Job Description
SUMMARY:
Provides developmental intervention to high-risk infants. Assesses the developmental needs of neonates and their families and assists in the planning, development, coordination, teaching and evaluation of effective of individualized family-centered developmentally supportive care strategies. Maintains developmental care standards as outlined by NICP (Newborn Intensive Care Program).
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Assists in developmental, implementation and revision of nursing protocols and standards of care as they relate to developmental care
Creates individual growth and development care plans for Neonates.
Collaborates with agencies that provide follow up care post hospitalization.
Consults with nursing supervisors concerning instructional needs of patients, complies with physician requests for patient instruction, and coordinates instructional activities of therapists, pharmacists, and other professionals.
Educates staff related to ongoing developmental training; educates parents related to their infant development and supportive care; records type of instruction given.
Receives charge nurse shift report; makes complete rounds of all NICU patients and notes patients' condition and developmental needs; maintains patient documentation; notifies appropriate physician regarding any unusual or unexpected events or problems requiring direct physician consultation.
Provides appropriate, direct patient care in assigned area(s) utilizing appropriate aseptic techniques.
Observes and communicates changes in the patient's condition to the private duty office staff and/or nursing supervisor.
Maintains a safe, comfortable and developmentally appropriate environment for NICU infants in accordance with NICU developmental standards.
Evaluates outcomes of patient care, consult with other specialists as required and adjust nursing care processes as necessary to ensure optimal patient care.
Adheres to TMCH organizational and department-specific safety, confidentiality, values, policies and standards.
Performs related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION: Graduation from a qualified, nationally-accredited nursing program required. Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
EXPERIENCE: Four (4) years of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) experience.
LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION: Current RN licensure permitting work in the state of Arizona and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required. Neonatal Resuscitation Provider (NRP) certification required within three (3) months of hire. NIDCAP (Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program) Certification required within 30 months of hire.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
· Knowledge of direct patient care and critical care procedures and techniques, tools, and responses required to ensure optimal patient care.
· Skill in communicating in a clear and concise manner with staff involved in critical care, and physicians to ensure the proper care of patients.
· Skill in assessing the developmental needs of neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), directly involved in patient care.
· Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
· Ability to complete routine reports and correspondence.
· Ability to listen and accurately interpret others’ communication or instructions to take appropriate action.
· Ability to speak and communicate effectively.
· Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
· Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.