The Nurse Practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice nurse, who utilizes advanced knowledge and clinical expertise in providing primary and/or specialized health care services to individuals, families, groups and communities across the health-illness continuum. Diagnostic reasoning, advanced therapeutic interventions and education are key elements in the direct provision of care using a collaborative model. Duties include participation in coordination of care and inter-service and inter-team collaboration for specialty areas. The nurse practitioner works closely with physicians and resident staff, patient care staff, patients and families to manage plan of care. The nurse practitioner works across Neonatal Intensive Care units at both Children’s Hospital and Hutzel Women’s Hospital and on day and night shifts and weekends. The nurse practitioner works as an autonomous practitioner or in collaboration with a physician, and is directly accountable for making clinical judgments to patient(s) using independent and interdependent decision-making skills. The nurse practitioner writes medical orders (medications and tests) and procedures subject to internal and external rules and regulations of credentialing. The nurse practitioner also functions as a consultant, educator, researcher, resource and role model for patient, families, community, nursing personnel and other health care providers. The nurse practitioner evaluates the quality of care rendered; analyzes and promotes system changes to enhance quality of care and organizational effectiveness/efficiency; conducts/utilizes research to promote health and improve health care delivery. The nurse practitioner assumes responsibility for own professional development. Appropriate privileges, licensure and certification are required to prescribe pharmacological and medical interventions.

Expectations and Responsibilities:
Under the limited direction of the attending physician or designee,
1.    Obtains and records patient medical history
2.    Performs physical examinations
3.    Develops, prioritized, comprehensive problem list
4.    Orders, evaluates and monitors medical and laboratory diagnostic tests and treatment and consultation plans. 
5.    Accompany patient(s) to diagnostic procedure.
6.    Performs, documents, procedures (specifically delivery room attendance, reservoir taps, lumbar punctures, endotracheal intubation, peripheral inserted central line placement, umbilical line insertion, Intraossess line placement, thoracentesis, chest tubes and exchange transfusions, abdominal paracentesis, moderate sedation)
7.    Maintains active Neonatal Resuscitation Provider and/or PALS card as per institutional requirements.
8.    Prepares, develops and initiates treatment plan in consultation with attending physician. 
9.    Documentations in Electronic Medical record.
10.    Educates and counsels patient and family members on condition, desired results of treatment plans, expectations during illness and recovery, and other related areas.
11.    Participates in teaching and patient management conferences. 
12.    Engage in quality improvement measures for safety and compliance
13.    Coordinates and facilitates continuity of care that crosses institutional and organizational boundaries.
14.    Acts as a patient/family advocate to ensure health care services are delivered in an ethical and culturally sensitive manner.