Clinical Manager of Mother Infant Care, Birth Center, and Lactation

About the Role

The Clinical Manager is the first-line manager responsible for the 24-hour functioning of the Mother Infant Care Unit, Birth Center, and Lactation Services.

The Birth Center consists of:

• 12 Birthing Rooms (12 beds)
• 3 Labor Rooms (4 beds)
• 6 High Risk Antepartum/High Risk Post-Partum rooms (6 beds)
• 3-bay Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
• 2 Operating Rooms (ORs)

The philosophy of this unit is to foster family unity in a home-like environment while providing safe and therapeutic care to obstetric and neonatal patients. Registered Nurses in the Birth Center are certified in BLS, ACLS, and NRP. Procedures performed include, but are not limited to:

• Vaginal birth (assisted or non-assisted)
• Induction of labor
• Cesarean sections (with and without sterilization procedures)
• Sterilization procedures
• Dilation and curettage (D&C)
• Cerclage

The Mother Infant Unit consists of 24 rooms and 29 beds, with 5 rooms accommodating semi-private occupancy. It includes a Level I newborn nursery for respite care, observation of high-risk infants, and a procedure room. The philosophy of the unit is to foster family unity in a Baby Friendly™ environment while respecting parental choices regarding feeding and rooming-in, providing safe and therapeutic care.

Healthcare providers in this area include those from the Birth Center, pediatric care providers, and lactation specialists. Registered Nurses in the MIU are certified in BLS and NRP. The unit provides supportive care of the mother/infant dyad with a focus on family, infant, and self-care procedures and education. Both human milk and formula feeding are supported, with special emphasis on the benefits of human lactation.

Responsibilities

Oversee the 24-hour operations of the Mother Infant Care Unit, Birth Center, and Lactation Services, ensuring safe, therapeutic, and family-centered care.

Requirements

Education

• Minimum: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Bachelor's Degree in a related field
• Preferred: Master’s degree

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations

• Minimum: California Registered Nurse license and American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Preferred: Leadership and/or clinical certification; successful completion of Advanced Fetal Monitoring training

Experience

• Minimum: Two (2) years of clinical, educational, or managerial experience in the Birth Center or Mother Infant Care
• Preferred: Management experience

About Us

Cottage Health is a leading acute care hospital system located on the central coast of California, widely known for superior patient care, innovation, medical research, and education. Our health system operates primarily in Santa Barbara, CA, and includes three acute care hospitals, a Rehabilitation Hospital, multiple clinics, and a multi-site Urgent Care system. Founded in 1888, our mission is to serve the central coast communities with excellence, integrity, and compassion.

Pay

Pay for non-physician positions is determined based on related years of experience and internal equity. Eligible employees may receive additional compensation, including shift differentials, on-call pay, incentive pay, and bonus opportunities, where applicable. Manager and above positions may participate in Cottage Health’s annual management incentive program. Physician compensation is determined based on specialty and may include bonus potential.

For more information on our comprehensive Total Rewards offerings, visit https://cottagehealth.org/careers/total-rewards.