Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Provides overall care for sick infants with the aid of a collaborative healthcare team, while under the supervision of attending physicians.  

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

1. Assessment and Care.  Assesses, resuscitates, and stabilizes infants in the delivery room. 
2. Patient Data Collection.  Obtains patient history, conducts physical exams, neurological exams, etc. 
3. Lab Testing.  Assesses lab values, performs lab tests, diagnostic tests, assesses special needs (i.e. infant and family needs), etc.
4. Documentation.  Documents admission history, physicals, daily progress notes, interim summaries, discharge summaries, etc. Also, writes patient care orders within their scope of practice following established protocols (possibly in emergency situations).
5. Consultation.  Coordinates and consults with the attending physician and the healthcare team in regards to patient care issues. Also, consults with the family to aid in implementation of home healthcare plans.  
6. Evaluation.  Evaluates patient data to form a diagnosis with the aid of the physician.   
7. Care Plans.  Develops, organizes, and implements plans of care and discharge plans with the aid of the attending physician and healthcare team based on collected data and established diagnosis. Also, prepares a therapeutic course of action and revises as necessary. 
8. Ordering.  Order various medications, diagnostic tests, radiographs, IV fluids, vaccinations, x-rays, etc. 
9. Performs Procedures.  Performs various procedures such as exchange transfusion, endotracheal intubation, placement of umbilical catheters, placement of  IVs, etc.
10. Emergency Management.  Manages emergency situations such as respiratory issues and circulatory or cardiac failure by administering emergency drugs, performing emergency ventilation, placing chest tubes, etc. 
11. Education.  Educates parents, nurses, medical students, and the general public in regards to anticipatory management of high-risk infants, emergency situations (i.e. respiratory issues, circulatory or cardiac issues, etc.), development and implementation of patient care plans, discharge plans, etc.
12. As Needed.  Performs duties as needed to successfully fulfill the functions of the position.