The Birth Center Lead is a registered nurse who serves as a clinical resource, educator, staffing coordinator, and project lead for the Birth Center. This position maintains an active bedside nursing role while supporting the department's operational and educational needs. They work directly with the Director of Inpatient Services.
The Birth Center Lead assists with department staffing and scheduling, onboarding and competency development for Birth Center staff, and developing cross-training programs that prepare qualified nurses from other areas of the hospital to safely provide care within the Birth Center.
In addition, the Birth Center Lead serves as the Project Coordinator for the Rural Obstetric Sustainability and Workforce Transformation Initiative, coordinating grant-related initiatives, education, implementation activities, data collection, reporting, and collaboration with internal and external partners.
The position promotes safe, high-quality, patient- and family-centered obstetrical and newborn care while helping strengthen the sustainability and readiness of rural obstetric services.
The Birth Center Lead functions as a clinical and operational resource and works collaboratively with the Director of Inpatient Services as well as other nursing leaders. The position assists with day-to-day coordination, staffing, scheduling, education, competency development, and assigned projects but does not independently exercise managerial authority related to hiring, termination, disciplinary action, performance evaluation, or other responsibilities reserved for the Director of Inpatient Services unless specifically delegated.
STANDARD EXPECTATIONS- Promotes a Positive Working Environment
- Conducts oneself in line with organization's mission, vision, values and standards of behavior.
- Consistently demonstrates organizational values and standards of behavior.
- Accepts new responsibilities and challenges with a positive attitude.
- Consistently adheres to organizational policy.
- Assists in improving inter-department processes.
- Communicates Effectively
- Builds relationships and works collaboratively with other staff.
- Provides timely operational updates to supervisor.
- Responds to communications in a timely manner.
- Performs Duties Efficiently and Effectively
- Assists in development of department procedures and competencies and training of staff.
- Functions as the area resource and Subject Matter Expert.
- Acts in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIESClinical Practice and Bedside Care
- Works regularly scheduled bedside shifts within the Birth Center and maintains clinical competency in obstetric and newborn nursing.
- Provides safe, evidence-based nursing care to patients throughout the perinatal continuum within the scope of services provided by the organization.
- Serves as a clinical resource for nursing staff during assigned shifts.
- Supports the recognition and management of obstetric and neonatal emergencies according to organizational policies, established clinical protocols, and provider direction.
- Collaborates with medical staff, anesthesia, ancillary departments, emergency services, and other clinical partners to support coordinated obstetric and newborn care.
- Maintains competency with Birth Center equipment, medications, documentation requirements, policies, and clinical procedures.
Staffing and Scheduling
- Assists nursing leadership with development and maintenance of the Birth Center staffing schedule.
- Monitors current and anticipated staffing needs and coordinates with staff and nursing leadership to address schedule changes, time-off requests, coverage needs, and potential staffing gaps.
- Evaluates staffing patterns, patient volumes, staff competencies, and workforce vulnerabilities and recommends opportunities to improve staffing stability and flexibility.
- Supports the development of a flexible staffing model appropriate for a rural Birth Center.
Staff Education and Professional Development
- Coordinates department-specific orientation, education, and competency activities for Birth Center nurses.
- Assists with onboarding and orientation of newly hired Birth Center staff.
- Maintains and helps develop standardized orientation tools, competency checklists, educational materials, and training plans.
- Identifies education and competency needs through observation, staff feedback, quality data, regulatory requirements, and changes in clinical practice.
- Coordinates continuing education, competency activities, drills, simulations, and professional development opportunities.
- Serves as a clinical mentor and resource for nursing staff.
- Ensures required education, orientation, and competencies are completed and appropriately documented for Birth Center and cross-training staff.
Cross-Training of Nursing Staff
- Develops individualized cross-training plans and coordinates clinical experiences, preceptors, education, simulation, competency validation, and ongoing skills maintenance.
- Helps establish clear expectations regarding the clinical responsibilities and limitations of cross-trained staff.
Rural Obstetric Sustainability and Workforce Transformation Initiative Coordination
- Serves as the primary operational/project coordinator for the organization's Rural Obstetric Sustainability and Workforce Transformation Initiative activities.
- Develops and maintains project work plans, timelines, milestones, deliverables, and implementation schedules.
- Coordinates meetings and communication with internal stakeholders, community partners, grant partners, and other participating organizations.
- Coordinates education, simulation, workforce development, equipment implementation, or other activities supported by the grant.
- Collects and organizes required program data and assists with evaluation of project outcomes.
- Tracks grant activities, timelines, deliverables, outcomes, and required documentation and assists leadership and finance with program reporting.
- Identifies barriers to project implementation and works collaboratively with leadership and project partners to develop solutions.
- Provides regular updates to organizational leadership regarding project progress, accomplishments, risks, barriers, and outstanding deliverables.
- Supports development of strategies to sustain successful grant-funded programs and improvements after the grant period ends.
Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
- Participates in Birth Center quality and patient safety initiatives by reviewing clinical processes, outcomes, and trends and collaborating with leadership to implement education and process improvements.
- Supports implementation and standardization of evidence-based obstetric and newborn practices across the department.
- Assists with development and revision of department policies, procedures, guidelines, and competency standards.
Leadership and Collaboration
- Functions as a positive clinical leader and role model for Birth Center staff.
- Promotes a culture of patient safety, psychological safety, teamwork, respectful communication, accountability, continuous learning, and patient- and family-centered care.
- Serves as a liaison between Birth Center staff and nursing leadership regarding operational, educational, and clinical needs.
- Facilitates communication among departments involved in obstetric and newborn care.
- Participates in committees, meetings, workgroups, and initiatives related to maternal-child health as assigned.
- Supports organizational initiatives designed to maintain and strengthen access to high-quality obstetric services in the rural community.
QUALIFICATIONSRequired
- Licensed as an RN in the State of Washington at the time of application.
- Education
- Minimum of 3 years of recent obstetric nursing experience required.
- BLS certified within 30 days of hire and maintained while employed.
- ACLS, PALS, NRP, and STABLE within three (3) months of hire and maintained while employed.
- AWHONN Fetal Monitoring certified at time of hire
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
Preferred
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
- Previous Charge Nurse or Supervisor Experience
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDSThis position is primarily worked in a clinical and office environment. This may include irregular working hours including weekends and on-call responsibilities. Travel to off-site locations for meetings, education and training may be required. The position will frequently require walking, lifting, reaching carrying, kneeling, bending, stooping, pushing and pulling of objects weighing up to 20lbs. The position will occasionally require the ability to lift, and carry, up to 50 pounds and push or pull over 50 pounds, as well as require bending, twisting, squatting, reaching, reaching overhead, sitting and standing frequently. Occasionally the position requires climbing, kneeling and crawling. The position requires continuous finger dexterity and fine manipulation. All basic life functions such as hearing, seeing, speaking, standing and walking are required.
The employee must demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
POSITION DETAILSHours per week:
0
Employee Status:
Regular Full Time
Shift:
Day Shift (United States of America)
Pay Range:
$42.00 - $72.00
Actual pay offered will vary based on years of experience.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITSOur benefit package includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement options (403(b) & 457). Medical insurance coverage begins on day one and is available to both full time and part time employees. Additionally, employees receive discounts on medical services provided by Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics. Differentials apply for evening, night, and weekend shifts. Our unique PTO plan enables employees to increase their accrual with each year of service!
