Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Acting Internship – Toledo Children’s Hospital
Title of Course: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Acting Internship – Toledo Children’s Hospital
Elective Year(s): Fourth-Year Elective
Department: Pediatrics
Type of Elective: Clinical
Course Site: Toledo Children’s Hospital
Course Number: PEDS 714
Blocks Available: All
Number of Students/Block: 1 student
Faculty: Dr. Bonisha Sthapit, M.D. and other NICU Attendings
Elective Description/Requirements: The student will become familiar with the diagnoses and management of problems seen in full‐term and premature infants. He/she will understand the pathophysiology underlying of these conditions. In addition, the student will actively participate in the care of the newborns, sharing responsibility with the rest of the medical team for their care. In addition, the student will participate in neonatal resuscitation by attending deliveries of high‐risk newborns.
Each acting intern must complete two on‐line modules to prepare the acting intern for his/her role as teachers of junior medical students.
Length of Course: 4 weeks
Links to Core Competencies/Educational Course Objectives: At the end of this elective, the student will be able to:
- Explain the pathophysiology of common problems seen in the neonate, particularly those of cardio‐respiratory nature in management of neonatal patients. (EPOs: MK-4)
- Analyze medical problems and use previously acquired knowledge to synthesize and appropriate differential diagnosis. (EPOs: MK-7, PC-6, PC-7)
- Evaluate the progress of the team’s management decisions and make appropriate adjustments to the care of the patient. (EPOs: SBP-1, PC-3, PC-7, PBL-1)
- Demonstrate a commitment to learning about issues unique to newborns requiring intensive care management (EPOs: PC-1)
- Relate empathically with parents of patients and demonstrate appropriate concern for the patients. (EPOs: SBP-2, SBP-5, PB-1)
- Perform procedures under direct supervision. These procedures would include insertion of umbilical catheters, lumbar puncture, endotracheal intubation, neonatal resuscitation, and arterial and venipuncture. (EPOs: MK-1, PC-5, PC-7)
- Participate in evening or weekend clinical care to support continuity of patient care and demonstrate professionalism in varied clinical settings. (EPO: IPC-2)
- Conduct structured patient handoffs using an evidence‑based communication approach to ensure safe and accurate transfer of care. (EPO: SBP-1)
Professionalism: UT/COM students will meet or exceed the institutional standards for professionalism as stated in the current Educational Program Objectives and the current Educational Course Objectives for the Sponsoring Department.
Instructional Methods:
- Inpatient rounds
- Teaching rounds
- Mentored technical skills practice
Evaluation Methods:
- Acting Internship Assessment
- Case presentations/write-up
- Faculty observation of behavior with NICU staff, including residents in training
Prerequisites: Successful completion of required third year required clerkship.
Special Requirements:
- As part of the acting internship, students are required to participate in at least one evening or weekend clinical experience. This experience ensures exposure to the full spectrum of patient care responsibilities and supports readiness for residency-level schedules and work environment.
- Students are expected to participate in structured patient handoffs as part of their clinical responsibilities. This includes observing and contributing to the sign-out processes to ensure safe, effective transitions of care.
- On call every fourth night.
Clerkship Director: Rajat Kaul, MD
Clerkship Coordinator: Joseph Osinski
Phone Number: 419-291-0377
Email: Joseph.Osinski@utoledo.edu
ECC Approved
March 2026