Key Duties and Responsibilities
Maternal Care
- Provide quality antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal nursing care.
- Monitor the condition of mothers throughout pregnancy, labour, delivery, and the postnatal period.
- Conduct nursing assessments and develop appropriate care plans.
- Identify high-risk pregnancies and promptly escalate cases for medical review.
- Assist in normal deliveries and support emergency obstetric interventions within the scope of practice.
Newborn Care
- Provide immediate newborn assessment and essential newborn care.
- Monitor newborn growth and wellbeing.
- Promote exclusive breastfeeding and educate mothers on newborn care.
- Identify neonatal complications and facilitate timely referrals.
Family Planning and Health Education
- Provide family planning counselling and services.
- Educate mothers and families on maternal nutrition, birth preparedness, breastfeeding, immunization, and postnatal care.
- Promote safe motherhood practices and reproductive health education.
Clinical Care
- Administer prescribed medications and treatments safely.
- Monitor patients' vital signs and document clinical observations accurately.
- Maintain complete and accurate patient records.
- Participate in ward rounds and multidisciplinary patient care.
Infection Prevention and Control
- Adhere to infection prevention and control protocols.
- Maintain a clean and safe clinical environment.
- Ensure proper handling and disposal of medical waste.
- Observe universal precautions at all times.
Emergency Response
- Respond promptly to obstetric and neonatal emergencies.
- Initiate emergency interventions within professional scope.
- Coordinate referrals where specialized care is required.
Quality Assurance
- Ensure compliance with nursing and midwifery standards.
- Participate in clinical audits, quality improvement initiatives, and maternal death reviews where applicable.
- Report incidents and adverse events according to institutional procedures.
Collaboration and Teamwork
- Work collaboratively with doctors, clinical officers, nutritionists, laboratory personnel, and other healthcare providers.
- Participate in departmental meetings, continuous medical education (CME), and staff training.
- Mentor junior staff and nursing students where applicable.
Other Duties
- Participate in outreach maternal and child health activities as assigned.
- Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor that are consistent with the role.
Qualifications and Experience
- Diploma in Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing (KRCHN), Diploma in Nursing (Midwifery), or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
- Minimum of two (2) years' experience in a maternity, labour, and delivery unit or a similar healthcare setting.
- Experience in maternal and newborn care in a busy health facility is preferred.
Statutory and Professional Requirements
- Valid registration with the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK).
- Possession of a valid NCK Practising Licence.
- Valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certification; Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) training is an added advantage.
- Compliance with all Ministry of Health and Nursing Council of Kenya regulations.
Knowledge, Skills and Competencies
- Sound knowledge of maternal, newborn, and reproductive health care.
- Competence in labour monitoring and safe delivery practices.
- Ability to recognize and manage obstetric emergencies within scope of practice.
- Strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Compassionate and patient-centred approach to care.
- Good record-keeping and documentation skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
- Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
- Ability to work independently and under pressure.
- Willingness to work rotating shifts, weekends, public holidays, and respond to emergencies.
Core Competencies
- Integrity and professionalism.
- Compassion and empathy.
- Accountability and reliability.
- Teamwork and collaboration.
- Attention to detail.
- Effective communication.
- Patient-centred service.
- Problem-solving and sound clinical judgement.
- Adaptability and resilience.