Training programs for neonatal transport will in part depend on:

• The types of transfers to be undertaken

• The range of anticipated conditions in the patient population

• The background of team members

While training should focus on skill levels necessary to successfully transport patients rather than specific educational degrees, the recognition of transport as a specialist area within perinatal care has led to the establishment of academic courses for neonatal transport. Neonatal-trained nurses will in general have a large part of the requisite background knowledge and skills for neonatal transport. Paramedics will be familiar with working in a moving environment but will require intensive training to participate in “hands on” intensive care.

Basic training requirements should include

Organizational knowledge

An understanding of the logistics of the transfer process is essential. The best information about the infant's condition must be available to enable appropriate support to be given to the referring clinician and the appropriate decisions made regarding transfer.

• Models of transport

• Regional perinatal care

• Hospital vs. transport environment

• Principles of transport medicine

• Initiation of transport process

• Documentation

• Communication during transfer process

• Transport safety

• Medico-legal issues

• Viability

• Public relations

Practical knowledge

Team members must be able to diagnose and manage the infant's problem and to identify the most likely reasons for deterioration in their condition. This level of skill is generally achieved and maintained only through significant experience in caring for critically ill infants.

• Pathophysiology of congenital and acquired diseases of the newborn

• Common conditions of the newborn

• Normal/low-risk birth and neonates

• Abnormal/high-risk birth and neonates

• Transport physiology

• Air-medical physiology

• Stress management