Population: Neonates, infant
Care environment: Provides skilled care to neonates-infants in an intensive care environment.
KEY COMPETENCIES
Competencies to be assessed as outlined in the Pediatric NICU unit orientation and competency booklets. These competencies include but are not limited to:
· Hygiene care
· Assessment of the neonate and infant
· Recognition of deviations in clinical observations
· Oxygen therapy interfaces including:
o Nasal cannula
o Low flow oxygen therapy
o High flow oxygen therapy
· Interpretation of cardiorespiratory monitoring
· Non-invasive respiratory support:
o CPAP
o BiPAP
· Nutrition for the neonate/infant:
o Oral feeding
o Enteral feeding
o Parenteral nutrition
· Capillary blood sampling
· Developmental care of the neonate/infant:
o Positioning
o Skin to skin
o Minimal handling
· Intravenous medications and fluid management
· Assessment and management of pain in the neonate/infant
· Family centered care
o Parents as partners in care
· Safeguarding the neonate/infant
· Infection control practices in the NICU
· Specimen collection
The NICU CN will be expected to work toward achieving the following advanced competencies:
· Thermoregulation in the neonate and humidification
· Phototherapy
· Management of arterial lines
· Invasive ventilation including high frequency oscillatory ventilation
· Neonatal sepsis
· Hemodynamic monitoring
· Care of the neonate/infant receiving inotropes
o Preparation of infusions
o Administration and titration of infusions
· Care of the neonate/infant on nitric oxide
· Chest drain assessment and management
· Care of neonates/infants with repogle Tubes
· Care and transport of ventilated neonates
· Care of the post-surgical neonate
· Care of infants for neuroprotective/therapeutic hypothermia
· Management of central lines
· Care of neonates/infants with congenital anomalies
· Culturally sensitive bereavement care in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team
· Tracheostomy care
