Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Leads in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the holistic, evidence based care of the sick neonates and their families within Postnatal Wards, SCBU, High Dependency, Intensive Care area including stabilisation and transportation.

Leads in the monitoring and maintenance of practice standards in accordance with Trust, Network and NMC policies and procedures.

Maintains and advances own and others clinical competency in line with the NMC Code  and Revalidation requirements.

Acts as clinical advisor to NNU staff and Antenatal / Postnatal / Delivery Suite midwives.

Positively develops and maintains communication networks within the Trust, Network and other Neonatal units hence establishing good collaborative working relationship.

This involves:

Communicating the role of the Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner to nursing / medical staff, senior management and user groups.

Communicating effectively with a wide range of people including nursing, allied health professions, medical and social work colleagues, patients, carers and managers at all levels.

Contributing to complex decision making within the directorate and divisional management team.

Presenting and discussing service developments to various groups.

Breaking bad news and supporting those giving and receiving it.

Promoting and modelling good practice consistent with legislation relating to communication.

Recognising barriers to effective communication and modifying method, content and environment to enable good communication at the appropriate knowledge and skill level.

Clinical:

Works within agreed medical / nursing protocols to meet the responsibilities of senior and junior specialty doctors as required.

Attends high-risk deliveries for emergency management of sick neonates as required.

Assesses the need of the neonate, admitting to and discharging from the unit as necessary

Assesses neonates health status, to include medical history, physical examination, and social history.

Plans and implements individual management according to unit guidelines and protocols.

Requests and interprets investigations including laboratory tests, x-rays and ultrasound scans, and act on results as appropriate.

Prescribes and administers drugs according to unit guidelines and agreed clinical management plans including independent prescribing.

Practical Procedures:

The Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner will be expected to undertake practical procedures within the usual medical role, as agreed with the consultant Neonatologists.

This will include: -

Venepuncture / venous cannulation

Percutaneous arterial line insertion and sampling

Blood gases / adjustment of ventilator and respiratory support settings

Insertion and removal of percutaneous long line

Umbilical venous and arterial catheterization and removal

Endotracheal intubation and extubation

Emergency needle aspiration/ chest drain insertion for pneumothorax/ pleural effusion

Maintain contemporaneous records (nursing and medical)

Undertake and interpret bedside therapeutic and diagnostic procedures (blood tests, transillumination, lumbar puncture, supra pubic aspirations, urinary catheterisaion)

Requesting and interpreting chest and abdominal x rays,

Request, perform and interpret cranial ultrasounds.

Emergency drug administration, according to unit guidelines.

Initiation of treatment with prescribed drugs as stated within protocols and according to agreed Clinical Management Plans and Independent prescribing.

Request and prescribe parenteral fluids, electrolyte solutions and blood products and volume expanders adhering to local guidelines

Follow newborn life support algorithm and advanced resuscitation of the newborn.

Administer newborn immunisations.

Commence CFM Monitoring and interpretation of trace

In addition to providing clinical cover you would also be responsible for maintaining up to date clinical records, updating Badgernet summaries, and communication with parents and colleagues. There is continuous clinical supervision provided by senior Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioners and Consultants. Consultants are present on site from 0900 2200 hours on weekdays and 0900 1400 hours on weekends and bank holidays. All consultants are easily approachable out of hours.

Successful candidate would be expected to work independently and contribute to the delivery of the newborn service, participate in undergraduate and post graduate teaching, quality improvement, governance activities, research and development of the service for the population of Walsall.