Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)

Where compassion meets innovation and technology and our employees are family.

Job Description:

• The neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) is a professional registered nurse with clinical experience in neonatal nursing who has received formal education with supervised clinical experience in the management of sick neonates.
• The NNP exercises independent judgment in assessment, diagnosis, management, and initiation of delegated medical procedures, and evaluation which is consistent with state nurse practice laws, institutional guidelines, and the NNP's education and experience.
• The NICU nurse practitioner operates within the framework of Driscoll Children's Hospital Mission Statement and Core Values.

Essential Duties and Behavioral Expectations:

• Maintains utmost level of confidentiality at all times.
• Adheres to hospital policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates business practices and personal actions that are ethical and adhere to corporate compliance and integrity guidelines.
• Accepts and coordinates total care for a specific caseload of neonatal patients.
• Obtains health history both maternal and infant for all patients in the NNP's caseload.
• Performs daily physical assessments and examinations.
• Orders and interprets diagnostic/laboratory studies.
• Diagnoses and treats neonatal disease processes.
• After concurrence with attending neonatologist makes referral to specialty physicians as appropriate.
• Documents daily on NNP data form, the daily diagnosis, changes, and updates in plan of care.
• Prescribes and manages medication, fluid, respiratory, nutrition, and other therapies.
• Prescribes specialty therapy consults as appropriate, i.e., PT, OT, hearing, speech, etc.
• Maintains therapeutic relationships with parents/families through counseling and teaching about their infant's condition.
• Facilitate continuum of care through close coordination with the neonatologist, case manager, bedside nurse, specialty MD/Services, family, and community services.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Strong knowledge of and effective administering hospital policies and procedures.
• Makes and implements decisions compatible with organizational goals.
• Maintains composure, effectiveness, and flexibility under pressure.

Education and Experience:

• Master's Degree preferred (if no MS, title has been grandfathered in before January 2000).
• Current certification and licensure as a RN/Advanced Practitioner Nurse in the State of Texas.
• Significant knowledge and experience within the neonatal service area.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Texas Licensed Registered Nurse.
• National Certification as an NNP after receiving formal education acceptable to the Texas State Board of Nursing or be currently enrolled in a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program and functioning as a Student Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.
• Licensed to practice as NNP or Student NNP in the State of Texas.
• Neonatal Resuscitation Certified and Basic Life Support (CPR).