The Advanced Practice Provider (APP) covering neonatal and newborn services reports to the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Coordinator. The APP manages a case load of neonatal patients in consultation and collaboration with Neonatologists. The APP utilizes extensive knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physiology and exercises independent judgment in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of neonatal patients. The APP provides individualized, safe, effective, goal-directed patient care to families and patients to achieve desired results.

Minimum Training and Education: Currently licensed as an Advanced Practice Nurse in the state of SC or licensed as a Physician Assistant by the National Board of Medical Examiners or the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Requires certification in Basic Life Support. The NNP applicant must be a graduate of an accredited Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program with a minimum education requirement of a Master's degree. The Physician Assistant must be a graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program with at least one year experience in neonatal intensive care.

Licensure, Certifications, Registrations: Currently licensed (or eligible) in the state of South Carolina as a Physician Assistant by the National Board of Medical Examiners or the American Academy of Physician Assistants or as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (Neonatal Nurse Practitioner). Requires certification in Basic Life Support and Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP). Other certifications may be required to maintain employment for a respective department (Prescriptive authority and DEA license). NNP certification by NCC. New graduate NNPs must take the exam in accordance with state guidelines for APRN licensure.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• NNP or PA SPECIFIC SKILLS
• Ensures implementation of established guidelines for the management of neonatology patients
• Collaborates with other disciplines to ensure effective and efficient services are provided.
• Develops and monitors systems ensuring that patient needs and regulatory standards are met.
• Involves unit staff and representatives from other disciplines in decision making.
• Utilizes research and benchmark data when planning evaluating service operations
• Develops, Implements, monitors and evaluates service-specific goals which are based on organizational and departmental goals.
• Promotes and maintains a safe, warm, hospital environment for all customers.
• Thorough knowledge of physical assessment skills for normal and high-risk newborns.
• Considerable knowledge of risk-screening and developmental assessment tools.
• Extensive skill in the use of specialized equipment utilized in the care of critically ill neonates (e.g.:pressure ventilators, HFV, cardio-respiratory monitors, oxygen saturation and transcutaneous P02/PC02 monitors, phototherapy, etc.).
• Ability to function independently in the critical care environment and serve as a leader for the infants' care.
• Considerable skills regarding interpretation of laboratory findings.
• Obtains consent for invasive procedures as required.
• Ability to incorporate explanations and health education into the care of high-risk neonates and their families.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills required to provide care and/or
  service appropriate to the age and level of development of the patient, with consideration of the needs of the patients' families.
• All job duties require knowledge and skills to care for patients between the age of 0 and 1.
• Attends intermediate and high risk deliveries independently and performs resuscitation interventions with mastery of physical assessment and technical skills as required - endotracheal intubation, chest compressions, central and peripheral lines, arterial sticks, and medication administration.
• Ability to perform maternal and newborn consults and communicate findings. Functions as a skilled team leader with well-developed diagnostic and analytic skills.
• Performs all neonatal intensive care, admission procedures for a designated case load of patients, including appropriate family history and complete physical examination.
• Orders diagnostic testing as appropriate, including radiologic and laboratory studies, and accurately interprets findings.
• Individualizes the diagnostic workup and approach and develops a sound differential diagnosis.
• Determines the daily plan of care for a designated case load of neonates in collaboration with neonatologists, fellows, residents, interns, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other members of the health care team.
• Writes daily orders for fluids, medications, nutrition, and respiratory management.
• Evaluates the patients' response to medical treatment and makes changes as indicated.
• Demonstrates sound oral and written communication skills and documents daily progress of patients, writing both discharges and death summaries. Performs highly skilled and technical procedures
  (lumbar punctures, needle aspiration, chest tube placement, arterial catheterization, PICC placement, suprapubic bladder taps, etc.) under protocol.
• Performance is guided by sound theory with analysis of both approach and outcomes.
• Monitors nursing care delivered, serving as a role model and educator for nursing staff, student nurse practitioners, and residents, demonstrating teaching expertise.
• Supervises MUSC student nurse practitioners and physician assistants during their clinical practicum and potential teaching in the educational program. Assists in coordinating necessary learning experiences and providing feedback.

Physical Requirements: Continuous requirements are to perform job functions while standing, walking and sitting. Ability to bend at the waist, kneel, climb stairs, reach in all directions, fully use both hands and legs, possess good finger dexterity, perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders, reach in all directions. Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and as required. Maintain 20/40 vision corrected, see and recognize objects close at hand and at a distance, work in a latex safe environment and work indoors. Frequently lift, lower, push and pull and/or carry objects weighing 50 lbs (+/-) unassisted, exert up to 50 lbs of force, lift from 36" to overhead 25 lbs. Infrequently work in dusty areas and confined/cramped spaces.