Infant Care Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Primary Function

Provide direct, compassionate care to infants in the nursery and support a calm, healing environment for infants and families. Work within an interdisciplinary team that includes nurses, volunteers, caregivers, therapists, and other staff to ensure safe care and positive family experiences.

Schedule: No open positions currently. Accepting applications for those interested in part time or full time work to prepare for when the need arises.

Position Responsibilities

Infant Care

• Prepare bottles and feed infants per individualized care plans.
• Bathe infants, change diapers, and provide comfort measures including holding and consoling.
• Follow infection prevention and safe sleep practices at all times.
• Communicate observations to the RN and team, including feeding tolerance, comfort needs, and changes in condition.
• Charting on feeds and other areas as directed.

Household and Facility Support

• Maintain a clean and orderly environment through routine cleaning, sanitizing, laundry, and floor care such as sweeping and vacuuming.
• Restock supplies and ensure care areas are ready for safe infant care and family use.
• Share responsibility for cleaning throughout the shift in alignment with unit expectations.

Family and Visitor Support

• Model positive, encouraging interactions with parents and family members.
• Reinforce basic caregiving skills as directed by the clinical team.
• Protect privacy and confidentiality in all communications.

Teamwork, Professionalism, and Culture

• Contribute to a quiet, low-stress environment by maintaining a calm presence, using low voices, limiting personal phone use while on duty, and keeping conversations professional and supportive.
• Direct concerns and suggestions to Nursery Supervisors rather than discussing issues among peers in the nursery.
• Be a dependable team member who pitches in across duties to support a positive culture and high quality care.

Requirements:

 

Qualifications

• Experience caring for infants or young children in a professional or volunteer setting preferred. Experience in a healthcare setting (NICU, pediatrics, nursing assistant, home care, or similar) is a plus.
• Current infant and pediatric CPR/First Aid certification, or ability to obtain it before the start date.
• Ability to learn and accurately perform basic clinical support tasks under RN direction, including taking and recording vital signs, weights, and feeding intake and output. Training is provided.
• Comfort working around medical equipment such as cardiac and oxygen monitors and feeding tubes, and the ability to recognize alarms or changes in an infant's condition and report them promptly to the RN.
• Willingness to follow infection control practices, including hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and safe handling of bodily fluids and soiled items.
• Understanding that Infant Care Specialists do not administer medications or perform clinical assessments; these remain RN responsibilities.
• Ability to follow instructions from RNs and other licensed providers and to work effectively within a team.
• Strong communication, reliability, and attention to safety and cleanliness.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and uphold professional boundaries.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must pass a criminal background check.
• Must provide documentation of the following immunizations before working with infants, or a medical exemption where applicable:
  • MMR (two doses or a positive titer)
  • Varicella (two doses or a positive titer)
  • Tdap (within the last 10 years)
• TB test completed before the start date or within the first 30 days of hire.

Physical and Schedule Requirements

• Ability to lift, hold, and position infants safely and to stand and move for extended periods.
• Ability to respond quickly to infant needs, monitor alarms, and emergency situations.
• Ability to perform frequent cleaning tasks and handle laundry and supply restocking.
• Work involves exposure to bodily fluids and potentially infectious materials, with appropriate protections in place.
• Work hours per assigned schedule, which may include weekends and holidays.