Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the pediatrics nurse practitioner job description, including the duties, tasks, and responsibilities they perform.

It also highlights the major requirements you may be expected to meet to be hired for the pediatrics nurse practitioner role.

What Does a Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner Do?

The pediatric nurse practitioner is an Advance Practice Registered Nurse specialized in the care of children from birth through young adult.

Pediatric nurse practitioners utilize an in-depth knowledge and experience in pediatric primary health care in providing child care services and prevention/management of common pediatric acute illnesses and chronic conditions with the goal of supporting optimal health of children within the context of their family, community, and environmental setting.

Their job description entails delivering a range of acute, chronic, and preventive healthcare services.

Pediatric nurse practitioners are typically classified by whether they practice in an acute care or primary care setting.

Their role includes conducting assessment on clients, synthesizing and analyzing data, as well as understanding and applying nursing principles at an advanced level.

They function as an expert providing teaching and guidance; they work effectively with clients, families, and members of the health care team; and also manage clients’ physical and psychosocial health-illness status.

Their job requires them to utilize research skills, analyzing multiple sources of data, identifying alternative possibilities as to the nature of a health care problem, and selecting appropriate treatment.
Pediatric nurse practitioners are required to make independent decisions in solving complex client care problems.

They also undertake diagnosing patients, prescribing, administering, and dispensing therapeutic measures.

Their work description also entails consulting with or referring to other health care providers in cases that exceed the limits of their knowledge and experience.

They are required to perform job tasks independently and in collaboration with the neonatologist.

To become or work as a pediatrics nurse practitioner requires a Master’s of Science Degree in nursing, as well as Certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

It also requires possessing some role based competencies to be successful on the job.

Interested persons for the career must possess strong leadership, collaborative and effective communication skills.

They must also possess the ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment.

Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner Job Description Example/Sample/Template

Pediatrics nurse practitioners perform various functions in providing patient care to children ranging from new born to young adult population.

They provide both primary and acute healthcare depending on the settings they practice.

The key tasks, duties, and responsibilities that typically form the pediatrics nurse practitioner job description are listed below:

• Serves pediatric patients in the outpatient and inpatient settings, without the aid of an OB
• Responsible for discharging new born in the hospital during morning shifts
• Educates new parents prior to discharge and assessing each newborn
• Daily conducts assessments and creates a medical plan of care for hospitalized patients on admission, as well as upon discharge
• Determines diagnosis and appropriate intervention by collecting and synthesizing data from historical information, diagnostic tests, therapeutic interventions, and physical examination
• Works closely with nursing staff, NNPs, and social workers in creating a comprehensive treatment plan for patients and their families during hospitalization
• Continually maintains clinical skill proficiency and knowledge base needed for this patient population; including IV starts, Arterial sticks, PICC lines, and lumbar punctures
• Consults on patients in the newborn nursery when required to do so
• Provides prompt assistance with questions, concerns, and problems from family and hospital staff while on duty
• Notifies the attending physician of any significant change in medical status of the hospitalized patients
• Responsible for providing timely cardiopulmonary resuscitation when indicated
• Adheres to hospital and departmental policies and procedures in all aspects of medical care
• Maintains privacy and confidentiality of all medical and personal information
• Conducts rounds at least once a day on all patients, but additional patient contact will be determined on the basis of the patient’s clinical status
• Appropriately documents all medical problems, assessment, and action taken thereof on all inpatients and outpatient in accordance with applicable policies.

Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner Requirements – Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success

When recruiting for the job of a pediatric nurse practitioner, employers commonly require that you possess certain skills, abilities, knowledge, and experience, that can enable you perform the obligations, objectives, and purpose of the position effectively.

Shown below are major requirements you may be asked to meet by most employers if you are seeking the pediatric nurse practitioner job:

• Education: A minimum of a Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) is required to work as a pediatric nurse practitioner. Being a graduate of an approved Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) training program is also required
• Certifications and Licenses: Pediatric nurse practitioners must possess a Registered Nurse (RN) License and Advance practice recognition applicable in the state
• They are also required to be certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), or be actively seeking initial certification, meeting all criteria for eligibility for initial examination as outlined by the ANCC and/or AANP
• CPR, BLS, and PALS certification may also be required
• Experience: They may be required to possess a minimum of two (2) years clinical experience
• Knowledge: They must possess a broad knowledge of nursing functions and medical terminology
• Comprehensive knowledge of adult learning principles and how to implement these principles to teaching
• The ability to operate all types of equipment and perform routine and special procedures used in the daily advanced nursing care of children may be required
• Communication skills: Pediatric nurse practitioners require strong oral and written communication skill to perform their job successfully. It is important that they can communicate clearly to patients and members of healthcare team, providing education to new parents, and staff, as well as appropriately documenting all medical care procedures, assessments, and problems
• Interpersonal skills: They require this skill to work effectively with others, as well as to establish a patient nurse relationship with patients and their families during Hospital Stay
• Leadership skills: They must demonstrate leadership qualities required for influencing nurse staff, NNP’s, and social workers required in providing collaborative patient care.

Conclusion

This post is helpful to recruiters looking to hire the best people for the pediatric nurse practitioner position in their organizations.

They can apply the sample job description on this post to make the perfect description for the pediatric nurse practitioner role that can help you get the best candidates for the job.

Individuals interested in becoming or working as a pediatric nurse +will also find this article useful. They will be able to increase their knowledge of what pediatric nurse practitioners do, as well as increase their chances of succeeding in the career.

Did this post help improve your knowledge of the pediatric nurse practitioner duties and responsibilities? Please, make a comment in the box below. You can also share your job description if you work as a pediatric nurse.