The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit NICU medical team is present in the NICU 24 hours a day and a neonatologist is always on call for that unit. Know your NICU medical team.

Your NICU team

Neonatalogist : This is  a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of sick newborns. They have 3 year  specialized training, specifically to treat newborns, beyond that required for general pediatricians. They are  usually the most knowledgeable  member of the team treating your newborn  and directs the medical care for your baby. They are  usually the lead physician in most NICUs.

Neonatal nurse practitioner NNP : An NNP is a registered nurse RN who has completed advanced education and training in the care of newborns and their families. In most institutions, the NNP should have a mastered degree in nursing. He works in collaboration with the neonatologist or attending physician. He is an expert in neonatal resuscitation, examines, diagnoses, and designs a care plan for your baby,  and serves as an education resource for all members of the NICU team. He may also perform procedures such as intubation, central line placement, chest tube insertion, and lumbar puncture.  In most states , the NNP may prescribe medications.

Neonatal physcian assiatant NPA : An NPA is a specialist degree from an accredited school and passed a state licensing examination. The NPA has the same background as other physician assistants and has completed  education and training in the care and treatment of infants and their families. He works under the supervision of the neonatologist or attending physician.  He may also perform producers such as intubation, central line placement, chest tube insertion, and lumbar puncture and may serve as an education resource for members of the NICU team. An NPA may prescribe medications in most US states.

Hospitalist :  A pediatric hospitalist who has completed pediatric residency. He has also  developed specific skills and interest in caring for infants and children who require inpatient hospital care. Some hospitalist spend part or most of their time working in the NICU . They work under the supervision of the neonatologist  and are capable of performing many procedures and care for babies in the NICU.

Resident : This is  a physician  who has graduated from medical school and is enrolled in a hospital-based program of specialized training called a residency program. The  program varies according to specialty  and in the amount of time user to complete the program. Most residents in the NICU are enrolled in pediatric residencies.

Neonatal Fellow :  This is physician who has completed medical school as well as a pediatric residency and is currently training to become a neonatologist. They work closely with the attending neonatologist and may be more visible in the unit than the attending neonatologist. The responsibility of the fellow may vary and include the following :

• overseeing the daily plans for each baby in the NICU and at delivery room resuscitations
• fellow makes rounds in the mornings and provides consultation for residents, NNPs, and NPAs during the rest of the day or night

Pediatrician : A pediatrician is a physician  who has completed a pediatric residency and who provides medical care for children from birth to 18 years (sometimes up to 21 years). In some hospitals , pediatricians with interest in caring  for babies with special needs may provide care for babies in the NICU. Other pediatricians may not have special training in NICU care and may therefore refer your baby to a neonatologist.

Charge nurse : This nurse makes sure the the NICU runs well. He is in charge of  staffing the NICU, and coordinating the admission and discharge of babies.

Clinical nurse specialist CNS :  A nurse who has training in the care of children and their families. He provides support and teachers parents what is going on with their baby.  He is also involved in the nursing staff education.

Registered nurse : A health care provider with a nursing degree. In the NICU, a registered nurse will have special training in caring for the sick newborn.

Pharmacist :  A person with training on how medicine works and the side effects they may cause. They help prepare medications such as antibiotics, immunizations, or intravenous (IV) solutions, such as total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

Other medical personnel : Your baby’s health care team may also call the following specialists to assist in providing care for your baby. These health care professionals may be available at the hospital,  on intermittent basis or by telephone. They include the following :

• Cardiothoracic surgeon: perfroms surgery on the heart
• Pediatric cardiologist : diagnosis and treatment of heart problems (nonsurgical)
• respiratory therapist :trained to care for babies with breathing problems.
• social worker : a person trained to help families cope with their baby’s NICU stay. They can help help families get information from their baby’s provider, provide information on their baby’s medical problems, provide emotional support, help navigate insurance and help plan for when their baby comes home.
• registered dietician : A health care professional who is trained as an expert in nutrition. They work with the NICU doctors and nurses to make sure the baby is getting all the nutrition he needs
• physical therapist : He helps figure out how well the baby is moving. They also look  for any problems the baby has moving and how that might affect things like sitting, rolling over or walking.
• occupational therapist : They help figure out how well the baby is chewing and swallowing
• speech and language therapist : He is trained to help people with speech and language problems. In the NICU ,they often help newborns with feeding problems
• technician : they do things like drawing blood and taking X-rays
• Pediatric gastroenterologist: specializes in treatment of stomach and intestinal problems (nonsurgical)
• Geneticist: studies birth defects and their causes
• Pediatric hematologist: specializes in diagnosis and treatment of blood problems
• Pediatric nephrologist: specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney problems
• Pediatric neurologist: specializes in diagnosis and treatment of the nervous system
• Neurosurgeon: specializes in surgery of the brain and nervous system
• Pediatric surgeon: specializes in performing general surgery for newborns and children
• Otolaryngologist: specializes in ear, nose, and throat surgery
• Pediatric pulmonologist: specializes in diagnosis and treatment of certain lung conditions
• Urologist: specializes in surgery of the urinary tract