Developing Competency Awareness and Clinical Coordination in a Neonatal Unit

In neonatal care, patient safety depends not only on individual clinical skills, but also on how teams recognize and use the competencies available during a shift. When staff are uncertain about who is able to perform specific tasks, coordination can become difficult, and responsibilities may be unevenly distributed. This study examines a structured intervention in a neonatal unit aimed at supporting the development of clinical competencies and increasing staff awareness of each other's capabilities. The intervention combines competency mapping, facilitated reflection, simulation-based activities, and ongoing dialogue with clinical coordinators to support everyday coordination and task allocation. The study uses a mixed-methods design, including questionnaires and qualitative data, to explore how the intervention is implemented in practice and whether it contributes to changes in staff experiences of competence, collaboration, and confidence in clinical work.