Although many people help care for babies in the NICU, those most responsible for day-to-day care are nurses, whom you may come to know very well and rely on to give you information and reassurances about your baby.
The nurses you might interact with include a:
charge nurse (the nurse in charge of the shift)
primary nurse (the one assigned to your baby)
neonatal nurse practitioner (someone with additional training in neonatology care)
Other people who may help care for your baby include:
a
neonatologist
a doctor specializing in newborn intensive care who heads up the medical team
neonatology fellows ,
medical residents , and
medical students
all pursuing training at different levels
pediatric hospitalist
a pediatrician who works solely in the hospital setting
various specialists
such as a
neurologist , a
cardiologist , or a
surgeon ) to treat specific issues with the brain, heart, etc.
a
respiratory therapist
who helps administer treatment that help with breathing
a
nutritionist
who can determine what babies on IV nutrition need
a
physical therapist and/or
occupational therapist
who work with feeding and movement issues with the infants and their parents
a
pharmacist
who helps manage a baby's medications
lab technicians
who process the laboratory tests — i.e., urine, blood — taken
a
chaplain who can counsel you and try to provide comfort; chaplains may be interfaith or of a particular religious affiliation but they're there to support anyone looking for a spiritual/religious connection
a
social worker
who helps you get the services you need and also lends emotional support by connecting you to other families and therapists, if needed