Job Responsibilities – NICU Nurse
Medcare Hospital, Sharjah
- Provide safe, compassionate, and evidence-based nursing care to neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), including premature, low-birth-weight, critically ill, and high-risk newborns.
- Conduct comprehensive neonatal assessments, monitor vital signs, neurological status, respiratory patterns, oxygen saturation, temperature, blood glucose, intake and output, and other relevant clinical parameters.
- Continuously monitor neonates for changes in condition and promptly identify signs of respiratory distress, apnea, bradycardia, desaturation, sepsis, hypoglycemia, jaundice, feeding intolerance, seizures, and other neonatal complications.
- Provide specialized care to neonates receiving respiratory support, including oxygen therapy, CPAP, high-flow oxygen, mechanical ventilation, and other prescribed respiratory interventions, within the scope of nursing practice.
- Safely administer prescribed medications, IV fluids, antibiotics, nutritional therapy, blood products, and other treatments while adhering to medication-safety protocols and accurate weight-based dosage calculations.
- Maintain and monitor peripheral IV lines, central venous access, arterial lines, feeding tubes, urinary catheters, and other invasive devices in accordance with hospital policies and infection-control standards.
- Assist neonatologists and other healthcare professionals with neonatal procedures, including intubation, central-line placement, blood sampling, lumbar puncture, and other procedures as required.
- Respond promptly to neonatal emergencies and participate effectively in neonatal resuscitation and emergency interventions according to established hospital protocols.
- Operate and monitor specialized NICU equipment, including incubators, radiant warmers, cardiorespiratory monitors, infusion pumps, syringe pumps, phototherapy units, CPAP systems, ventilators, and other neonatal equipment.
- Maintain appropriate thermoregulation and developmental care practices for premature and critically ill neonates.
- Provide prescribed enteral, oral, gavage, and parenteral nutritional support while monitoring feeding tolerance, nutritional status, hydration, and growth.
- Support breastfeeding and expressed breast milk practices and provide appropriate education to mothers and families regarding neonatal feeding.
- Implement strict infection-prevention and control measures, including hand hygiene, aseptic technique, appropriate use of personal protective equipment, and proper care of invasive devices.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organized NICU environment and ensure neonatal equipment, emergency supplies, and resuscitation equipment are readily available and functional.
- Assess and manage neonatal pain and discomfort using appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions as prescribed and according to hospital protocols.
- Provide developmental and family-centered care, including appropriate positioning, minimal handling, kangaroo mother care when clinically appropriate, and reduction of excessive light and noise.
- Educate and support parents and families regarding the newborn's condition, treatment plan, feeding, hygiene, breastfeeding, kangaroo mother care, medication, and discharge requirements within the nurse's scope of practice.
- Maintain clear, accurate, and timely documentation of assessments, nursing interventions, medications, procedures, patient responses, and clinical changes in the patient's medical record.
- Provide comprehensive and structured handover to ensure continuity and safety of neonatal care during shift changes.
- Communicate significant changes in the neonate's condition promptly to the neonatologist, physician, nurse-in-charge, and relevant multidisciplinary team members.
- Participate in multidisciplinary rounds and collaborate effectively with neonatologists, pediatricians, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, dietitians, lactation consultants, and other healthcare professionals.
- Follow Medcare Hospital policies, clinical guidelines, patient-safety standards, infection-control procedures, medication-management policies, and applicable UAE healthcare regulations.
- Maintain patient confidentiality and ensure that all information relating to neonates and their families is handled professionally and in accordance with applicable privacy requirements.
- Participate in quality-improvement activities, clinical audits, incident reporting, infection-control initiatives, and patient-safety programs within the NICU.
- Maintain competency in neonatal nursing procedures, emergency response, resuscitation, respiratory support, medication administration, and operation of specialized NICU equipment.
- Participate in mandatory training, continuing professional development programs, competency assessments, and departmental educational activities.
- Assist in orientation and clinical support of newly appointed nurses and nursing students when assigned.
- Ensure proper identification of neonates before medications, procedures, feeding, specimen collection, and other clinical interventions.
- Monitor and maintain accurate records of controlled medications, emergency drugs, equipment checks, and other departmental requirements according to hospital policy.
- Identify and report patient-safety incidents, medication errors, equipment malfunction, infection risks, and other hazards promptly through the appropriate reporting channels.
- Contribute to maintaining a culture of teamwork, professionalism, respect, compassion, and patient-centered care within the NICU.
- Perform other nursing duties and responsibilities as assigned by the NICU Nurse Manager, Nurse-in-Charge, or authorized clinical leadership, consistent with professional scope of practice.