Neonatal Intensive Care Unit APP (Neonatal Nurse Practitioner or Neonatal Physician Assistant)

Denver Health and Hospital Authority•Denver, CO

About The Position

Denver Health is recruiting a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner or Neonatal Physician Assistant with completed NICU-specific training to join its 25-bed, level IIIB Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Under the supervision of a Neonatologist, the practitioner provides care for infants, including leadership of high-risk deliveries, admissions, daily rounds, procedures, communication with families, and discharge planning. The role also includes consultation for antepartum birthing patients and nursery patients; the NICU APP team does not provide routine nursery coverage. The practitioner works in a multidisciplinary, teaching-hospital environment alongside medical residents and, occasionally, medical students, with opportunities to teach. The role also contributes to the institution’s mission through quality-improvement work, committee participation, medical education, and other scholarly activities. Denver Health’s inpatient pediatric department includes the NICU, PICU, Pediatric General Ward, and Well-Baby Nursery, and is a training site for University of Colorado School of Medicine residency programs. The NICU has approximately 450 admissions annually and cares for patients as young as 23 weeks. Available care includes invasive and high-frequency mechanical ventilation, total-body hypothermia for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and nitric oxide therapy for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. The unit has access to pediatric subspecialty services and provides family support through a NICU psychologist, child life specialist, social worker, complex discharge coordinator, and lactation consultants. The provider team includes neonatologists, pediatric hospitalists, and APPs. APPs and neonatal hospitalists work a combination of 24-hour and night shifts so that two trained NICU providers are available for high-risk deliveries and emergencies. The position’s shift is listed as varying. Denver Health is an academic, integrated safety-net healthcare system committed to health equity and service to underserved populations. Practitioners may apply for Clinical Instructor status at the University of Colorado School of Medicine if they wish to pursue a formal academic pathway. The role is regular employment, with an advertised salary of $145,900–$170,000 per year. Applicants must apply online; a CV may also be submitted to the Manager of Provider Recruitment.

Requirements

Completed NICU-specific training as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner or Neonatal Physician Assistant.
Master’s degree required.
State medical board license as a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner (NNP) required.
Current BLS/CPR certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross required.
BLS and NRP certification required; the listing separately specifies BLS as required and notes PALS is optional but encouraged.
Knowledge of medical principles and procedures.
Skill in performing physical examinations and formulating assessments and treatment plans.
Ability to order appropriate diagnostic studies to aid diagnosis.
Knowledge of appropriate medication administration and prescribing.
Ability to exercise initiative and judgment in selecting appropriate treatment.
Ability to respond appropriately in emergency situations.
Computer skills, including ability to navigate an electronic health record.
No previous work experience required.

Nice To Haves

PALS certification is optional but encouraged.
Interest in pursuing Clinical Instructor status at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, if a formal academic pathway is desired.

Responsibilities

Provide critical and intensive care and discharge planning for NICU patients as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Attend and lead high-risk deliveries in accordance with NRP.
Perform neonatal intensive-care procedures, including newborn resuscitation, umbilical line placement, endotracheal intubation, lumbar puncture, pneumothorax decompression, and circumcision.
Provide consultation for antepartum birthing patients and patients in the nursery.
Use the EPIC electronic health record for order entry, documentation, and communication.
Participate in mission-related work, including quality-improvement projects, medical education, committee work, or other scholarly activity.
Communicate with families and participate in patient admissions and daily rounds.
Complete timely documentation, respond to clinical messages during work hours, and manage professional responsibilities through email and internet calendars.
Contribute to the institution’s mission and vision and participate in interdisciplinary work as appropriate.

Benefits

Seven paid holidays plus one floating holiday each year.
Paid time off; the listing describes starting accrual of 21 days per year increasing with employment, and elsewhere describes 28 days per year inclusive of vacation, personal/sick time, and seven holidays.
100% paid parental leave for up to six weeks.
Retirement plan with employer contribution or matching up to 9.5%.
Dependent Care FSA and Health Care FSA.
Employer-paid basic life and disability insurance, with additional coverage available.
High-value, affordable medical coverage and medical, dental, and vision plans.
Occurrence-based malpractice insurance fully covered, including tail coverage.
Five days of CME time and a $3,500 annual CME allowance.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, with student loan coaching and assistance navigating the program.
DEA fee exemption.
On-site employee fitness center and RESTORE Center well-being programs.
Free RTD EcoPass for public transportation.
Childcare discount programs and discounts or perks on brands and travel.
Tuition reimbursement and assistance.
Education, coaching, and professional-development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center.
Career advancement pathways, professional clinical advancement program, and shared governance.
Eligibility for National Health Service Corps and Colorado Health Service Corps programs.