building the team by helping others succeed through role modeling and mentoring.
• Assigns or delegates tasks based on the needs of the patient and skill level of the RN, LPN or support staff. Assigns duties and lunches for staff when performing charge role.
• Considers maintenance of a safe environment, patient condition, complexity of the int