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What a great question. In our experience (hospital
based dedicated neonatal transport team consisting of
RN/RT) our RT's usually join the team with extensive
NICU experience but are required to take the same didactic and
skills training as the RN's. they are expected to meet all competencies
. I have found it more challenging to get the RT' s oriented because
they are respiratory specific in their expertise but it is well worth the
effort. The RT's learn to calculate drugs, and drips, start IV's place
UAC/UVC as examples. However we have yet to have an RT on our
team who was not able to perform admirably on the team. [[Our team also
functions as the ECMO team so the same RT's after orientation to trasnport are
oriented to ECMO, by this time they have gained experience in
assessing and treating the whole patient and they are successful in this
function as well. ] Our RN's and RT's truely function as a team and are able to
perform each others duties. Now to the point. . I
believe from this experience that a paramedic with extensive NICU/peds
experience or anyone with critical care experience
could function wellin this capacity understanding that they will be
going through the same training which may [or may not] take a little
longer depending or their experience. I personally would want them
to have at least 18 months oriented to the unit first as a minimum to get
familiar with standards of care and practice related to neonates first.
Then enter the orientation phase. Regardless of experience we
require this time in the our NICU for all transport team members.
What makes a good transport team member? Regardless of
initials, it is someone grounded in critical care care, with a strong
sense of dedication to the patient and the team. A person willing to learn
and practice with diligence at all times so they can preform their duties
to the best of their ability and to provide the best possible chance for a good
outcome for the patient.
IMHO
Linda Wise, RN
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