Neonatal Network Advanced Practice Provider

Vanderbilt University Medical Center•Nashville, TN

About The Position

The Neonatal Network Advanced Practice Provider (NP/PA) collaborates with neonatologists and a multidisciplinary healthcare team to provide specialized neonatal care across inpatient and telemedicine settings. The provider functions as an intensivist, managing critically ill and convalescing infants from admission to discharge, and supports the development, implementation, and optimization of regional neonatal network programs. These programs include telemedicine resuscitation, post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilation (PHVD) management, complex bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) patient intake and evaluation, and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) care coordination. The role uses advanced assessment, diagnostic, care coordination, communication, and program development skills to improve access to specialized neonatal services throughout the network. The provider works with multidisciplinary stakeholders to develop standardized clinical pathways, enhance care delivery processes, support quality improvement, and advance neonatal network goals. Responsibilities combine clinical care, telemedicine, and programmatic work. Hours consist of a mix of 8-, 10-, and/or 12-hour day shifts; weekend coverage may be required. Candidates must have at least two years of neonatal advanced practice experience and maintain Nurse Practitioner certification (NNP-BC preferred) or Physician Assistant certification with completion of a neonatal fellowship. A Master's or Doctoral degree in Nursing or Physician Assistant Studies is required.

Requirements

Master's or Doctoral degree in Nursing or Physician Assistant Studies.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner certification, Pediatric Acute Care Certification, or Physician Assistant certification with neonatal fellowship training.
Minimum of two years of neonatal or pediatric advanced practice experience.
Maintain applicable professional certification and licensure; listed certifications include Tennessee Licensed Nurse Practitioner, Tennessee Physician's Assistant Certified, and Tennessee Registered Nurse.
NRP, PALS, and BLS certifications.
Advanced procedure privileges consistent with institutional requirements.

Nice To Haves

NNP-BC certification is preferred.
Telemedicine consultation experience.
Experience caring for critically ill neonates in a Level III or IV NICU.
Experience with neonatal resuscitation, PHVD management, severe BPD, or ROP programs.
Quality improvement and program development experience.

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive histories, physical examinations, and assessments for acutely ill and medically complex neonatal patients.
Order, interpret, and manage diagnostic testing and therapeutic interventions.
Develop and implement evidence-based plans of care in collaboration with neonatologists and subspecialists.
Participate in neonatal stabilization, resuscitation, and advanced procedures consistent with approved privileges.
Partner with physician and operational leaders to develop, implement, evaluate, and sustain neonatal network programs and services.
Assist in designing and standardizing clinical pathways, workflows, and care coordination processes across the network.
Monitor program outcomes and identify opportunities for quality improvement, growth, and expansion of specialized neonatal services.
Participate in strategic planning, performance improvement, data review, and program evaluation activities.
Support education, stakeholder engagement, and adoption of evidence-based practices across referring facilities and network sites.
Provide programmatic support for the telemedicine consultation service; assist with clinical decision-making, escalation of care, and transfer planning.
Participate in education, simulation training, and quality improvement activities across the neonatal network.
Coordinate care for infants with PHVD and related neurologic conditions, monitoring clinical status, imaging results, and treatment plans in collaboration with neonatology, neurology, and neurosurgery teams.
Support standardized screening, surveillance, and treatment pathways for ventricular dilation.
Conduct intake evaluations for patients with severe and complex BPD, gathering, reviewing, and synthesizing medical histories, diagnostic studies, and outside records.
Coordinate multidisciplinary care involving pulmonology, cardiology, nutrition, developmental, and surgical services for complex BPD patients.
Facilitate ROP screening, follow-up, and treatment coordination; track appointments and ensure compliance with recommended ophthalmology evaluations.
Serve as a liaison among NICU teams, ophthalmologists, referring facilities, and families for ROP care.
Maintain effective communication with patients, families, referring providers, and multidisciplinary teams.
Complete timely and compliant documentation of clinical encounters, telemedicine consultations, procedures, and care coordination activities.
Participate in quality improvement, research, education, professional development, and departmental meetings.