Certificate in Newborn Clinical Examination
The next intake onto this programme is September 2025, you can register your interest here
Course Overview
Advance your clinical practice by developing the necessary knowledge, skills, and competence to perform the Newborn Clinical Examination with the Certificate in Newborn Clinical Examination from Dundalk Institute of Technology.
The enhanced skills, knowledge and professional behaviours gained during this programme will enable graduates to become competent in undertaking the Newborn Clinical Examination.
Graduates of this Certificate in Newborn Clinical Examination will be competent to undertake a systematic physical examination and screening of the newborn 72 hours after birth. Thus, ensuring immediate and appropriate intervention when anomalies are detected supporting the family cohesiveness and long-term health and wellbeing
Course Delivery and Modules
This course will be delivered using a mix of live online lecturers and face-to-face classes in DkIT. Students will be required to attend DkIT for 4 days approx (09.00hrs to 16.00hrs) over the semester.
In order to be successful in obtaining a Certificate in Newborn Clinical Examination the student will complete a written assignment and successfully compete 40 Newborn Clinical Examinations under supervision in clinical practice.
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Course Content
Successful graduates of this course will be able to:
- Critically discuss the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours required to undertake the Newborn Clinical Examination, demonstrating in-depth knowledge of normal neonatal physiology, and common neonatal conditions that are screened for, relating these to underpinning fetal and neonatal
anatomy and physiology; - Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the gestational development of the fetus, to include organogenesis and factors that may disrupt optimal fetal growth and development;
- Demonstrate the ability to competently perform a systematic physical examination of the neonate utilising a family-centered approach to the Newborn Clinical Examination;
- Demonstrate the ability to record clinical findings and interpretations accurately and comprehensibly in a clear, accurate and relevant manner in accordance with legal and ethical guidelines, referring all identified deviations from the norm in the neonate to the appropriate personnel/service for follow up as per the recommended timelines and local/national policies, procedures, protocols and guidance (PPPGs);
- Apply knowledge and understanding of the legal, ethical and professional issues relating to the Newborn Clinical Examination and advancing the role of the midwife.
In order to be successful in obtaining a Certificate in Newborn Clinical Examination the student will complete a written assignment and successfully compete 40 Newborn Clinical Examinations under supervision in clinical practice.
- Critically discuss the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours required to undertake the Newborn Clinical Examination, demonstrating in-depth knowledge of normal neonatal physiology, and common neonatal conditions that are screened for, relating these to underpinning fetal and neonatal
Fees and Funding
Fees
€950
Entry Requirements
- Registered Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) or equivalent and have a minimum of two years experience in intrapartum, postnatal and/or neonatal care;
- OR
- Registered General Nurse with the NMBI or equivalent and have a minimum of two years experience in neonatal care and have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Neonatology;
- OR
- Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Neonatology with the NMBI or equivalent;
- Applicants must be currently employed in maternity care provision;
- Applicants will normally hold a Level 8 qualification in midwifery/general nursing. General nursing graduates must have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Neonatology;
- Applicants who do not have a level 8 qualification in midwifery or general nursing may apply for entry to the programme in accordance with the procedures outlined in the DkIT Recognition of Prior Learning policy (2022). Learn more about RPL at DkIT
- Applicants may be interviewed.
Ask us a Question
If you have a question about the Certificate in Newborn Clinical Examination please ask it below and we will get back to you.
Dr. Geraldine O’Connor
Head of Section (Part-Time Courses), School of Health and Science
Email: geraldine.oconnor@dkit.ieDisclaimer: All module titles are subject to change and for indicative purposes only. All courses are delivered subject to demand and timetables are subject to change. Elective Module options will only run subject to student numbers. The relevant Department will determine the viability of each elective module option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose that option. Students will be offered alternative elective modules on their programme should their preferred elective option not be proceeding. Award Options for Common Entry Programmes: The relevant Department will determine the viability of each award option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose either option. If the numbers for one of the Award options exceed available places, students for this option will be selected based on Academic Merit (highest grades).
