NICU consultants and support staff

RESPIRATORY THERAPIST (RT)

Respiratory Therapists (RTs) have training to deliver multiple treatments to the cardiopulmonary system (heart and lungs). RTs may administer chest physiotherapy, assist in the management of ventilators, and deliver medications to the lungs. They are actively involved with babies having breathing problems, such as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

text continues below

RTs might also be members of the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Transport Team or become an Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) specialists after specialized training.

SOCIAL WORKERS

Social workers are professionals with special education and training to determine the psycho-social, emotional, and financial needs of families. They help families find and coordinate resources in the hospital and community that will help to meet their needs. Social workers also help in the discharge planning.

UROLOGIST

A urologist is a physician with special training in evaluating and treating conditions involving the urinary system that might require surgery. They are consulted on infants with conditions that result from birth defects, such as hydronephrosis or hypospadius. With some conditions, they will work closely with a nephrologist.

X-RAY TECHNICIAN

An x-ray technician is a professional trained in obtaining x-rays. X-rays can be of the chest or involve the use of solutions to make body parts easier to identify, as with barium enemas. X-rays of bones are also commonly performed in babies for a variety of reasons.