There are many people involved in the care of your baby. To name a few, your interdisciplinary healthcare team consists of:
Parents — We encourage you to be involved in family-centered care. We believe that you are a critical part of your baby’s health and healing. We encourage you to visit frequently and call often for updates.
Neonatologists — AKA a “NICU doctor” or “Neo.” They are board-certified pediatricians trained to care for newborns who are ill and need special care. They make daily rounds to review your baby’s condition, record information in your baby’s chart and make any necessary changes in their medical care. Your neo may change throughout your baby’s stay to better provide service to and care for your baby.
Pediatric Residents — A medical doctor receiving special training to become a pediatrician. Residents are supervised by senior physicians, like a neonatologist. A residency program is usually three years long. First year residents are sometimes referred to as interns. Third year residents are sometimes called senior residents.
Fellow (in Neonatology) — A trained pediatrician who is receiving additional specialized training in the care of sick newborns.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNP) — A registered nurse with special training and an advanced degree in the care of newborn babies, especially ill, premature or high-risk newborns.
Registered Nurses (RN) — A licensed healthcare professional who has completed a nursing program. A NICU nurse has specific education and training in the care of premature and sick newborns.
Respiratory Care Practitioners/Respiratory Therapists (RCP/RT) — A licensed healthcare professional who has completed a respiratory care program. NICU RCPs are trained to care for premature and sick infants.
Lactation (or Breastfeeding) Consultants — An expert who educates and supports patient families and hospital staff related to all things pumping and breastfeeding.
Nursing Assistants (CNAs) — Provides patient care such as recording vital signs, feeding, bathing, changing diapers, and holding babies as directed and delegated by a licensed provider.
Transport Team — A team of RNs and RCPs specifically trained to safely transfer infants from one facility to another by air or ground transportation (ambulance).
Occupational Therapy (OT) — A licensed professional with special training in the care of NICU babies. An OT will help you and your baby with feeding readiness, movement patterns, development, and other sensory and motor skills. They mainly focus on the small/fine muscle groups.
Physical Therapists (PT) — A licensed professional with special training in the care of NICU babies. They will help your baby improve control of his/her large muscles and help with your baby’s developmental needs.
Dietitians (RD/RDN) — A healthcare professional with special knowledge about the nutrients needed for an infant’s healthy growth and development. Dietitians work with the doctor to ensure that your baby is getting sufficient nutrition and is not being over/undernourished.
Speech-Language Pathologists/Speech Therapists (SLP/ST) — A licensed professional who works to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders in children.
Social Workers — A licensed professional who specializes in helping you and your family cope with the emotional effects of your baby’s stay in the NICU. Social workers can help with financial resources and home support issues and help you plan for discharge.
Case Managers — Collaborates with the healthcare team and uses available resources to ensure that the care provided meets the desired patient outcome. Case managers also coordinate access to medical equipment, home health nurses, and supplies upon discharge. They interact with insurance agencies regarding medical necessity and length of stay and make referrals to CCS for eligible infants.
Pharmacist — A specialist who prepares and delivers medications.
NICU Cuddler — A volunteer who helps by holding your baby when you cannot be here. Cuddlers complete special training to learn how to safely hold your baby.
Parent Representatives — Promotes family-centered care practices by facilitating family support times, coordinating educational activities, serving as a liaison with community-based referrals and collaborating with the healthcare team to ensure that the needs of parents and families are met.
Radiology Technicians — A specially trained staff member who uses various pieces of equipment to safely take images of your baby for diagnostic purposes.
Radiologist — A doctor with specialized training who interprets and dictates the images taken by the radiology tech to diagnose and treat your baby.
Milk Technicians — A trained staff member who handles and prepares breast and donor milk for infants in the unit.
Healthcare Unit Coordinator (HUC) — Organizes non-patient care activities, provides clerical/secretarial support for the unit and manages patient medical records.
Other specialists that may be on your baby’s care team during his/her stay in the NICU:
ATTENDING PHYSICIAN
A doctor who has the primary responsibility for coordinating the medical care for a patient. In the NICU this will generally be the neonatologist.
CARDIOLOGIST
A medical doctor who specializes in the heart and circulation.
GENETICIST
Physician that deals with heredity, the variation of individuals, prognosis for development and function, and risks of recurrence of genetic conditions.
NEPHROLOGIST
A medical doctor who specializes in disorders of the kidneys.
NEUROLOGIST
A medical doctor who specializes in the brain and nervous system.
OPHTHALMOLOGIST
A medical doctor who specializes in disorders of the eye. He/she will perform ROP exams regularly to screen for, detect, and treat your baby for eye problems.
OTOLARYNGOLOGIST
A medical doctor who specializes in the ear, nose, and throat.
PEDIATRICIAN
A medical doctor who specializes in infants and children.