Maternal and Child Health Nurse

Job Description

1. Job Information

2. Role Summary

The Maternal and Child Health Nurse will provide nursing care to women and newborns in the antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum period. The role involves direct bedside patient care, patient monitoring, equipment stewardship, and management of Emergency obstetric and neonatal care. The nurse will also mentor other nurses, ensure adherence to the standards prescribed by the Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi, support Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures, and participate in quality improvement initiatives.

This role requires strong clinical judgement, technical competence, and the ability to work under pressure in inter-professional teams.

The position reports directly to the Secondary Care and Programs Director with secondary reporting to the Chief Medical Officer.

3. Core Responsibilities (Role-Specific Tasks)

• Deliver comprehensive, evidence-based nursing care to women and newborns, including monitoring of labour and vital signs, administering medications, and managing equipment (cardiotocographs, monitors etc.).
• Conduct and document patient assessments in alignment with WHO Safe Childbirth Flow Chart
• Provide and interpret nursing interventions such as cardiotocograph for high-risk pregnancies.
• Support emergency resuscitation procedures for peripartum women and newborns and participate in rapid response teams.
• Mentor and coach nursing staff, interns, and students in MCH.
• Uphold infection prevention and control standards and ensure safe handling of equipment and consumables.
• Participate in ward rounds, multidisciplinary case discussions, and care planning.
• Conduct nursing rounds and nursing specific case discussions and develop comprehensive nursing care plans
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation of nursing care, patient progress, and incident reporting.
• Promote a safe, respectful, and therapeutic environment for patients and families.

4. Other Strategic Responsibilities

4.1 Operations & Logistics

• Ensure availability and functionality of essential MCH equipment and supplies (oxygen concentrators, resuscitation stations, Emergency trolley and PPE).
• Report shortages or equipment failures promptly and support follow-up.
• Track and plan for preventive maintenance of MCH equipment through innovative ways such as Upkeep software in collaboration with biomedical team.

4.2 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.
• Support generation and reporting of data from the MCH and make data driven decisions to improve quality of care for the critically ill patients.

4.3 Capacity Building

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

5. Expected Competencies, Attributes, and Behaviors

5.1 Technical Competencies

• Strong skills in maternal and child health care.
• Competence in bed side evaluation like Obstetric POCUS and use of cardiotocograph.
• Knowledge of Malawi reproductive health care protocols.

5.2 Behavioral Competencies

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

5.3 Personal Attributes

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

6. Qualifications & Experience

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

7. Additional Notes

• Flexible to support emergency preparedness and outbreak response.
• Willingness to work in rural settings and at odd hours.