OB-GYN Nurse Practitioner Job Description, Duties, and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the OB/GYN nurse practitioner job description, including key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.

It also highlights the major requirements you may be expected to fulfill to be hired for the OB/GYN nurse practitioner role by most recruiters/employers.

What Does an OB-GYN Nurse Practitioner Do?

An obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) nurse practitioner focuses on female sexual and reproductive health, pregnancy, and delivery.

Nurse practitioners, or NPs, who specialize in OB/GYN may be independent practitioners in private practice, work with a doctor whose specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, hospital, maternity centers, etc.

The OB-GYN nurse practitioner job description entails delivering of primary health care to women, ranging from young women going through puberty to elderly women in the advanced stages of life.

They render well-woman care including, screening, evaluation, immunizations on preventative care, prenatal management, family planning, fertility, and urogynecology, as well as care for episodic or chronic illnesses and sexually transmitted diseases.

OB/GYN NPs carry out many duties that are principally the same as those of a physician, as advanced practice nurses.

They may diagnose reproductive or pregnancy problems, order diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and perform procedures.

NPs in the field of obstetrics may carry out prenatal care up to the point of delivery, as well as post-natal care after the delivery.

Their work description also involves carrying out complete physical examinations, including ordering, interpreting and appraising diagnostic tests and examinations.

They assume on-going responsibility for each patient from discovery of the disorder to recovery; diagnose and treat both chronic and episodic disorders, including complications of otherwise normal processes.

OB/GYN nurse practitioners establish and document the health care plan and diagnosis, maintain records of each case that are sufficiently complete for any physician reviewing them to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan.

They perform diagnostic functions including assessing and diagnosing acute illnesses and minor injuries and performing physicals examination.

Their role also entails implementing treatment plan and monitoring response for acute and chronic medical conditions.

The obstetrics and gynecology nurse practitioner offer treatment by prescribing medication, performing minor procedures, and coordinating treatment.

They also provide health education, counsel, and guidance regarding treatment provided, and also communicate with patients and significant others.

Obstetrics and gynecology nurses may also perform administrative support duties such as updating patient charts and billing codes, as well as completing required documents from outside agencies.

To work as an OB/GYN nurse practitioner you require a Master’s of Science degree in Nursing. Candidates with nursing background such as nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse specialists must also hold a minimum of MSN degree to work as an OGNP.

They should also undertake trainings in programs with an emphasis on women’s healthcare.

It is also important that they seek advanced certifications to improve and develop their skills in OB/GYN medicine.

They can undertake certification programs in maternal newborn, electronic fetal monitoring, or inpatient obstetric nursing to develop them and help improve on patient care and outcomes.

To be successful and resourceful on the job, it is important that obstetrics and gynecology nurses possess role-based competencies and skills, in addition to education, trainings, and certifications they already have.

They should possess excellent customer service and communication skills, and strong attention to detail. They should be compassionate, kind, and patient focused.

OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner Job Description Example/Sample /Template

The OB/GYN nurse practitioner performs various functions in providing a broad range of health care services to women who require primary healthcare, or may have acute episodic conditions, as well as those seeking health evaluation, preventive care and education or counseling.

The major obligations, tasks, duties, and responsibilities performed by an OB/GYN nurse practitioner are listed in the job description example below:

• Gain patient history and carry out assessment via observation, interview, and examination
• Select and order appropriate diagnostic and health maintenance procedures
• Plan for appropriate follow-up care
• Maintain the privacy and confidentiality of information
• Order, perform, and interpret diagnostic studies
• Expedite the referral of patients to suitable health facilities, agencies, and resources within the community
• Mediate pharmacological interventions
• Carry out preventative health assessments, screening, immunizations, and patient care
• Deliver direct treatment and administration of health conditions via prescriptive authority or referral to other healthcare providers or community resources
• Counsel and educate patients and their families/caregivers concerning preventative health, treatment options, and community resources
• Make reports of health care delivery and nursing processes in accordance with specific specialty area standards and network nursing policy
• Assessment of patient, family, and community health needs
• Participate actively in interview and case finding
• Perform initial interviews, assessment, and preparation of patients
• Expedite medical regimens as recommended by the practitioner
• Assist practitioners with patient care, on and off site
• Maintain quality nursing care, nursing notes and plans
• Perform necessary nursing procedures, i.e., injections
• Provide patient education and counseling
• Provide training and supervision to volunteers, paraprofessionals, and licensed practical nurses
• Coordinate and direct patient flow during clinical sessions
• Coordinate special clinical programs as needed
• Participate and coordinate on and off site screening projects
• Assist with the compilation of health statistics
• Stand as patient advocate and liaison for defense of patients’ rights
• Work as the primary care OB/GYN health care provider in an outpatient setting
• Develop, implement, and evaluate treatment plans on obstetrical and gynecological patients
• Provide physical examinations on patients in accordance with IAW protocols
• Attend OB/GYN meetings and conferences to keep abreast of current trends.

OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner Requirements – Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for a Successful Career

When hiring for the role of an obstetrics and gynecology nurse practitioner, employers commonly require candidates to meet certain requirements that will prove them able to effectively deliver the purpose, objectives, obligations, and responsibilities of the position.

Therefore, if you are seeking to work as OB/GYN nurse in a medical institution, here are major employer requirements you might be expected to meet:

• Education and training: Masters degree in Nursing and graduation from an accredited RN and NP Program
• License: Should hold a current RN License
• Certification: Possess current Nurse Practitioner Certificate, as well as maintain a current national certification from approved organizations (American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, or the National Certification Corporation for Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties)
• BLS Provider credentialed from the American Heart Association (AHA) and Basic CPR (BCLS) Certification
• Professional organization: The primary organization for OB/GYN NPs is the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH)
• Knowledge: They should have strong background in health care policy, clinical reasoning, advanced health assessment and advanced women’s healthcare, among others
• Time and stress management: Hospitals and outpatient clinics are greatly focused on productivity; therefore, it is critical that obstetrics and gynecology nurses possess the ability to manage stress due to the high workload they handle
• Should be compassionate and empathetic
• Customer service skills: they require this skill to render courteous patient support functions
• Detail-orientation: The job role requires OB/GYN nurse practitioners to obtain patient’s medical history and perform assessment via observation, interview, and examination; hence a keen eye for detail will be useful in making appropriate deductions
• Communication skills: They are expected to educate and counsel patients, as well as document and up-date records; therefore, it is important that they possess a clear and concise writing and verbal communication skills
• Be familiar with emergency procedures and protocols
• Be familiar with Clinical policies and programs
• Be familiar with referral procedures and back-up sources
• Be familiar with lab procedures and back-up laboratories.

Conclusion

If you are an employer or recruiter needing to fill the position of obstetrics and gynecology nurse practitioner in your health facility, you will need to publish a detailed description of the job so interested persons can be properly guided on the candidates you are looking for.

Need some ideas in writing a good description for the OB/GYN nurse practitioner job for your organization? If you do, then the sample job description and general information about the duties, tasks, and responsibilities of the role provided in this article will be helpful to you.

Also, if you are interested in becoming an obstetrics and gynecology nurse practitioner and need information about what they do, this post will be useful to you, including showing you the requirements you need to fulfill to gain employment and succeed in the career.

Did this post help you learn more about OB/GYN nurse duties and responsibilities? Please, leave a comment in the box below. Do also discuss your job description if you work as an obstetrics and gynecology nurse practitioner.