RN Registered Nurse Manager - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Special Care Nursery

Full-time, Days

About the role

The Nursing Manager is a Registered Nurse who is accountable for leading, managing, developing, supervising, and evaluating all aspects of patient care. Manages and collaborates relationships with leadership members, physicians, and other stakeholders for the care of responsible patient populations. Assures professional, clinical, and educational excellence in the provision of quality care to patients. Facilitates empowerment of staff in the implementation of creative and innovative patient care delivery models and stimulates a collaborative multidisciplinary team approach in the continuous improvement of patient care services. Assumes responsibility for fiscal management of the unit.

This role supports the 35-bed private Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the 8-bed Special Care Nursery (SCN) at Henry Ford St. John Hospital, a full-service hospital with a Level I Adult and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center. The hospital is a destination for specialty care including heart, cancer, stroke, orthopedics, and advanced neonatal care for sick babies.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and develop nursing staff in the NICU and SCN.
• Supervise and evaluate all aspects of patient care in the units.
• Collaborate with leadership, physicians, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure high-quality patient care.
• Implement creative and innovative patient care delivery models.
• Foster a collaborative multidisciplinary team approach to improve patient care services.
• Manage fiscal responsibilities of the unit.
• Support a Patient and Family Centered Care model in a newly renovated, state-of-the-art NICU.
• Oversee care for high-risk full-term infants, very low birth weight preemies, and babies requiring surgery.
• Work with the NICU care team, including board-certified neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, registered nurses, physician residents, case managers, social workers, lactation consultants, nutritionists, and clerical support.
• Attend high-risk deliveries and develop short- and long-term care plans tailored to each neonate’s unique needs.
• Manage external transports of critically ill newborns from other hospitals.
• Ensure access to pediatric subspecialties, advanced imaging services, and pediatric surgical specialists.

NICU Services

• State-of-the-art unit designed to support Patient and Family Centered Care.
• Overnight accommodations for parents.
• Reduced light and sound for optimal healing.
• Baby-Friendly designation supporting breastfeeding and bonding.
• Lactation and breastfeeding support services.
• Therapeutic hypothermia and nitric oxide protocols.
• Infant CPR training for families.
• Membership in the Vermont Oxford Network quality improvement collaborative.
• Dedicated transport and referral center for critical care transfers.
• Emphasis on patient safety initiatives.
• Developmental care and kangaroo care practices.
• Compassionate consultation and bereavement support.

Special Care Nursery (SCN)

The SCN is an 8-bed acute care unit adjacent to the NICU and birthing center, designed for newborns who require medical support but not intensive care. The SCN team cares for infants born at 34 weeks gestation or later who may experience conditions such as:

• Mild respiratory issues.
• Infections.
• Pneumonia.
• Jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia).
• Mild prematurity.
• Neonatal abstinence syndrome.

The SCN provides a safe and supportive environment focused on stabilization, healing, and family involvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing required; Master's Degree in Nursing, Business, Health Management, or related field preferred.
• ANCC recognized nursing specialty certification preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of clinical experience in an acute care setting required; neonatal care strongly preferred.
• 2-3 years' experience in a leadership role, in pediatric/maternal/neonatal specialty strongly preferred.
• Demonstration of progressive nursing leadership in roles such as Charge Nurse, Assistant Clinical Manager, House Manager, Clinical Coordinator, Clinical Unit Leader, or Chairperson of a Shared Governance Council/Committee or interdisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of quality management and service excellence.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with coaching and facilitation expertise.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Innovative and creative leadership style.

Qualifications

• Current license to practice in the State of Michigan as a Registered Nurse.
• BCLS/NRP certification as required per unit standards.