Staff Nurse

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

Assists with the functioning of the NICU

Adherence to Nursing Clinical standards:

- Oriented to the NICU routine, equipment and type of neonates.
- Outstation Neonate Retrieval by Ambulance: provide nursing care through the retrieval, accompanies and assists.
- Complete the Nursing Assessment Guide within 15 minutes of neonate admission.
- Ensures the neonate is comfortable, implements safety measures for vulnerable neonates as per the policy.
- Ensures safety and security of neonates by following safety measures.
- Neonate condition updates to be shared twice a day with parents; change in condition to be informed immediately; provide comfort and emotional strength to parents.
- Review the doctor’s notes and the drug chart on admission and implement action as required.
- Prepares nursing care plans and render professional bedside nursing care.
- Ensure investigation slips are raised.
- Ensure all investigations are carried out as advised by the doctor, reports available on time for doctor’s perusal and further advice.
- Raise pharmacy indents, check on receipt, and stock in the bedside locker and medication trolley.
- Specific responsibility towards neonate physical needs:

- Feeding
- Position
- Medication dosage and calculation according to weight and body surface
- Monitor neonates on incubator and ventilator and inform abnormal findings.
- Responsible for checking and recording daily weight.
- Responsible for monitoring and maintaining normal oxygen saturation level.
- Administer on time medications and therapies.
- Check and record vital signs legibly and promptly.
- Assists the doctors in special procedures, dressings and rounds.

For the following procedures, ensure properly set procedure trolleys.
- Venopuncture
- Endotracheal intubation
- Catheterization of umbilical artery and vein
- Peripheral I.V. and arterial line insertion
- ICD insertion
- Lumbar puncture
- Assists the doctors in the management of the asphyxiated neonate, including resuscitation and stabilization.
- Coordinate procurement of blood and blood products for transfusion. Any reactions must be reported to treating consultant, IC & NS immediately.
- Completes the preoperative checklist before sending the neonate to operation theatre.
- Completes the transfer formalities as per the In-house Transfer Policy.
- Does not take verbal orders from Doctors except in emergency, to be followed by a written order before end of shift.
- Does not take verbal orders for diet unless urgent; to be followed up with written order.
- Knowledge on gestational age assessment, special problems of the premature, post-mature, small for gestational age, large for gestational age neonate.
- Follows universal precaution as per the unit protocol.
- Aware of the APGAR scoring performed.
- Trained in NALS & NRP.
- Handles with care and knowledge all gadgets used in neonate care.
- Have thorough knowledge on I.V. fluid and drug calculation.
- Administer drugs according to ‘Drug Administration Policy.’
- While administering high risk medicines, counter checked by a second nurse for the ’10 Medication Rights’ and complete documentation policy.
- Implement the policy for ‘Medications brought by patient’.
- Observe the neonate to ensure safe medication, no adverse reactions.
- Any errors in medication, adverse reaction or nursing intervention to be brought immediately to the notice of the In-Charge NICU and NS. In case of ADR, the respective form to be filled.
- To implement the following measures : Barrier Nursing, Neonate and Self Safety, Neonate Death protocol.
- Implement protocols of Infection control, hand washing, medications, narcotic policy, ICU, personal valuables, etc.
- Handle waste segregation and disposal as per the policy.
- Maintain personal, neonate and environmental hygiene.
- To be aware of NABH & NE standards and implement the same.
- Aware of neonate rights and preserve the same.
- Maintains confidentiality of neonate information: medical and personal; avoids any violation by ensuring no discussion of neonate identifiable information in non-secure areas.
- Provide health education to the mother and attendants on breastfeeding, additional feeding, safety measures, and effect of medication.
- To encourage, educate and assist mothers in breastfeeding.
- To prepare additional feed with strict aseptic technique as per the doctor’s written instruction.
- Ensure visitors follow Aseptic protocol when visiting NICU.
- Follow aseptic protocols when reporting for work in NICU; adhere to NICU attire policy.
- Maintains the medical and nursing records of neonates as per the institutional requirements.
- At discharge, obtain signature from the parents (father or mother) at the time of handing over baby.
- To carefully pack and hand over the body of the deceased; obtain signature from the parents (father or mother) at the time of handing over; assist with death certificate and other related documents.

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