Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

The role of the Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (ANNP) is a position with a high degree of autonomy and complex decision making and incorporates the skills of assessment, examination, diagnosis and treatment. DCHFT is a rural, district general hospital, with approximately 1700 births per year and a level 1 Special Care Baby Unit. ANNP's working here have a diverse role which may differ somewhat to ANNPs working in larger neonatal units. The role can vary day by day and hour by hour, depending on clinical demands and services requirements.

The ANNP balances the responsibility of oversight of the care of babies both on the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), Transitional Care (TC) and postnatal ward, as well as carrying the emergency neonatal resuscitation bleep and attending high risk deliveries. They provide advanced nursing care in accordance with all local and national guidelines and demonstrate a high level of specialist neonatal knowledge and skills.

They achieve this by working closely with both the antenatal midwives, postnatal team and neonatal nurses. They have the support of the wider paediatric medical team who, when required, assist and support with premature or unwell neonates.

The ANNP will be expected to undertake duties expected of Tier 2 practitioners as outlined by the British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) medical workforce standards and support the Tier 1 duties undertaken routinely by junior medical doctors, over a 24/7 rota. The ANNP will cross clinical boundaries between nursing and medical care, taking on aspects of the role and responsibilities formerly undertaken solely by medical staff. Clinical supervision will be provided by Paediatric Consultant.

DCHFT is a general district hospital, providing care to families across West Dorset.

It has a birth rate of approximately 1600-1700 infants a year.

It has a dedicated level 1 SCBU which routinely cares for infants >32/40 and >1250g.

Cot capacity is between 9-12 infants, depending on acuity.

It is part of the Thames Valley and Wessex Neonatal ODN.

Stabilisation, intensive and high dependency care is delivered when required, whilst supporting parents through the necessary transfer to other hospitals for ongoing care.

Developmental care of infants is paramount, and the team is augmented by our AHP colleagues form occupational health and physiotherapy.

There is a newly developed Transitional Care model, which shares care with the midwifery colleagues.

Family integrated care is our aim for all babies and DCH prides itself on its parents' facilities to help achieve this.

Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation work is underway on SCBU.

Bereavement care is supported by the colleagues from the paediatric team and either the dedicated bereavement suite on the children's ward or the facilities on SCBU are utilised, dependent on parental wishes.

Because of the nature of the care delivered at DCH the practitioner will have to be able to demonstrate clinical expertise, competence, confidence and be able to work within an autonomous and defined scope of practice.

Teaching and support of colleagues is a routine part of the ANNP role at DCH. Ranging from supervising nursing and midwifery students, assisting with the induction of new medical staff, teaching on midwifery emergency situation training days, partaking and leading simulation training for the neonatal team or delivering more formal teaching sessions to preceptor midwives. This list is not exhaustive!

Non-clinical time is allocated to allow the ANNP to undertake managerial and governance responsibilities, in support of their ongoing requirements of the four pillars of advanced clinical practice. This includes the writing and reviewing of guidelines and protocols, audit and data review, compiling of presentations for local and regional governance and mortality and morbidity meetings and service development with other members of the wider Trust team. Again, this list is not exhaustive!

In summary, an ANNP at DCH has a diverse and exciting job role with no two days looking the same. The successful candidate will need to be able to demonstrate flexibility, good time management, ability to delegate, excellent clinical skills, excellent team working and team leading capabilities, and high level communication skills. They will act as a point of contact for midwifery and neonatal staff, answering questions, undertaking tasks and reassuring the team.