NICU Team
Neonatologist – a newborn specialist (baby doctor), a pediatrician with additional training (board-certified), who specializes in diagnosing and treating newborn diseases
Subspecialty consultant – physician who specializes in lung, heart, brain or nervous system diseases, in surgery of infants, gastro-intestinal problems and nutrition, kidney problems and problems of eyes, ears and upper airways
Nursing Staff – nurses trained to care for premature and sick babies
Registered Nurse (R.N.) – registered nurse, who performs and co-ordinates your baby’s daily care
Team Leader/charge nurse – experienced R.N. who leads the nursing shift
Primary Nurse – R.N. assigned to the care of your baby for the stay in the hospital
Nursing Educator – helps to assess, maintain and develop competency within the nursing staff to improve quality of patient care
Clinical Manager – responsible for delivery of patient care and operations of the unit
Lactation Consultant – assists new mothers in breastfeeding issues for the premature and acutely ill baby
Social Worker – assesses a family’s individual needs; provides support with practical, emotional or personal problems; helps the family to be fully prepared to take the baby home at discharge
Radiologist – helps with radiographic evaluation and diagnosis of babies (x-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, etc)
Pharmacist – helps with medications, intravenous fluids and intravenous nutrition
Respiratory Therapist – helps with babies’ breathing, oxygen needs and respiratory equipment
Transport Team – neonatal nurses and respiratory therapists trained in transport (ambulance or helicopter) of sick babies