When you have always wanted to pursue a career in neonatology, but you have no interest in being a nurse or doctor, you may wonder if this is even possible. While the doctors and nurses do make up an extremely important part of the care team in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), there are many other neonatal careers that can put you right in the NICU to help the parents and babies that are forced to spend their time there. Get to know more about some of these career options so that you can pursue the neonatal career that works for you.
Physical or Occupational Therapist
Babies in the NICU are often premature and require special care to get them to reach important developmental milestones and become physically strong enough to get out of the hospital and go home. Physical and occupational therapists are available in the NICU to help them do just that.
Physical therapists in the neonatal field focus on the major movements and motor functions that a baby needs as well as overall physical strength. These important physical milestones include sitting up on their own, rolling over, standing, and eventually walking.
Occupational therapists, on the other hand, focus more on the seemingly smaller tasks of daily living that a baby needs to develop. This can include grasping, holding objects or a bottle, as well as being able to properly eat, and of course moving their legs and arms.
Social Worker
If you are looking for an option in neonatology that is completely non-medical in nature, then you may want to consider being a NICU social worker. Social workers in the context of the neonatal field work with families to help them cope with the stresses and difficulties of having a premature baby and spending all of their time in the hospital with that child.
Additionally, having a child that needs constant medical attention in the NICU can put other strains on a family. Insurance issues, financial issues, transportation, and the like can weigh parents down and distract them from their child and the rest of their life. Social workers can help them with these issues and can provide community resources to provide financial assistance. They can also make references to counselors, therapists, and other emotional support providers as needed.
Now that you know a few of the ways that you can pursue a career in neonatology outside of being a nurse or a doctor, you can choose the right path for you and get started as soon as possible.
For neonatal careers, contact a company such as Kidz Medical Services.
Share17 May 2016
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