Neonatal Nurse Practitioner-Heartland Neonatology Associates

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) role provides primary health care and specialized health services to an assigned caseload of neonates and their families according to the Scope of Practice as identified by the National Association of Neonatal Nursing - Division of Advanced Practice Nursing. In addition to diagnosing and managing acute and chronic illnesses, the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner plans and implements interventions while evaluating patient responses under the direction and in partnership of the designated collaborating physician or supervising physician, while emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention. Services include, but are not limited to, ordering, conducting, and interpreting diagnostic and laboratory tests, and prescription of pharmacologic agents and nonpharmacologic therapies using protocols or guidelines outlined by the service area. Teaching and counseling groups are also a part of the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner role.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs, and consistently demonstrates our core values.
2. Conducts patient (i.e. neonate) assessments, including obtaining a relevant health and medical history, performing a physical examination based on age and history, performing or ordering preventive and diagnostic procedures based on the patients age and history, and identifying health and medical risk factors.
3. Diagnoses patients by synthesizing and analyzing the collected data, formulating a differential diagnosis based on the history, physical examination, and diagnostic test results.
4. Identifies and implements a patient treatment plan, which may include ordering additional diagnostic tests, selecting appropriate pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions, developing a patient education plan, and making appropriate treatment referrals.
5. Implements patient care plans based on scientific principles, theoretical knowledge, and clinical expertise, accurately conducts and interprets diagnostic tests, accurately prescribes pharmacologic agents and nonpharmacologic therapies, provides relevant patient education, and makes referrals to other health professionals and community agencies as needed.
6. Determines the effectiveness of patient treatment plans, documents patient care outcomes, reassesses, and modifies treatment plans as necessary to achieve health and medical goals.
7. Participates as a team member in the provision of health and medical care, interacts and collaborates with professional colleagues to provide comprehensive care.
8. Accurately documents patient findings, treatment plans, and evaluations, maintains patient confidentiality per departmental and facility protocols and procedures.
9. Attends high-risk deliveries, including all preterm and multi-gestational pregnancies, meconium-stained amniotic fluid infants with suspected congenital anomalies or infections, and prenatally depressed infants.
10. Attends vaginal or cesarean section deliveries as requested by the obstetrical, neonatal, or family physician.
11. Provides and participates in neonatal resuscitations in labor and delivery, NICU, and newborn nursery.
12. Performs procedures for neonates, including intubation, lumbar puncture, percutaneous central catheter placement, umbilical vessel catheterization, emergency thoracentesis, insertion, emergency paracentesis, peripheral arterial puncture, peripheral radial artery insertion, and suprapubic bladder aspiration.
13. Writes daily progress notes and notes documents significant changes in patient condition.
14. In collaboration with the on-call neonatologist, orders medications, fluids, and nutrition.
15. Applies knowledge of age-specific and developmental needs related to plan of care, intervention, and patient response to care.
16. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Current Registered Nurse licensure from the State of Nebraska or approved compact state of residence as defined by the Nebraska Nurse Practice Act is required. A Master of Science degree in Nursing with a focus in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner is required. Current Advanced Practice Registered Nurse licensure from the State of Nebraska is required. Certification as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner by examination through the National Certification Corporation is required. A minimum of one (1) year neonatal clinical experience as a nurse or NNP is required.

Integrated practice agreement with the Medical Director for Neonatal Services as required by Nebraska State law is required and must be arranged prior to employment. Completion of Bryan credentialing and re-credentialing process is required for continued employment.

OTHER CREDENTIALS

• Certification in Basic Life Support (CPR) and Neonatal Resuscitation Programs (NRP) is required.
• Certification with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for prescriptive authority is required.