Topic # 10: Ob Hospitalist job description

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We are investigating setting up laborist program at our hospital. Trying to
do it with current staff but having a hard time determining what duties
should/could be. Would love to eyeball your "plans" since our hospital is
insisting we do some triage and other on site duties which is only fair but
questions have arisen as to how to bill for such services and how much. Just trying to see how other sites are doing this as we potentially move forward. 2000+ deliveries a year. Level 2 nursery. I don't want to violate any
agreements  but all the information I can gather would greatly assist.
Thanks. Hope you can help.
James L Gildner, MD, FACOG

We are planning a blended model where the laborists also have private practices in the same area. Any advice would be
welcomed...Thanks
Adam Feingold, MD

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I would be interested in any job descriptions anyone is willing to share. It
would be a big help as here in IL, this is brand new and I put mine together
myself. I will be updating it soon and seeing any others info would be
helpful.

Thank you,

Karenmarie K. Meyer,M.D. 

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I am presently an OB Hospitalist at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, WA.  The program is about 3 1/2 years old.  I joined the group in July, 2008.  We are specifically the Maternal Fetal Medicine Hospitalists. Even though none of the 5 of us (3 full time and 2 part time hospitalists and looking to have 5 full time people) are trained in Maternal Fetal Medicine, we accept all the high risk transports from the outlying areas and manage the in patient high risk OB patients.  We have a full time MFM physician who does the consults and sees the patients.  Basically we work about seven 24 hour shifts per month and 2 OB Hospitalist clinics per month.  When we are  in the hospital our duties include caring for the patients who are admitted to the OB Hospitalist service, teaching the Family Practice Residents and Fellows, and being available for Obstetrical emergencies in the hospital.
The emergencies include caring for poor fetal monitor strips until the
private OB gets to the hospital and being available for precipitous
deliveries until the private OB gets to the hospital.  In addition, if a
patient comes into the hospital and does not have a private OB, she becomes a patient of the OB Hospitalist.  We also assist the private OBs with c/s if there is no Family Practice Resident to assist.  We do not do any gynecology and are mainly Obstetricians.

I love this position.  When your shift is over you sign out to the oncoming
OB Hospitalist and go home.  We are a close knit group and practice evidence based medicine.  I have learned a great deal about high risk ob and we have some very sick patients.  I know that there are other programs that are not designed like ours.  Other programs handle all the triage patients for the private OBs and some do all the deliveries for the private OBs.  There are many different styles to the OB Hospitalist programs.  Ours is just one of them.  If you need more information do not hesitate to email me at sandiforn@yahoo.com.  Have a great day.

Blessings,
Sandi Fornwalt, MD

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Department:
Job Grade:  Exempt

PURPOSE/SCOPE OF POSITION:

To provide direct in-patient acute care to patients with obstetrics and
gynecology needs.  Direct and coordinate the management of hospitalized
female patients.  Work on a daily basis in clinical diversity and manage the
care of complex patients.  Work closely with associated physicians and
hospital staff to achieve the community standard of care for patient
outcomes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBLITIES:

Oversee aspects of patients¹ OB and GYN hospital care:  Process management,
communications with other physicians and health care workers, patients and
families, discharge planning.

Perform medical examinations, evaluations, diagnosis, deliveries and
treatments/procedures as needed to patients.

Attend to unassigned ER calls as necessary.

Attend to consultation requests from specialists for obstetrics and
gynecology.

Communicate with patients¹ primary care physician upon admission and
discharge.

Communicate with office administrative staff daily patient encounters, daily
patient treatment and diagnosis.

Communicate with hospital administration and ancillary staff.  Follow
established hospital policies and procedures relating to safety,
environmental and infection control standards.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Participate in quality improvement and clinical review activities sponsored
by hospital and/or employer.

Maintain strictest patient confidentiality in accordance with hospital
regulations.

Adhere to hospital OSHA preventative programs sponsored by medical
facilities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Potential supervisory responsibility in the management of patient care.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Required:
Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Completion of Internship and/or Residency in obstetrics and gynecology.
Board certified or board eligible by the American College of Obstetrics &
Gynecology.
Must have sufficient clinical knowledge and experience to provide clinical
competence and meet institutional standards of care.
Knowledge of legal and ethical standards for delivery of medical care.
Ability to deliver effective obstetrical and gynecological surgical care
within a women¹s acute care environment.
Knowledge of relevant drugs and ability to prescribe dosages and
instructions to patients in correct usage.
Maintain licensure in accordance with state requirements.
Maintain CME to meet state license requirements.
Interpersonal skills to work with patients, colleagues, staff and family
members.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Desirable:
Previous OB hospitalist or laborist experience or 3 years of OB/GYN
experience.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:

Exhibits competence and meets expectations in completing and submitting
encounters for coding and billing.

EXTENT OF PUBLIC CONTACT:

See patients and families on a daily basis.

Work with hospital staff, physicians and administration.

Available to market program to community physicians and to speak to
community groups.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Mental Abilities:
Ability to remain calm in high-level stress situations.
Ability to work in intense and demanding environment.
Ability to manage demanding clinical workload.
Sensory Abilities:
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely through written and oral
communication.
Ability to use various types of office machines and peripheral devices.
Motor Skills Required:
Physical demands may be required based on clinical situation.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a hospital acute care environment. Position involves
daily contact with patients, patient families, hospital staff and other
physicians and allied health.  Position involves exposure to potentially
dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety
precautions and may include use of protective equipment.  Potential for
intense and demanding physical and mental stress associated with clinical
workload and schedule.  Applicant must be available to work evenings,
weekends and holidays as scheduled.


DISCLAIMERS:

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only
duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position.
Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job related instructions
and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person
authorized to give instructions or assignments. To perform this job
successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and
abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude
individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or
safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.

APPROVALS:

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