Spark: A Neonatal Therapy Starter Pack

Course Description

Spark is a 4.0-hour course designed to provide foundational knowledge for therapists beginning their journey in the neonatal intensive care unit. Whether you are a new graduate or a seasoned therapist newly serving the NICU population, this course will set you on the right path. In this three-module course, we will explore the origins of neonatal therapy as well as current-day practice.

We will emphasize the importance of specialized training, clinical competence, and professional progression toward certification in neonatal therapy. We will progress from within the walls of the unit to understanding the language, acronyms, and culture of the NICU environment.

In Modules 1 and 2, we will explore maternal and perinatal diagnoses, as well as the most common conditions affecting infants in the NICU. By the end of the course, participants will demonstrate increased competence in identifying and managing prevalent conditions impacting both neonates and mothers. Additionally, participants will be prepared to offer meaningful support and empowerment to the families they serve.

Caution: Your passion may be ignited!

Course Includes

• 3 Online Educational Modules
• Acronym List
• Handouts
• References
• 4 Hours of CE Credit
• Neonatal Therapy Core Scope of Practice

Target Audience
OT, SLP, PT

Level
Introductory

Overall Course Objectives 

1. Define the evolution of neonatal therapy over the past century through present day including steps required to become a neonatal therapist, current practice guidelines and requirements to become a certified neonatal therapist. 
2. Recognize maternal and perinatal risk factors and how they impact multiple systems of the developing premature infant. 
3. Identify common conditions or diagnoses of the premature infant including symptomology, pathophysiology, management, and strategies for treatment. 

Instructional Method  

Lecture, case studies, and handouts. Learning assessment and course evaluation follow the course.  

Course Completion Requirements  

The learner must view the entire webinar, complete the course evaluation, and achieve a score of at least 80% on the post-webinar learning assessment to receive education credit. Login and logout times are recorded and documented. Following course completion, learners receive a CE certificate and a zip file containing the necessary information to submit for education credit to their individual state, where required.  The zip file will include a course bibliography. Physical therapists are responsible for knowing and adhering to their state’s CE deadlines, rules, and regulations. 

Module Objectives

Module 1: Introduction to Neonatal Therapy 

Module 1 Objectives 

1. List two founders in the progression of neonatal professional development. 
2. Name three of the six practice domains of neonatal therapy. 
3. List three necessary actions to become a certified neonatal therapist.

Module 1 Resources

1. 1. Acronym List
   2. Neonatal Therapy Core Scope of Practice

Module 2: Maternal and Perinatal Risk Factors 

Module 2 Objectives 

1. Identify one symptom of 4 of the Presented Maternal Risk Factors 
2. Recognize 2 of the 5 TORCH infections. 
3. Identify the impact of Maternal Diabetes Mellitus on the developing neonate.

Module 3: Common Conditions in the NICU 

 Module 3 Objectives 

1. Identify one clinical presentation of the presented common conditions 
2. List 1 medical management method for five of the presented common conditions. 
3. Identify the acronym associated with 5 of the Common Conditions presented. 

Speaker Bio

Stacy Zediker, PT, CNT, NTMTC, is a pediatric physical therapist with 31 years of clinical experience. She has 28 years of intervention experience working with neonates, medically complex infants, and children with a wide range of complex medical/developmental/orthopedic needs. She is a Certified Neonatal Therapist and a Neonatal Touch and Massage Certified Therapist. Stacy has worked in numerous pediatric settings, including hospital-based, NICU, developmental follow-up clinics, but found her Spark working with neonates. For 19 years, she has served as the Coordinator of Pediatric Rehab Services and an advanced neonatal therapist serving a Level 3 NICU in Panama City, FL. Her role in her current workplace has provided the opportunity for education with the creation of a 6-hour live training, including a lab for all NICU employees on the topic of developmentally supportive care of the neonate. She is a sought-after educator within her corporation, leading multi-site training for new rehabilitation staff across 5 sister hospitals. She assisted in creating an outpatient developmental follow-up clinic to support the ongoing needs of the neonatal population and served on the design team for the Level III NICU remodel for neurodevelopmental protection and support.  She is an ardent promoter of continuous quality improvement studies and initiatives addressing skin protective care, small baby team protocols, swaddled bathing initiatives, and protected breastfeeding.  Stacy has served on the State of Florida’s Quality Collaborative since 2022, on the Homeward Bound Initiative, and on the current neurodevelopmental initiative. Stacy is honored to have served on the NANT Advisory Council and the NANT Conference Committee. Stacy was recognized as the 2019 NANT Perseverance Award winner. She is the proud mother of her premature twins, Ava & Isaac, and son, Eli.

