Job Description

The Maternal & Infant Health Nurse Consultant provides professional nursing services to participants enrolled in the Midwest Healthy Start Program on a contractual basis. The consultant conducts health assessments, provides maternal and infant health education, supports care coordination, and delivers evidence-based nursing interventions that promote healthy pregnancies, positive birth outcomes, postpartum recovery, and infant well-being. Working collaboratively with Community Health Workers, Behavioral Health Clinicians, Doulas, Lactation Consultants, medical providers, and community partners, the consultant helps participants navigate healthcare systems and access appropriate medical services.

Scope of Services

Clinical Nursing Services

• Conduct comprehensive maternal and infant health assessments for program participants.
• Review medical histories and identify health risks requiring intervention or referral.
• Monitor participant health status throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.
• Provide nursing consultation regarding prenatal care, postpartum recovery, newborn care, chronic disease management, nutrition, and preventive health.
• Reinforce participant understanding of medical recommendations and treatment plans.

Participant Education

Provide individual and group education regarding:

• Prenatal health
• Healthy pregnancy
• Postpartum recovery
• Safe Sleep
• Breastfeeding support
• Infant growth and development
• Nutrition
• Family planning
• Chronic disease prevention
• Immunizations
• Infant safety

Care Coordination

• Coordinate nursing services with obstetrical providers, pediatricians, hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and specialty providers.
• Collaborate with Community Health Workers, Behavioral Health Clinicians, Doulas, and other consultants to support integrated care.
• Assist participants with navigating healthcare systems and accessing appropriate services.
• Participate in interdisciplinary case reviews as requested.

Clinical Consultation

• Provide nursing consultation to program staff regarding maternal and infant health concerns.
• Assist with development of participant care plans.
• Identify participants requiring immediate medical evaluation and facilitate timely referrals.
• Support quality improvement activities related to maternal and infant health outcomes.

Documentation

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of services provided.
• Complete required documentation in accordance with SGA policies and grant requirements.
• Protect participant confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and professional nursing standards.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Current Illinois Registered Nurse license in good standing.
• BSN required; MSN preferred.
• Minimum five years of experience in maternal-child health, obstetrics, labor and delivery, postpartum, public health nursing, or community health.
• Current CPR certification.
• Professional liability insurance preferred.
• Experience serving diverse and underserved communities.
• Knowledge of HRSA Healthy Start initiatives is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years of professional nursing experience providing direct patient care required; five (5) or more years preferred.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas is strongly preferred:
  • Maternal and child health
  • Labor and Delivery
  • Postpartum/Mother-Baby
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology
  • Neonatal or Pediatric Nursing
  • Community or Public Health Nursing
  • Family Practice
• Experience providing health education, patient counseling, and care coordination for diverse populations.
• Experience working with pregnant and postpartum individuals, infants, and families experiencing medical, behavioral, or social risk factors preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as part of an interdisciplinary care team.
• Experience serving historically underserved, culturally diverse, or medically vulnerable communities preferred.
• Experience with home visiting, community-based nursing, or federally funded maternal and child health programs (e.g., Healthy Start, MIECHV, WIC, FQHCs, or similar) is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with electronic health records (EHRs), case management systems, or other electronic documentation platforms required.

Other Requirements

• Current Illinois Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing.
• Current CPR/BLS certification.
• Professional liability insurance (or ability to obtain prior to contract start).
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and automobile insurance, as travel throughout the service area is required.
• Ability to maintain participant confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and all applicable professional nursing standards.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strong knowledge of maternal, infant, and family health, including prenatal, postpartum, newborn, and early childhood care.
• Demonstrated clinical assessment, critical thinking, and sound nursing judgment.
• Knowledge of high-risk pregnancy, chronic disease management, and maternal health complications.
• Ability to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and family-centered care.
• Strong health education and participant engagement skills, with the ability to communicate complex medical information in an understandable manner.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams, including Community Health Workers, Behavioral Health Clinicians, Doulas, Lactation Consultants, physicians, and community partners.
• Excellent care coordination, referral management, and resource navigation skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including timely and accurate clinical documentation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic documentation or case management systems; experience with Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) or electronic health records (EHRs) preferred.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and maintain professional boundaries while providing services in community-based settings.
• Commitment to participant confidentiality, ethical nursing practice, and continuous quality improvement.