GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Intern, under the direct supervision and in collaboration with a neonatologist &/or NNP may identify the comprehensive medical and nursing care of the pediatric patient for delegated aspects of care, under the practice agreement with collaborating physician(s) to include: health promotion, health supervision, illness prevention and diagnosis, treatment and management of various health problems and conditions. Schedule varies according to area of accountability needs. Exempt position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Under the direct supervision and in collaboration with a neonatologist and/or NNP, assesses patient, synthesizes and analyzes data, develops plan of care, identifies the appropriate orders for diagnostic tests and therapeutic treatments and evaluates clinical outcomes according to individualized* patient needs/age specific standards.
• (*Individualized refers to the patient’s developmental, cognitive, cultural, psychosocial, spiritual, and educational/family influences and physical/medical care needs.)
• Completes an accurate assessment of patients.
• Identifies appropriate medical diagnoses, and documents plan of care in progress notes.
• Identifies appropriate diagnostic tests related to patient condition, and demonstrates ability to interpret the diagnostic tests.
• Synthesizes and analyzes data obtained through assessment to develop a comprehensive plan of care that is individualized and reflects patient care needs including interventions and treatments to attain expected outcomes.
• Can recommend an appropriate plan for medical orders in accordance with medical practice standards and/or jointly approved protocols.
• Evaluates and can articulate revised plan as indicated by changes in patient condition or needs.
• Communicates daily medical plan/updates to patients/parents, medical team involved, and other interdisciplinary team members.
• Demonstrates understanding of caregiver dynamics involved in providing care to the pediatric patient.
• Works in collaboration with nursing staff to integrate individualized nursing plans/ interdisciplinary goals in support of the medical plan of care.
• Assesses the educational needs of patients/caregivers and develops/implements the educational plan in collaboration with other healthcare professionals.

• Under the direct supervision of and in collaboration with a neonatologist &/or NNP, can identify appropriate therapeutic measures and medications in accordance with the State of Nebraska APRN statutes and Children’s Hospital Policies. Under the direct supervision of a neonatologist &/or NNP, performs select invasive procedures, as approved in his/her individual Scope of Service, according to Children’s Hospital policies.
• Demonstrates competency in principles of medication dosing and mechanism of action as it relates to specific diagnosis.
• Demonstrates the ability to identify/administer medication according to Children’s Hospital policy, procedure and scope of practice.
• Maintains accurate log of procedures performed that are appropriate for NNP interns. Demonstrates knowledge and expertise when performing procedures/specialty skills, always with a physician/NNP to include:

• Demonstrates documentation that reflects assessment/evaluation, modification, and patient’s response to therapy, changes in condition, and therapeutic interventions/procedures.
• Entries that would go into the medical record follow hospital policy (i.e., date, time, use of appropriate abbreviations, and legibility).
• Facilitates written medical orders vs verbal orders, when appropriate.
• Demonstrates documentation that reflects timely notification of appropriate health care team members.
• Demonstrates documentation which reflects communication with families/caregivers as appropriate (i.e., update on plan of care, teaching, etc.).
• Demonstrates documentation notes that are individualized to the clinical area and reflect assessment, plan of care, rationale for plan of care, care changes, and collaborative discussions, contains necessary components per hospital policy and standards. Notes demonstrated include but are not limited to:

• DOCUMENTATION – Per Specialty
• NICU
• Histories and physicals
• Consultation Notes
• Discharge/Transfer Summary
• Progress Note Plan of Care
• Procedure Note
• Unplanned changes in patient condition which may/may not result in changes to plan of care.
• Time Out process completed
• Sedation Notes

• Under the direct supervision of a neonatologist &/or NNP, assumes leadership role in implementing and reinforcing medical/nursing standards of practice to promote quality patient care.
• Demonstrates expertise in clinical content when integrating medical/nursing practice into unit/organizational systems under development/review.
• Collaborates with identified groups in the organization to define/clarify/improve practice while incorporating research findings, new knowledge and national standards to advance patient care throughout the organization.
• Proactively identifies educational needs related to patient care specialty and provides formal/informal professional education.
• Coordinates/participates in clinical project planning and program development for effective implementation and monitoring of outcomes.
• Identifies opportunities to acknowledge unit/organization for patient care best practices as seen through support of publication/research participation.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS

• Performs other duties assigned.
• Promotes professionalism and leadership within service team, and through interactions with patients, families, staff, colleagues, others.
• Professionally seeks opportunities to help unit team members/department, as needed.
• Accepts assignments to share knowledge and provide clinical support.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Possess an unrestricted license as a registered nurse in the State of Nebraska.
• Certification of Basic Life Support.
• Requires independent judgment to develop, implement, and monitor nursing care practices in neonatal care, in order to ensure quality care and cost effective services.
• A high level of analytical ability to resolve complex patient care problems, administrative problems and research issues.
• Must be able to perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature, without loss of efficiency or composure, and be able to perform under stressful conditions when confronted with multiple requests, demonstrating prioritizing skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively with multiple disciplines.
• Legible handwriting skills.
• Ability to be self-directed, with minimum supervision, and detail oriented.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Must be enrolled in a Master of Science in nursing graduate program with a focus in neonatology.
• Maintains an advanced practice student and preceptor clinical practicum agreement.
• 2 years of NICU nursing experience required