The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Department Manager has responsibility for the administration, organization and professional management of the NICU.  Specifically, the position is accountable for the ongoing evaluation of unit operations and quality outcomes; prepares and is accountable for the operational and capital budgets for all areas of responsibility; and ensures that all services meet the needs of physicians, patients, families, and ancillary departments and staff.  This position serves as a liaison between Medical Staff and Administration and is accountable to the Country, State and Federal agencies as well as Joint Commission for maintaining compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and standards, and contributing quality patient outcomes while consistently maintaining the highest level of customer service.

AHMC ARMC has a CCS approved Community Level NICU.  The responsibilities of the Community NICU nurse manager are clearly delineated in the California Children’s Services Manual of Procedures Provider Standards issued 1/1/99.  These responsibilities include, at a minimum, personnel, fiscal and material management and coordination of the quality improvement program for the NICU.

The NICU Department Manager is responsible for managing the clinical nursing practice in the NICU; coordination and assessment of critical care educational development and clinical competency of the nursing staff and for ensuring continued neonatal critical care nursing competency through educational programs for both the newly hired and experienced nursing staff; consultation with staff on complex neonatal critical care nursing issues; oversight of comprehensive parent and/or primary caretaker education activities; and ensuring the implementation of a coordinated and effective discharge planning program. 

In addition, this position has responsibility for operational oversight and direction of the following:

• Neonatal Transport Program with a written neonatal transport plan that includes a summary of the Neonatal Transport Training Program; annual evaluation and documentation of competency in neonatal transport of the neonatal transport team members; requirement of a minimum number of preceptored neonatal transports for new neonatal team members, and maintenance of written records of each neonatal transport completed which much be available for review by the CCS program staff.
• High Risk Infant Follow-up Program which ensures that all high risk infants discharged from the NICU are followed in a program that conforms with the CCS high risk infant eligibility criteria and components of services.
• As a part of the Regional Cooperation Agreement, works with CHOC’s NICU team for joint education and training of perinatal health professions; joint development of guidelines for consultation by perinatal, neonatal and other specialty disciplines as necessary; joint development of guidelines for maternal and neonatal patient referral and transport to and from each facility; joint identification, development and review of protocols, policies and procedures related to the care of the high risk obstetric and neonatal patient; and joint review of outcome date, according to CCS requirements. This is accomplished in the Morbidity and Mortality Conferences that are held at least quarterly.
• Active participation in the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative (CPQCC) and Vermont Oxford Network in the review of all infants who meet designated criteria. Responsibilities include data collection and analysis of both “Big Baby” and “Small Baby” data.
• Special projects may be assigned as necessary that pertain to overall staffing and operations.

1. Licensed RN with minimum of 3 years management responsibility and clinical related experience primarily within the NICU Service Line.
2. Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing or Business required; Master’s Degree highly preferred.
3. Current certification in Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing from a nationally recognized accrediting organization, e.g. the National Certification Corporation (NCC) preferred.
4. Minimum of 3 years clinical neonatal nursing experience, at least one of which must be in a facility with an NICU that is equivalent to a Regional or Community Level NICU.
5. Evident of current successful completion of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program course of the AAP and AHA.
6. Certified as a Regional Neonatal Resuscitation Provider Instructor preferred. 
7. Demonstrated leadership experience including personnel management, cost reduction, productivity enhancement, and interdisciplinary practice with emphasis on quality/performance improvement within designated department responsibilities.
8. Experienced in managing care issues related to the neonate (birth to 1 month old) and child (1 to 14 years old).
9. Education and experience in Process Improvement, Change Theory and Team Building.
10. Experience in working and problem solving with physicians, administration, and hospital staff.
11. Clinical background with sound clinical assessment skills, along with the ability to make independent decisions regarding patient care.
12. Highly developed sense of initiative and flexibility, along with good judgment and analytical skills.
13. A management style that is open, team-oriented, collaborative, and based on trust and personal integrity.
14. Effective motivational, written, and verbal communication skills.
15. Experience with technology and ability to participate actively in the selection and purchase of capital equipment.
16. Comprehensive knowledge of regulatory requirements including Title 22 and Joint Commission.