Disclosures

Stacy Zediker, PT, CNT, NTMTC

No relevant disclosures.

Conflict of Interest
There is no conflict of interest for anyone with the ability to control content for this activity.

Module 1 Agenda

00:00 – 05:00 min: Overview of course
05:00 – 20:00 min: History of neonatal therapy
20:00 – 35:00 min: Review of the Neonatal Therapy Core Scope of Practice
35:00 – 42:00 min: Review of the Practice Competencies for the Neonatal Therapist
42:00 – 50:00 min: Standards for Levels of Neonatal Care (American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines)
50:00 – 57:00 min: Certification and summary

Module 2 Agenda 

00:00 – 3:00 min: Review Module 1 and Introduce Module 2
03:00 – 25:00 min: Maternal risk factors: pre-eclampsia, prolonged rupture of membranes, bleeding, severe hypertension, sepsis, diabetes mellitus, chronic maternal illness, maternal substance abuse
25:00 – 48:00 min: Perinatal risk factors: prematurity, low birth weight, pregnancy related complications, asphyxia, infection
48:00 – 53:00 min: Summary

Module 3 Agenda
00:00-15:00 min: Review Module 2 and introduce Module 3
15:00 – 50:00 min: Apnea, anemia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), pneumonia, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), bradycardia, heart defects
50:00 – 80:00 min: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), feeding, gastroschisis, hypoglycemia, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), jaundice
80:00 – 105:00 min: Hypothermia, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), sepsis
105:00 – 116:00 min: Review highlights of Spark!

116:00 – 130:00 min: Learning assessment

Registration information

Members: Click the “Login” button at the top of the screen to verify your Membership and purchase this course at the discounted Member rate. After logging in to your account, click “Buy Now”.

Non-Members: You may purchase this course as a non-member by clicking the “Buy Now” button above. Join NANT to receive this course at the discounted Member rate.

For ADA accommodations, please contact NANT Customer Service at (866) 999-5524 for more information.

Speech-language pathologists may update their ASHA CE reporting preference at any time by accessing their NANT Hub profile.

Cancellation Policy
Click HERE to review NANT’s Course Cancellation Policy.

Continuing Education Information 

AOTA CEUs

National Association of Neonatal Therapists® (NANT) is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID# 16300. This Distance Learning-Independent Course is offered at 0.5 CEUs (Introductory level, Foundational Knowledge). AOTA does not endorse specific course content, products, or clinical procedures.   

This course is approved for 4.0 contact hours.  

ASHA CEUs

Learners must complete the entire course in order to receive ASHA CEUs. No partial credit awarded. ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products or clinical procedures.
ASHA CE Registry users: NANT will submit your ASHA CEU credit to ASHA on your behalf. ASHA CEUs may take up to 100 days to appear on your ASHA Transcript. 

Non-ASHA CE Registry users: Maintain your course records and please keep your registry status current in your NANT account. Update your NANT account with your ASHA number if your registry status changes. NANT is not responsible for tracking your registry usage. 

PT CE Credit

This activity is provided by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners Accredited Provider 2801058TX and meets continuing competence requirements for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant licensure renewal in Texas. This activity is offered for 4.0 CCUs for PTs and PTAs. 

The assignment of Texas PT CCUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by TPTA or TBPTE. 

NANT is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved provider of physical therapy and physical therapist assistant continuing education. 

Questions regarding CE credit should be directed to the National Association of Neonatal Therapists at [email protected] or (866) 999-5524.