Maternal and Child Health Nurse

Job Description

Title:

Maternal and Child Health Nurse

Department:

Secondary Care and Programs

Duty Station:

Neno District

Reports To:

Secondary Care and Programs Director

Second Line Reporting:

Chief Medical Officer

Commitment:

Full-time

Working Hours:

40 hours per week

Role Summary:

The Maternal and Child Health Nurse will provide comprehensive nursing care to women and newborns throughout the antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. This role encompasses direct bedside patient care, patient monitoring, equipment stewardship, and managing emergency obstetric and neonatal care. The nurse will also mentor other nurses, ensure adherence to standards set by the Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi, support Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures, and actively participate in quality improvement initiatives. This position demands strong clinical judgment, technical expertise, and the ability to perform effectively under pressure within inter-professional teams. The role reports directly to the Secondary Care and Programs Director, with secondary reporting to the Chief Medical Officer.

Core Responsibilities (Role-Specific Tasks):

• Deliver evidence-based nursing care to women and newborns, including labor monitoring, vital sign assessment, medication administration, and managing equipment like cardiotocographs and monitors.
• Conduct and meticulously document patient assessments according to the WHO Safe Childbirth Flow Chart.
• Provide and interpret nursing interventions, such as cardiotocograph readings for high-risk pregnancies.
• Support emergency resuscitation efforts for peripartum women and newborns, and participate in rapid response teams.
• Mentor and coach nursing staff, interns, and students in Maternal and Child Health (MCH).
• Uphold infection prevention and control standards, ensuring the safe handling of equipment and consumables.
• Participate actively in ward rounds, multidisciplinary case discussions, and care planning.
• Conduct nursing rounds and nursing-specific case discussions, developing comprehensive nursing care plans.
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation of nursing care, patient progress, and incident reporting.
• Foster a safe, respectful, and therapeutic environment for patients and their families.

Other Strategic Responsibilities:

Operations & Logistics:

• • Ensure the availability and functionality of essential MCH equipment and supplies, including oxygen concentrators, resuscitation stations, emergency trolleys, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• • Promptly report shortages or equipment failures and support follow-up actions.
• • Track and plan preventive maintenance for MCH equipment using innovative methods such as Upkeep software, in collaboration with the biomedical team.

Data Management & Reporting:

• • Maintain up-to-date and accurate nursing documentation in patient charts and registers.
• • Participate in morbidity and mortality reviews, audits, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• • Support the generation and reporting of data from MCH services, utilizing data-driven decisions to enhance the quality of care for critically ill patients.

Capacity Building:

• • Identify nursing gaps in MCH and design capacity-building initiatives for MCH nursing teams.
• • Facilitate Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions on MCH nursing care and patient safety.
• • Support the orientation and professional development of new staff in MCH care units.
• • Educate students and interns on the hands-on management of peripartum women and newborns.

Expected Competencies, Attributes, and Behaviors:

Technical Competencies:

• • Proficiency in maternal and child health care.
• • Competence in bedside evaluations, including Obstetric POCUS and the use of cardiotocographs.
• • Knowledge of Malawi reproductive health care protocols.

Behavioral Competencies:

• • Teamwork and collaboration in high-pressure situations.
• • Dependability and accountability in patient care.
• • Problem-solving and rapid decision-making skills in emergencies.

Personal Attributes:

• • Compassionate, resilient, and patient-centered approach.
• • Committed to continuous professional learning.
• • Ethical, professional, and respectful in all interactions.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and Midwifery, with a postgraduate qualification in Midwifery or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3 years of clinical experience in MCH settings at a postgraduate level.
• Current registration and good standing with the Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi (NMCM).
• Experience in mentorship, CPD facilitation, and nursing leadership is considered an asset.
• Familiarity with DHIS 2 and quality improvement approaches is desirable.

Additional Notes:

• Flexibility to support emergency preparedness and outbreak response is required.
• Willingness to work in rural settings and at non-standard hours.