APP Program Lead - Neonatology

Cincinnati Children's; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 137,000 - 169,000; Full time

Job summary

Cincinnati Children's in Cincinnati, OH is seeking an experienced Advanced Practice Provider Program Lead (Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant) to provide advanced neonatal clinical care while leading a team of NICU APPs.

This role combines 60% clinical practice with 40% administrative leadership, including recruitment, mentorship, quality improvement, and program development. Collaboration with physicians, nursing leadership, and hospital administration is essential.

Qualifications

• Master's or Doctoral degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant program.
• Current Ohio licensure as APRN or Physician Assistant.
• National certification appropriate to specialty.
• Minimum of five years of neonatal advanced practice experience.
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, or supervisory experience.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced clinical care for neonatal patients and supervise frontline NICU APP staff.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, and retention of APPs.
• Partner with physician and nursing leadership to optimize staffing and operations.
• Lead quality improvement, patient safety, and program development initiatives.

Skills

Leadership experience

Clinical leadership

Communication skills

Team mentoring

Collaboration

Education

Master's or Doctoral degree (APRN/PA)

Job description

Primary Location
Burnet Campus
Department
APP CCHMC NICU
Shift
Rotating (United States of America)
Schedule
Full time
Weekly Hours
40
FTE
1
Employee Status
Regular

*Expected Starting Pay Range
$136,760.00 - $168,688.00
*Starting pay is based on experience, skills, and equity; exceptions may apply for highly qualified candidates. Additional pay (e.g., shift, on‑call, or weekend differentials) and benefits may apply.Annual pay may vary based on FTE status.

Advance Practice Provider (APP) Program Lead – Neonatology (Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant)

Schedule: Full-Time | 1.0 FTE
Role Allocation: 60% Clinical | 40% Administrative/Leadership

Lead with Purpose. Advance Neonatal Care. Inspire the Next Generation of APPs.

At Cincinnati Children's, we come to work with one goal: to make children's health better. Our nationally recognized Neonatology program provides world‑class care for premature and critically ill newborns while advancing innovation through research, education, and compassionate, family-centered care.

We are seeking an experienced Advanced Practice Provider Program Lead (Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant) to provide clinical excellence while leading and supporting a high‑performing team of neonatal APPs. This unique leadership opportunity combines direct patient care with operational leadership, professional development, quality improvement, and program advancement.

If you're passionate about clinical excellence, mentoring colleagues, and shaping the future of neonatal care, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Position Summary

The APP Program Lead provides advanced clinical care for neonatal patients while serving as the direct supervisor for frontline Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant staff within the Neonatology Division.

This role combines 60% clinical practice with 40% dedicated administrative leadership time , supporting workforce development, clinical quality, operational excellence, and APP engagement.

The Program Lead collaborates closely with physician leaders, nursing leadership, hospital administration, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure exceptional patient outcomes while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and professional growth.

Primary Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership (60%)

• Provide comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of critically ill neonatal patients.
• Develop and implement evidence-based treatment plans in collaboration with neonatologists and the interdisciplinary care team.
• Prescribe medications, therapies, and diagnostic testing within scope of practice.
• Perform advanced procedures consistent with credentialing and clinical privileges.
• Deliver family-centered care while providing education and support to patients' families.
• Participate in clinical rounds and serve as a clinical resource for the neonatal care team.
• Promote evidence-based practice and continuous quality improvement initiatives.

Leadership & Administrative Responsibilities (40%)

• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance management for frontline Neonatology Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants.
• Foster a positive, collaborative work environment that promotes engagement, accountability, and professional development.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding, orientation, mentoring, and retention of APP staff.
• Partner with physician and nursing leadership to optimize staffing, scheduling, productivity, and clinical operations.
• Support regulatory compliance, credentialing, professional practice standards, and quality metrics.
• Lead or participate in quality improvement, patient safety, and operational initiatives.
• Promote APP professional development through education, mentorship, and career advancement opportunities.
• Collaborate with division leadership on strategic planning, program growth, and implementation of new clinical initiatives.

Qualifications

Required

• Master's or Doctoral degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant program.
• Current Ohio licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) or Physician Assistant.
• National certification appropriate to specialty.
• Minimum of five years of neonatal advanced practice experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including mentoring, precepting, charge responsibilities, committee leadership, or formal supervisory experience.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, organizational, and critical thinking skills.

