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, 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 Vales.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; employees will perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and/or hospital administration as required.

• 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.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
 Masters 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).