CNA in Labor and Delivery?

tntrn, ASN, RN · Nov 22, 2011

Our birth center unit is small, but we never use CNA's in the Labor and delivery area. Once in the great while, if census is very high, we'll get a CNA for our post partums and surgical patients, but they would never be doing anything but Vital signs on the moms, and nothing with the babies. They would be primarily working with gyn surgery patients.

yousoldtheworld · Nov 22, 2011

In labor and delivery, not so much. THey aren't there that long, and there wouldn't be much for an aide to do. Some postpartum floors have aides/techs, though not all do. Varies by hospital. When I worked at the hospital I occasionally floated to the postpartum floor, though my work there was mostly taking vital signs and running errands for the mothers.

cmm4ever · Nov 23, 2011

I was just about to ask the same thing. Well I know that where I work they have them in maternity..and I would assume pediatrics. Not sure about Labor and Delivery though. I graduated from a medical assistant program. Was a nursing assistant at a local hospital then bid on job there and now am an unit clerk on a mainly stroke/vent floor. I was also interested to see about working in maternity or something similar. I was trying to search other posts on the website about the topic but, I am having trouble. Actually when I accepted the job I have now..I was called about a job as a na...and since I was just offered this job, I didnt even really know who was calling (but I think it was for maternity part time). The job I have now is part time but more money. Thats the bad thing also stressful. I need full time, but the pay would drop. I mean Im really not sure how to go about picking up hours throughout the hospital as a na since I have 2 job codes. I would feel weird just going to maternity etc and asking. They should have a needs list though. I would get payed my current rate of pay I make now even if I picked up a day as a na in maternity etc. Its just your not guaranteed there will be anything. I was only a na for few months so I wouldnt be fresh in skills...Im not sure how different working in maternity (or something similar would be).

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2011

In the hospital I used to work at had CNAs in the post partum floor but never on labor and delivery. They had the OB Tech on the labor floor and the CNAs were on post partum. But not all hospitals are like that. Remember that most hospitals are going primary care due that it's cost effective but not patient friendly.

cmm4ever · Nov 23, 2011

In the hospital I used to work at had CNAs in the post partum floor but never on labor and delivery. They had the OB Tech on the labor floor and the CNAs were on post partum. But not all hospitals are like that. Remember that most hospitals are going primary care due that it's cost effective but not patient friendly.

What does an OB Tech do?

tntrn, ASN, RN · Nov 23, 2011

Our OB techs set up our delivery tables, and tear them down again after a delivery, help remove the trash and contaminated materials from the room. They also are our scrub techs for c/sections.

Once in a while, we will ask them to help us with a vag delivered mom, getting her up to the shower and stripping the bed, washing it and putting on new linen. Most times, however, WE, the RNS', do all of that.

The techs do most of our stocking.

tntrn, ASN, RN · Nov 23, 2011

Maybe we should ask you what you think a CNA's job would be in Labor and Delivery?

soxgirl2008 · Nov 23, 2011

Our L&D unit used to have CNAs, but now they're switching over to surgical techs instead so you have to have a 2 year degree. Just to warn you, even though there are CNA jobs out there in L&D they are very very competitive as many L&D units don't use that many CNAs

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2011

There really isn't a need for CNAS in L & D. There is a need for them in postpartum but I haven't seen them in many postpartum units. If you want to work as an OB Tech then go for the surgical technician program. It is cheaper to hire them than LVNs or RNs to scrub.

cmm4ever · Nov 23, 2011

Our OB techs set up our delivery tables, and tear them down again after a delivery, help remove the trash and contaminated materials from the room. They also are our scrub techs for c/sections.
Once in a while, we will ask them to help us with a vag delivered mom, getting her up to the shower and stripping the bed, washing it and putting on new linen. Most times, however, WE, the RNS', do all of that.
The techs do most of our stocking.

Hmmm yeah I dont know if all hospitals use OB Techs? Sounds like a Surg tech but not sure? Do you know if you have to have a certification? I have a Medical Assistant degree, but I dont think that would help me? I never saw an ad that said OB tech on my work sites website

tntrn, ASN, RN · Nov 23, 2011

Hmmm yeah I dont know if all hospitals use OB Techs? Sounds like a Surg tech but not sure? Do you know if you have to have a certification? I have a Medical Assistant degree, but I dont think that would help me? I never saw an ad that said OB tech on my work sites website

I am sure they are surg techs, but because they work only for us, we call them OB techs.