Preferred

• Previous experience supervising or managing Advanced Practice Providers.
• Experience leading quality improvement or operational initiatives.
• Professional involvement in neonatal or advanced practice organizations.

Why Cincinnati Children's?

As one of the nation's top pediatric healthcare organizations, Cincinnati Children's is committed to developing leaders who advance patient care, education, and research.

You’ll join a nationally recognized Neonatology program that values collaboration, innovation, and professional excellence while providing opportunities to shape the future of Advanced Practice Providers.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Patient Care- Perform history and/or physical exams on patients presenting for care in area of expertise. Assess and diagnose illnesses, including chronic and acute conditions. Formulate, document and monitor a treatment plan. Order and monitor therapeutic interventions including but not limited to diets, laboratory, radiological and diagnostic tests as deemed necessary by patient history and/or physical exam. Provide clinical consultation, order interdisciplinary consults. Professional practice including but not limited to prescription of medications in accordance with Federal and State Law & Rules and CCHMC policy. Attains and maintains competency in subspecialty practice, skills and procedures in accordance with Joint Commission standards for focused (FPPE) and ongoing (OPPE) professional practice evaluation.
• Outcomes Identification and Planning- Develops outcomes as measurable goals that provide direction for continuity of care & continuity of care & consistency among providers. Develops, prioritizes, evaluates & modifies an individualized comprehensive plan of care. Addresses each diagnosis or issue, as appropriate. Derives outcomes & plans of care that involve the patient/family/caregiver when possible & are realistic to the patient/family/caregiver capabilities & resources. Considers risks/benefits, costs, clinical effectiveness, current scientific evidence/clinical guidelines & clinical expertise to formulate interventions, treatments & outcomes. Incorporates new knowledge & strategies to initiate change in practice if desired outcomes not achieved. Maintains documentation & updates accordingly outcomes, goals & the plan of care.
• Professional Practice- Maintain professional behaviors aligned with core values and care standards, participate in quality improvement activities or research to improve the care delivery process & patient care outcomes. Participate in lifelong learning and professional development activities that improves skills & competence in clinical practice/role performance. Serve as preceptor, role model, or mentor; Contribute to the professional development of peers/colleagues to improve pediatric health care & to foster the professions growth. Integrate ethical considerations & research findings into practice; Provide leadership by participating on committees or in professional organizations, or writing/publishing/presenting. Advocate for the pediatric patient/family/caregiver. Serve as a leader, influencing both healthcare/APP practice & policy.
• Leadership- Provides leadership and oversight for frontline APPs and/or specialty programs and personnel. Management may include staffing and scheduling oversight, recruitment and retention of staff, subspecialty orientation program oversight, evaluation of ongoing competency to meet JC standards, conducting or providing input in performance appraisals, professional development opportunities, mentoring/coaching activities, succession planning and other related activities. Ensures APP staff compliance with organizational requirements and compliance with regulations for the clinic, department, program or service line.
• Performance Management- Collaborates with APP and organizational leadership in setting productivity standards for APPs role within the subspecialty. Participates in evaluation ( …)

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in related field. May require clinical license, certification or training OR Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree.
• No directly related experience.
• Preferred: Experience as an APP in subspecialty.
• Licensure and certification in accordance with CCHMC Delineation of Privileges.
• Multi-state licensure in addition to Ohio licensure may be required based on subspecialty.

About Us

At Cincinnati Children’s, we come to work with one goal: to make children’s health better. We believe in a holistic team approach, both in caring for patients and their families, and in advancing science and discovery. We strive to do better and find energy and inspiration in our shared purpose. If you want to be the best you can be, you can do it at Cincinnati Children’s.

Cincinnati Children's is:

• Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 10 best Children's Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years
• Consistently among the top 3 Children's Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding
• Recognized as one of America’s Best Large Employers (2025) , America’s Best Employers for New Grads (2025)
• One of the nation's America’s Most Innovative Companies as noted by Fortune
• Consistently certified as great place to work
• A Leading Disability Employer as noted by the National Organization on Disability
• Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

We Embrace Innovation-Together. We believe in empowering our teams with the tools that help us work smarter and care better. That’s why we support the responsible use of artificial intelligence. By encouraging innovation, we’re creating space for new ideas, better outcomes, and a stronger future—for all of us.

Comprehensive job description provided upon request.

Cincinnati Children’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. EEO/Veteran/Disability