Neonatal Nurse Job Description Template

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Written by Danielle Roques, BSN, RN Content Writer, IntelyCare
A neonatal nurse checks on a newborn baby.

Neonatal nurses are highly skilled clinicians who care for newborn infants. These RNs assist during infant delivery, stabilize newborns after birth, and teach parents how to safely care for their baby. Administrators may find it challenging to recruit nurses who are equipped to handle the job’s physical and emotional demands. Luckily, developing a well-written neonatal nurse job description can help hiring managers recruit a clinician worthy of the position.

In this sample job description, we’ll explain how you can advertise your position and appeal to top applicants. We’ll also include a downloadable template to show you what your finished job description can look like.

Before drafting your job posting, it’s important to gain insight into the neonatal nurse job market. Conduct research on neonatal nurse jobs in your area to ensure that the salary, benefits, and scheduling options you offer are competitive. Then, once you’ve created a compelling job description, be sure to prepare targeted neonatal nurse interview questions to help you identify quality candidates.

Neonatal Nurse

Tips: When introducing your position, it’s important to start out with a brief description of the role and the level of experience you’re looking for. Then, be sure to showcase any facility accolades or awards to further attract qualified candidates to the position.

Some clinicians may read your job description and think that your organization is looking to hire a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP). To prevent confusion and ensure that the applicants you interview are aware of the position’s unique requirements, you’ll want to distinguish the differences between your neonatal nurse job description and a job description of a neonatal nurse practitioner.

Template:

Here at [facility name], we’re looking to hire a neonatal nurse to work in our labor and delivery unit. This position is open to experienced neonatal nurses and new graduates who have student nurse experience working with children or infants. As the newest member of our neonatology team, you’d be expected to work three 12-hour night shifts (7p-7a) a week.

At [facility name], we know that high-quality clinical care starts by supporting our nursing team. That’s why we’re proud to offer exceptional salaries and benefits to all full-time staff. If you’d like to work at the “Best Place to Have a Baby in Virginia,” continue reading below as we highlight our neonatal nurse job duties, licensure expectations, and scheduling requirements.

Benefits

Tips: Here, you’ll want to boast about your organization’s employee benefits package. Highlight an array of professional, financial, and lifestyle incentives to entice nurses to apply. Employee benefits tend to be the same for all full-time nursing positions, regardless of whether you’re posting a neonatal nurse job description or an advanced neonatal nurse practitioner job description.

Template:

  • Competitive pay
  • Health, dental, and vision benefits
  • FSA/HSA options
  • Paid vacation and holidays, family leave, sick time
  • 401(k) matching
  • Subsidized public transportation
  • Discounts for local restaurants, gyms, and amusement parks
  • Paid continuing education credits
  • $5,000 annual tuition reimbursement

Duties and Responsibilities

Tips: Candidates may be curious: What kind of neonatal nurse responsibilities and daily activities are carried out at your facility? What level of care do your neonatal nurses provide? Answering these questions in this section of your job description can help provide clarity to potential applicants. Also, be sure to differentiate the duties of a neonatal nurse from those of a neonatal nurse practitioner.

Job descriptions don’t need to provide a comprehensive list of job expectations. Instead, list frequently performed neonatal nurse tasks to give candidates a better understanding of what it’s like to work at your facility.

Template:

Neonatal nurses at our organization are expected to perform the following duties:

  • Assist during infant delivery and provide resuscitative care when necessary
  • Collect laboratory samples and interpret results
  • Monitor and document infant vital signs
  • Administer necessary medications, vaccines, IV fluids, and vitamins
  • Help with with newborn feeding, diaper changes, and bathing
  • Educate new parents on how to appropriately care for their newborn
  • Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to establish a plan of care

Compensation and Schedule

Tips: In this section of your job neonatal nurse job description, you’ll want to specify your organization’s neonatal nurse salary along with any opportunities for extra pay. You’ll also need to highlight any scheduling requirements for the position. Be sure to outline whether the nurse will be expected to work day shift, night shift, or rotating shifts.

Template:

  • Our neonatal nurse salary starts at $85,000, with adjustments subject to education level and relevant leadership experience
  • 3 scheduled 12-hour night shifts per week (7p-7a)
  • 2 scheduled weekend on-call shifts (7p-7a) per month
  • Overtime, holiday, and incentive pay available
  • Weekly pay periods

Neonatal Nurse Qualifications and Skills

Tips: Neonatal nurses work in a variety of clinical settings, including:

  • Labor and delivery wards
  • Neonatal intensive care units
  • Postpartum recovery areas
  • Birthing centers
  • Pediatric transport teams

You’ll want to make sure you clarify your facility’s unique neonatal nurse requirements to ensure that the candidates who apply have the qualifications necessary for safe patient care. Differentiate preferred and required qualifications to avoid turning away nurses who may have limited experience but are passionate and excited to learn with your team.

Template:

Required Qualifications:

  • Active and unencumbered RN license
  • ADN required, BSN preferred
  • BLS, PALS, and NRP certified
  • At least 2 years of neonatal or pediatric nursing experience

Preferred Qualifications:

  • At least 5 years of neonatal nursing experience
  • RNC-NIC or CCRN (neonatal) certification
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish

Call to Action

Tips: At the end of your neonatal nurse job description, nurses who are interested in your position will be curious about how to apply. Include a link labeled “Apply Here” or “Click Here to Apply” to take them straight to the online application. By making the experience quick and easy, you can optimize your candidate pool and ensure those who want to apply don’t get frustrated or confused during the application process.

Template:

Ready to make an impact on the lives of newborn patients and their families? Start the next phase of your neonatal nursing career today by clicking “Apply Now.” The entire application process takes less than 10 minutes. Thank you for your interest — we look forward to hearing from you!

Find Qualified Clinicians for Every Hiring Need

Once you’ve completed your neonatal nurse job description, you’re well on your way to attracting qualified applicants to your position. By posting your vacancies to the nation’s leading healthcare hiring board, your job will be seen by over 1 million qualified professionals looking for work.


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