In theNeonatal Intensive Care Nursery, we provide critical, life-saving newborn care. We are a level IV NICU with 53 licensed beds. We are the referral center for the region, caring for the most acutely ill and vulnerable patients. From the smallest premature newborns with complicated heart disease, we care for babies with every neonatal condition. 

NPCN is a step down unit from the NICU. NPCN cares for Level II and III babies including but not limited to trachs, ostomies, pre-ops, PCVCs and PIVs, High Flow Nasal Canula, babies on at least 50% enteral feedings, NAS, etc. The unit is licensed for 32 beds and have the capacity to go up to 36 babies when NICU is above capacity as well. NPCN receives babies from the newborn nursery and transfers from LCH NICU as well as outlying hospitals. NPCN see much of the same diagnoses as the NICU. 

Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital (LCH) has taken the community to another level of service in order to provide care for the growing population of children in our region. At 247 beds, LCH is the largest children’s hospital between Atlanta and Washington DC. It serves high patient acuity as the flagship children’s hospital within the innovative Atrium Health and offers a full complement of over 125 pediatric subspecialists in over 25 different pediatric specialties. There are 4 pediatric hospitalist teams, a 20-bed PICU (including Cardiac ICU), an 85-bed NICU, and an inpatient pediatric rehabilitation facility. Levine Children’s also has the region’s first 24/7 emergency room just for kids, staffed by doctors trained in pediatric emergency medicine. LCH has repeatedly been ranked among the “Best Children’s Hospitals” in the nation by US News & World Report.

Job Summary

Functions as the primary family liaison responsible for providing anticipatory guidance and support for families of patients experiencing extended hospitalizations in the Neonatal areas. The role begins at the time of the patient/family admission and continues through the journey of the patient/family hospitalization. The Family Navigator partners with and guides the family through the system in a consistent, highly supportive, and personal manner while collaborating with multidisciplinary team members. He/she provides information and interventions necessary to meet the individual needs of each family served while addressing family support, child development and transition issues. The role of the Family Navigator facilitates parent participation and addresses parent concerns and/or considerations and therefore, increases the efficiency, quality, and overall satisfaction of care.

Essential Functions

• Partners with family to serve as that consistent health care professional that provides anticipatory guidance and support throughout the patient/family’s hospitalization
• Orients new families to unit services, daily schedules, protocols, and healthcare team
• Facilitates weekly meetings with parents to provide education and support based on individualized family needs
• Provides a standardized series of consistent information for guidance through the hospitalization process always sensitive to family needs
• Offers information in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team to educate families about care giving techniques, development, parenting skills, medical conditions, and support services in the community
• Coaches the family through the hospital experience by maintaining constant contact throughout hospitalization
• Serves as a liaison for the family, with physicians and multidisciplinary team to help obtain/expedite recommendations for timely and appropriate patient care
• Serves as an advocate and communication bridge between the family and healthcare team
• Addresses parent concerns and considerations that impact overall satisfaction of care
• Expedites the discharge process by providing parent education and facilitating discharge requirements
• Identifies family priorities, resources and concerns as related to having a child with complex medical needs and prolonged hospitalizations
• Bridges the gap from the hospital to the next level of care by sharing community resources, collaborating with follow-up coordinators, and completing post discharge phone calls
• Collects data of parental participation in the program for the purpose of outcome measurement and program evaluation

Physical Requirements

Must be able to handle a fast-paced environment and work independently. He/she must be able to communicate clearly, verbally and in writing. He/she must be able to make sound decisions within limited time elements and to carry out responsibilities in a professional manner. He/she must be able to work effectively with other professionals. He/she must be able to lift 20 pounds in weight.

Education, Experience and Certifications

Minimum requirement is a Bachelor's degree with a major in early childhood special education, early childhood education, child and family development, psychology, social work, nursing, speech and language, occupational therapy, physical therapy or related field; or Master's degree in psychology, social work, education or a related human services field with coursework in assessment and treatment of young children with special needs. Preference will be given to candidates having experience working in a hospital neonatal intensive care environment, experience providing developmental education and support to families, or experience in an early intervention or similar program.