Self-Assessment of Domain-Specific Content

Knowledge of co-morbidities & sequela of preterm birth on feeding/swallowing development, including difference between “healthy” premature/immature infant and extremely premature/low birth weight and/or medically complex infant

Knowledge of co-morbidities & sequela of preterm birth 

Knowledge of common co-morbidities, diagnoses and potential impact on outcome 

Knowledge of medical diagnoses that may require NICU admission

Knowledge of feeding interventions for extremely premature/medically fragile infants 

Knowledge of fetal physical, sensory, feeding and neurologic development

Knowledge of models of care used in the NICU 

Knowledge of NICU “culture” 

Knowledge of feeding/swallowing skills in typically developing term infant 

Knowledge of common NICU terminology

Knowledge of the impact of NICU hospitalization on the family

Knowledge of pain assessment and management

Knowledge of the states of arousal, behavioral development in the context of postmenstrual age 

Knowledge of standardized and non-standardized assessments used in the NICU

Knowledge of neonatal reflexes

Knowledge of common medications used in the NICU, impact on the premature/medically complex infant

Knowledge of strategies to support oral feeding skill acquisition 

Knowledge of common medical interventions used in the NICU and potential impact on the premature/medically complex infant such as phototherapy, head/body cooling, intubation, CPAP

Knowledge of family experience of preterm birth 

Knowledge of medical/surgical procedures and the potential impact on the premature/medically complex infant such as PDA ligation, TEF/EA repair, chest tubes, gastroschisis/omphalocele closure, gastrostomy tube placement, Nissen fundoplication

Knowledge of evidenced based interventions in the NICU

Knowledge of cardio-pulmonary monitoring thresholds

Knowledge of patterns of sleep and methods to protect sleep

Knowledge of and ability to interpret monitors used in the NICU 

Knowledge of appropriate positioning for high risk infants

Knowledge of equipment & medical/nursing care in the NICU

Knowledge of methods and tools available to position high-risk infants in the NICU

Knowledge of synactive theory and other theories used in the NICU

Knowledge of strategies to decrease or increase tone, facilitate feeding, improve state regulation, empower parents, foster reflex development, and ultimately improve outcomes

Knowledge about methods to modify the environment