To qualify for the Lead or Support Instructor role, you must work in a unit that can provide short-term mechanical ventilation for a brief duration (< 24 hours) or continuous positive airway pressure, or both.
LEAD INSTRUCTOR
Description and Responsibilities
Responsible for ensuring the integrity and quality of the Learner course and for submitting the on-line roster to recognize student involvement in Learner courses. Must be considered an expert in neonatal nursing or medicine. Please note: respiratory therapists with advanced neonatal knowledge, especially those involved with neonatal transport, may also qualify for the Lead Instructor role.
Minimal Work Experience
Must have at least two years equivalent (≥ 4000 hours) of recent – within five years – Level 2B special care nursery and/or Level 3 or Level 4* Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) experience (see descriptions below). A Level 3 or Level 4 NICU work environment is preferred for the Lead Instructor.
Knowledge and Expertise
Understands, and can teach, the content found in all of the S.T.A.B.L.E. Program modules at an advanced level. This content includes:
Candidates must attend a National or Private Instructor course taught by certified S.T.A.B.L.E. faculty. To renew, the instructor must participate in teaching the course a minimum of two times in the 2 year cycle as shown by the dates on their instructor card. The Instructor’s participation is tracked by the on-line roster program. If the requirements are met, then the renewing instructor will receive a renewal email one month prior to the expiration date on their card.
SUPPORT INSTRUCTOR
Description and Responsibilities
The Support Instructor may teach in collaboration with a Lead Instructor, but may not teach independently of a Registered Lead Instructor.
Minimal Work Experience
Must have at least one year equivalent (≥ 2000 hours) of recent – within five years – level IIB SCN or level III or IV NICU experience (see descriptions below)
Knowledge and Expertise
The Candidate is familiar with the material in one or more of the S.T.A.B.L.E. program modules as outlined above under Lead Instructor.
Instructor Course Attendance and Teaching Requirements
Support instructors may either attend a National Course or be oriented to the program by an experienced registered Lead instructor as outlined in the Support Instructor Preparation and Registration guidelines on the S.T.A.B.L.E. website under the Instructor tab. To renew, the instructor must participate in teaching the course a minimum of two times in the 2 year cycle as shown by the dates on their instructor card. The Instructor’s participation is tracked by the on-line roster program. If the requirements are met, then the renewing instructor will receive a renewal email one month prior to the expiration date on their card.
*For NICU Level designations: II, III and IV (2, 3 and 4) as defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics, see: Levels of Neonatal Care: Policy Statement, Committee on Fetus and Newborn. Pediatrics (2012) 130(3): 587-597. Reaffirmed Sept. 2015
- Specialty Care / Level IIB Special Care Nursery Provides care to infants ≥ 32 weeks gestation and weighing ≥ 1500 grams who are moderately ill with problems that are expected to resolve rapidly and are not anticipated to need subspecialty services.
- Please note: Those personnel who only have Level IIA special care nursery experience may not become S.T.A.B.L.E. Instructors. A Level IIA unit provides care to infants who are minimally ill and who do not require CPAP support.
- Subspecialty Care / Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Level IIB – plus able to provide sustained life support. Can provide comprehensive care for infants born < 32 weeks gestation and weighing < 1500 grams and infants born at all gestational ages and birth weights with critical illness. Able to provide a full range of respiratory support that may include conventional and/or high-frequency ventilation and inhaled nitric oxide. Can provide ventilatory support (endotracheal or nasotracheal intubation and positive pressure ventilation), care of umbilical venous and arterial catheters, intravenous medication administration, and care of unstable term and preterm infants.
- Subspecialty Care / Level IV NICU Level III – plus located in an institution with the capability to provide surgical repair of complex congenital or acquired conditions. Maintain a full range of pediatric subspecialists (medical, surgical, anesthesia) on site. Facilitates transport and may be involved with neonatal outreach education.8