A neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who manages the care of critically ill infants. These clinicians usually work in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and provide life-saving interventions during delivery and throughout the newborn's first few weeks of life. If you're seeking one of these specialist providers, a well-written neonatal nurse practitioner job description can help attract the most highly qualified candidates.
In this sample job description template, we'll highlight the qualities, skills, and behaviors you should look for when recruiting NNP candidates. We'll also provide tips on how to advertise your position to appeal to top applicants.
Before you create your job description, you'll want to browse local NNP job postings to ensure your salary and benefits offerings align with industry standards. Then, once you're ready to move forward in the recruitment process, you'll want to ask tailored neonatal nurse practitioner interview questions to help you identify the best candidate.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Tips: A job description for a neonatal nurse practitioner should begin with a brief introduction to your facility. Outline the basics of your position and showcase any honors or accolades awarded to your team. List your organization's mission, vision, and values to show candidates what it's like to work at your organization.
Template:
Here at [facility name], we're looking for an experienced neonatal nurse practitioner to join our NICU team. This role includes three 12-hour day shifts per week in our downtown children's hospital, where you’ll support the safe delivery of quality healthcare to some of our facility’s youngest patients.
As a Magnet-designated hospital, we take pride in our commitment to provide compassionate, patient-centered care and have been ranked among the nation's "Safest Pediatric Hospitals" for the last 15 years. We know that providing high-quality care begins with our clinical team, which is why we offer competitive salaries, benefits, and professional development opportunities to our valued nurses.
Curious about what it takes to join our supportive team? Continue reading below as we outline the neonatal nurse practitioner education requirements, skills, and qualifications we're seeking.
Benefits
Tips: Now that you've captured the attention of prospective applicants, you'll want to elaborate on your organization's employee benefits. In this section of your neonatal nurse practitioner job description, list a variety of professional, financial, and lifestyle perks to appeal to candidates with varied interests.
Template:
- Competitive pay with relocation bonus
- Health, dental, and vision benefits
- Malpractice insurance coverage
- FSA/HSA options
- 401(k) matching and access to our pension program
- Paid vacation and holidays, family leave, sick time
- Flexible scheduling options
- Paid professional association dues and continuing education
- Free on-site, secure employee parking
Duties and Responsibilities
Tips: Here, you'll want to review the tasks that a neonatal nurse practitioner (vs. neonatalogist) is expected to perform. The neonatal nurse practitioner scope of practice varies depending on state nursing practice regulations and facility protocols. So, while you don't need to list every role requirement, you should outline the key responsibilities and practice autonomy associated with your specific NNP opening. Focusing on the most frequently performed tasks also helps demonstrate what a normal shift might look like to prospective candidates.
Template:
Neonatal nurse practitioners at our organization are expected to perform the following duties:
- Assist team during complex infant delivery
- Lead or assist in neonatal resuscitation efforts
- Manage intravenous and oral feeding regimens
- Place umbilical lines and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs)
- Interpret vital signs, lab results, imaging, and other diagnostic tests, and identify necessary interventions
- Prescribe medications to treat a variety of newborn conditions, including prematurity, congenital heart defects, respiratory distress, and chromosomal abnormalities
- Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to establish an individualized plan of care for each patient
- Provide education and support to parents and family members
Compensation and Schedule
Tips: As a facility leader, it may seem premature to provide compensation details in a job description of a neonatal nurse practitioner. However, studies show that candidates won't even consider applying for a position if salary information isn't listed. You should at least provide a working neonatal nurse practitioner salary range for the position to give candidates an idea of what they'd expect to make working at your facility.
You'll also want to specify the location NNPs would be expected to report to and the shift schedule they'll be expected to work. If the position requires additional night, weekend, overtime, or holiday hours, list those here as well.
Template:
- Starting salary of $130,000, with adjustments subject to education level and relevant clinical experience
- Annual salary step increases are offered after strong employee performance reviews
- 3 scheduled 12-hour shifts (7a-7p) per week
- 2 weekends and 2 overnight call shifts per month
- No holiday hours required
- Bi-weekly pay schedule
Qualifications and Skills
Tips: In this section of your neonatal nurse practitioner job description, you'll want to clarify the degree, license, certifications, and clinical experience required for success within this position. Be sure to denote which qualifications are required and which are preferred to encourage all qualified NNPs to apply.
Template:
Required Qualifications:
- MSN from an accredited neonatal nurse practitioner program
- Active and unencumbered RN license
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (NNP-BC)
- Minimum 5 years RN experience at level III or IV NICU
- BLS, PALS, and NRP certified
- Strong critical-thinking and communication skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- DNP graduate degree from an accredited NNP program
- Previous NNP working experience within a NICU setting
- Previous experience charting with the Epic charting system
- Bilingual in English and Spanish
Call to Action
Tips: Now that you've reviewed the logistics of the position, you'll want to guide interested candidates straight to your online application. In the final section of your neonatal nurse practitioner job description, include a call to action button labeled "Apply Now" or "Click Here to Apply" to help them get started right away.
Template:
Ready to take the next step in your neonatal nurse practitioner career? Click "Apply Now" to upload your resume and cover letter straight to our online application form. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing your application!
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