Image Courtesy of Canva
Many nursing students aspire to pursue a career of obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN) nursing. As the responsibility which comes with this role is huge, the nursing students aspire to contribute to better health outcomes of newly born babies and their mothers. Additionally, helping both parents and babies is incredibly rewarding. The overall growth of OB/GYN practices depends on the role of how Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs) empower providers to improve the health of babies and mothers.
What Is an OB/GYN Nurse Assistant?
Image Courtesy of Canva
OB/GYN Nurse Assistants are healthcare professionals who provide support to the obstetricians, midwives, and gynecologists to manage pregnancy and delivery. They assist in the care of women who are pregnant or who have reproductive health issues.
The role of an OB/GYN CNA is to assist the nursing staff in providing care to the patients. This may include taking patient histories, performing physical examinations, collecting and preparing specimens for laboratory testing, and assisting with various medical procedures. OB/GYN Nurse Assistants also provide emotional support and education to patients and their families about health and medical conditions.
OB/GYN Nurse Aides work in hospitals, independent practices, clinics, and birthing centers. They work with patients of all ages and background, and their duties may vary depending on the specific needs of the patient and the healthcare facility where they work. Wherever they work, it is a crucial role they play on the healthcare team. The role of OB/GYN Nurse Aides is to help physicians to ensure better health outcomes of mother and baby.
OB/GYN Nurse Aids educate patients about their health conditions and keep an eye on the prescribed medications. Nurses make sure that new born babies take a healthy start in this world.
Key Responsibilities of a CNA in an OB/GYN Setting
Day-to-Day Tasks
The routine tasks involve taking vitals and making sure that patients are comfortable in the clinic or hospital. There are some clerical tasks that CNAs need to perform in the clinic such as logging patient information. CNAs in a OB/GYN setting clean the patients, assist providers and may sometimes need to lift the patients to help them move.
Image Courtesy of Canva
Assist Providers in Medical Procedures
One of the primary responsibilities of an OB/GYN Nurse Aide is to help patients feel comfortable and safe during medical procedures. This may involve explaining the procedure to the patient, helping them get into the correct positions, and providing emotional support during the procedure. Also, healthcare providers must be provided the right surgical materials while performing delicate procedures. CNAs hand over the required materials in a medical procedure to the providers. OB/GYN Nurse Assistants may also assist with various medical procedures such a pap smears, breast exams, and pelvic exams.
Manage Emergency Conditions
Working in an OB/GYN setting is challenging and the conditions can change anytime. So, CNAs are required to work under stress and make the patient comfortable in difficult situations. For instance, CNAs need to carefully support an emergency C-section with physicians. Handling emergency situations with strong nerves is essential for OB/GYN Nursing Assistants.
Patient Communication
Another important aspect of the OB/GYN Nurse Assistant’s role is patient education. They may provide patients with information about their medical conditions, treatment options, and self-care techniques. They may also provide patients with information about contraception, pregnancy, and childbirth.
Other tasks include:
Image Courtesy of Canva
· Actively respond to patients’ signals
· Provide emotional support to the patients
· Offer physical support for patient
· Note clinical information of patients
· Document complaints or anything specific patient feels
· Keep appropriate hand hygiene
· Maintain supportive attitude towards patients
· Strive to improve the overall patient experience
Steps to Becoming an OB/GYN Nurse Assistant
To become an OB/GYN Nurse Assistant, individuals typically need to complete a nursing assistant training program and obtain state certification from their state’s nursing board. Some states may also require OB/GYN Nurse Assistants to hold additional certifications, such as phlebotomy or CPR certification.
Gain Maximum Experience in an OB/GYN Specialty
After graduating from a CNA course, Nurse Aides can apply for various jobs in different OB/GYN settings, like outpatient clinics, hospitals, and independent practices. Working in this environment helps OB/GYN CNAs to gain on-the-job training and exposure to the particular challenges of women’s health.
Earn an OB/GYN Certification for Nursing Aides
Image Courtesy of Canva
Becoming a certified OB/GYN CNA is a good option and can help Nursing Assistants get jobs in a competitive work environment as well as earn promotions. CNAs can get NCC credential in inpatient obstetric nursing (RNC-OB) offered by the National Certification Corporation to get better opportunities in the OB/GYN field. Obtaining this certification requires professional experience in OB/GYN nursing in the last two years. This eligibility criteria must be there to apply for this certification. There are also opportunities with nonprofits such as the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
The Takeaway
In summary, OB/GYN Nurse Assistants play a critical role in the healthcare team, providing support to nurses and physicians in caring for women who are pregnant or who have reproductive health issues. Their responsibilities may include performing physical exams, assisting with medical procedures, providing emotional support to patients, and educating patients about their medical conditions and treatment options.
Getting an OB/GYN nursing education helps CNAs begin their medical career. There are many employment opportunities as in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. If you are interested in pursuing a career as an OB/GYN Nurse Assistant, consider completing a nursing assistant training program and obtaining certification from your state’s nursing board. You can use our Free CNA School Search tool to find CNA courses online and in-person by searching for your zip code.
Guest Article Bio: Isaac Smith is a highly accomplished healthcare professional with over 13 years of experience in healthcare administration, medical billing, and coding and compliance. He holds several AAPC specialty certifications and has a bachelor’s in health administration. He worked previously at a large behavioral or drugs rehab billing center and now works for Medcare Mso in the OB/Gyn RCM department to write articles about medical billing and coding. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience as a certified PMCC instructor.