Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Overview

BSD PED – Neonatology – Comer. The NICU in Comer Children’s Hospital is one of the largest Level III NICUs in Chicago, serving over 850 admissions per year and over 21,000 patient bed‑days. In collaboration with the Maternal‑Fetal Service, the Neonatology department runs the University of Chicago Perinatal Network and offers state‑of‑the‑art care with a dedicated Small Baby Unit for infants 28 weeks gestation or less.

The advanced practice provider delivers direct patient care in collaboration with physicians and the multidisciplinary team, identifying and managing patient health problems according to approved privileges.

• Provide direct patient care and formulate plans of care in collaboration with physicians, nursing staff, and the multidisciplinary team following approved privileges.
• Communicate follow‑up plans and disposition to the follow‑up health care provider.
• Prescribe and evaluate pharmacological therapies in accordance with protocol.
• Attend high‑ and low‑risk deliveries as needed.
• Initiate CPR and perform therapeutic techniques to stabilize compromised infants in the delivery room, NICU, emergency department, and referring hospitals.
• Stabilize and transport patients as needed.
• Demonstrate an in‑depth understanding of current professional and legal trends, concepts, and issues related to practice.
• Identify educational needs of family members and provide teaching when appropriate.
• Ensure that appropriate systems and resources are in place to maintain established standards of care.
• Participate in self‑ and peer evaluation to improve quality of care.
• Participate in the development, review, and evaluation of policies and procedures.
• Participate in developing and implementing quality improvement monitoring.
• Participate in providing in‑service and outreach education programs.
• Act as a clinical skills resource for staff on or of the unit.
• May participate in clinical research projects conducted by supervising physicians.
• Serve as a preceptor to advanced practice provider students.
• Evaluate goals and outcomes considering benefit‑versus‑burden, safety, quality, and cost‑effectiveness for patient, family, and organization.
• Develop diagnostic strategies and therapeutic interventions needed to achieve patient care goals.
• Respond to adverse drug reactions with special attention to vulnerable populations, and coordinate APP training and professional development activities.
• Perform other related work as needed.

Education: College or university degree from an accredited school or college.

Work Experience: Minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in a related discipline.

Certifications: Current and/or eligible for State of Illinois licensure/registration; eligibility to be privileged and credentialed through the Medical Staff Office.

Education:

• Advanced nursing degree from an accredited school of nursing.
• Completion of approved neonatal nurse practitioner training.

Experience:

• Two years of clinical experience in a related specialty area.

Certifications:

• NCC certification as a neonatal nurse practitioner.
• Ability to obtain Illinois advanced practice nurse license by start date.
• Current license as a registered nurse.
• Once licensed, apply for a mid‑level practitioner‑controlled substance license and DEA number.

• Proficiency in resuscitation, intubation, and line placement.
• Proficiency in EPIC.
• Proficiency in use of computers.
• Excellent clinical, management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to conduct physical examinations and health assessments.
• Detail‑oriented.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to use independent judgment.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to facilitate communication among various levels of practitioners.
• Ability to interview and obtain medical information.
• Willingness to enter into a written collaborative agreement with a collaboration physician upon hire.
• Ability to properly document and bill for services provided.

• Clinical care setting.
• Exposure to human blood, blood components, and/or products derived from human blood.
• Exposure to infectious material.
• High‑stress environment.