Neonatal Medical Director (NMD)

Neonatal Medical Director (NMD). The NMD must be a physician who is a is a board-eligible/certified neonatologist or board-certified pediatrician with sufficient training and expertise to assume responsibility of care for infants who require Level II care, including endotracheal intubation, assisted ventilation, and CPAP management, or equivalent. and maintains a current status of successful completion of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and completes annual continuing medical education specific to neonatology. If the neonatologist or pediatrician is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, they will meet maintenance of certification requirement. The NMD must demonstrate effective administrative skills and oversight of the Neonatal PI Plan. If the NMD and/or on-site provider is not a neonatologist, the privileged care provider must maintain a consultative relationship with a board certified or eligible neonatologist at a higher-level neonatal facility; and the facility must have a written policy or guideline that defines the criteria for neonatologist consultation at a higher-level neonatal facility. Privileged Care Providers with pediatric- or neonatal-specific training qualified to manage the care of infants with mild to moderate critical conditions, including emergencies, will be continuously available, on-site or on-call and available to arrive on-site within an appropriate time frame as defined by the facility’s policies and procedures. 1. If the on-site or on-call provider is not a physician, a written policy will be in place that defines the criteria for notification and time frame for on-site physician presence, and a tracking mechanism for compliance is required; 2. If an infant is maintained on a ventilator, a pediatric- or neonatal-specific privileged care provider who can manage respiratory emergencies will be immediately available on-site; 3. Continuously provided neonatal care for the last consecutive two years and has experience and training in the care of neonates/infants, including assisted endotracheal ventilation and NCPAP management; 4. Maintains a current status of successful completion of the NRP or a department-approved equivalent course; and 5. Must complete annual continuing medical education specific to the care of neonates. The facility will establish a written policy for backup privileged care provider coverage that establishes flexibility for variable census and acuity. This policy will document the criteria for notification and time frame for onsite presence, be based on allocating the appropriate number of competent medical providers to a care situation, attend to a safe and high-quality work environment, and be operationally reviewed annually for adequacy and adherence. The MMD may also serve as the NMD.