PCA/tech OB

ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2016

They don't get neonate vitals, only the nurses do, but they do draw the PKU/Bilis if we are busy.

And I don't view it as giving up my scope of practice to the techs. Like I said they are there to help me out. I do most of that stuff myself, but if I have a busy assignment in PP and am caught up taking care of a fresh section, helping a primip with breastfeeding issues, etc, it is nice to ask the tech if she can grab a sugar on a baby or draw the PKU. They are properly trained and tested for competency on all the tasks they are allowed to perform. They aren't allowed to do the CCHD screening, car seat tests, vitals, assessments, meds, teaching, etc, so there is still plenty that only I can do, but the little that they can do is really helpful to me.

And in labor, I barely see the tech except for after delivery when they are collecting the placenta and gasses to run to the lab, or if we go to the OR because they are scrubbing. It is still nice to have them there, especially as a runner in an emergency when I can't leave my patient alone.

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 6, 2016

I LOVED doing PKUs. I miss that. My circles were things of beauty.

ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2016

Ohh yeah, getting a perfect circle is so satisfying!

Graduation2016 · Jan 15, 2016

I have been an OB Scrub Tech for 4.5 years. On L&D we don't have OB Techs, we have to have a valid CNA license, NRP, and most importantly we have to be scrub techs because we are the ones who scrub the c/s's. During vag deliveries we mainly do babies vitals, clean baby, do footprints, weigh baby, do glucose test if we're checked off with POC, and take pictures at families request. Mother/Baby techs are CNA's and the only thing they will do will babies is feed them, change diapers, transport to/from nursery, and bathe. The rest is done by the nurse. Best of luck!

BeachsideRN, ASN · Jan 23, 2016

Thanks for the info. I actually ended up getting a tech position in a pediatric ER [emoji3]