Employer Spotlight: Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston

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When your child is sick or injured, you’ll do anything and travel anywhere to ensure they receive the best care. Quality care is exactly what the staff of Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) in Houston, Texas, strives to provide to every patient who enters the facility. If you’re seeking a new nursing position or an allied health job in Houston and want to be part of a team dedicated to the well-being of some of the most vulnerable patients, this employer spotlight provides a comprehensive look at what it’s like to work at the award-winning Texas Children’s Hospital.

Overview of Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston

Texas Children’s Hospital is a not-for-profit organization consistently ranked among the top children’s hospitals nationwide. When the Texas Medical Center received its charter in the 1940s, the Texas Children’s Foundation formed to secure support to build a children’s hospital. It commandeered six acres for the new children’s hospital, and the main campus remains next to the Texas Medical Center.

The children’s hospital broke ground on May 23, 1951, with the completion and dedication of the three-story, 106-bed pediatric hospital on May 15, 1953. TCH admitted its first patient on February 1, 1954, and saw 4,558 patients during its first year. Through the decades, the hospital continued to expand and evolve, including:

• Expanding to 331 beds, creating a neonatology service and raising the maximum patient age from 15 to 18 in the 1970s

• Launching Houston’s first pediatric liver transplant program and being the first emergency center in Texas to provide 24-hour coverage by board-certified pediatric emergency doctors in the 1980s

• Opening the largest bone marrow transplant unit in Texas and renovating the original hospital and constructing several new buildings to become the largest freestanding pediatric hospital in the United States, with 456 beds and nearly 50 medical and surgical outpatient services in the 1990s

• Opening the Texas Children’s West Campus outpatient clinic building in 2010 and offering outpatient services in the Spring of 2011

• Opening Texas Center’s Pavilion for Women to provide women and babies with a full continuum of expert healthcare in 2011

• Seeing 3.2 million patients and performing 26,000 surgeries in 2013

• Opening the six-floor, 210,000-square-foot The Woodlands Outpatient Building to care for children and families in The Woodlands, Spring, Kingwood, Conroe and surrounding communities in 2016

• Opening the first Texas Children’s urgent care location in Austin, Texas Children’s Urgent Care Westgate, in 2018

TCH also opened Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, its second community hospital, in 2017 to provide inpatient and outpatient pediatric care. This 550,000-square-foot facility has over 20 specialty clinics. It’s also the only dedicated pediatric emergency center in the area, with 25 patient rooms, 28 critical care rooms, 32 acute care beds, four operating rooms and 12 radiology suites.

Today, Texas Children’s Hospital is a nationally ranked, freestanding 973-bed acute care children’s and women’s hospital, with more than 3.3 million patient encounters annually. It’s the largest children’s hospital in the nation and employs nearly 13,000 professionals, including 3,500 nurses. The hospital features an American College of Surgeons-verified Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and a regional Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) caring for children throughout the Southern United States region. It’s the primary pediatric teaching hospital for Baylor College of Medicine, home to one of the largest, most successful and diverse pediatric programs nationwide.

Mission, Vision and Principles

TCH’s mission is “to create a healthier future for children and women throughout our global community by leading in patient care, education and research.”

This mission is at the core of everything the hospital does, as it never strays from its purpose of providing world-class healthcare to women and children everywhere.

Its core values include the following:

• Embrace Freedom
• Lead Tirelessly
• Live Compassionately
• Amplify Unity

Texas Children’s Hospital’s primary request of its employees will always be to live its values to their fullest extent. Conversely, the hospital’s pledge to its employees is to always support them organization-wide so they can grow stronger, reach higher aspirations and continually achieve greater success.

Awards, Honors and Accreditations

U.S. News & World Report ranked Texas Children’s Hospital as the No. 2 Best Children’s Hospital in the nation in 2022-2023, after Boston Children’s Hospital. It ranked No. 1 in Texas and the Southwestern United States and nationally ranked in 10 children’s specialties, including:

• No. 1: Cardiology & Heart Surgery
• No. 1: Pulmonology
• No. 2: Neurology & Neurosurgery
• No. 3: Neonatology
• No. 3: Nephrology
• No. 4: Cancer
• No. 4: Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
• No. 5: Diabetes & Endocrinology
• No. 5: Urology
• No. 8: Orthopedics

TCH supports and empowers its 3,500-plus nurses, as evidenced by being Magnet-designated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for more than 15 years. It received its initial designation in 2003 and earned its fourth consecutive designation in March 2018. The ANCC Magnet Recognition Program recognizes less than 9% of healthcare organizations across the country for their nursing excellence, innovations in professional nursing practice and excellence in quality patient care.

Texas Children’s Hospital has achieved a Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Stage 7 designation for Inpatient and Ambulatory care across the system, demonstrating its success in implementing healthcare information technology to improve the delivery of patient care, safety and efficiency. Only 7%of hospitals nationwide achieved Stage 7 designation in 2019. TCH was also a 2022 HIMSS Davies Award winner.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation has recognized Texas Children’s Hospital as a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality.” TCH is one of just three hospitals to earn this award in Houston and the only pediatric facility.

Top Specialties at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston

TCH excels in many award-winning specialties, offering a wide array of professional career path options for nurses. Working in a nationally-ranked specialty at a top hospital makes an excellent addition to your resume.

Cardiology & Heart Surgery

Texas Children’s Heart Center ranked No. 1 for cardiology and heart surgery in 2022-2023 and has over half a century of experience caring for children’s hearts. It combines cutting-edge technology and promotes compassion in a family-centered approach, seeing over 23,000 patients and performing over 800 surgeries annually. The heart center’s team cares for children with the most complex congenital heart conditions and is an Accredited Pediatric Heart Failure Institute.

Pulmonary Medicine

TCH’s pulmonary medicine also ranked No. 1 in 2022-2023 and provides care for a broad range of respiratory disorders. It offers specialty clinics and services to treat children with pulmonary hypertension, severe asthma, cystic fibrosis, tracheostomy and ventilator issues, sickle cell-focused pulmonary issues, aerodigestive multispecialty clinics and various other chronic pulmonary issues. It also has one of the nation’s most extensive pediatric lung transplant programs.

Neurology & Neurosurgery

The Neuroscience Center at TCH offers comprehensive care for children with common neurological conditions like muscular dystrophy and epilepsy or more complex and rare disorders like Rett Syndrome and lissencephaly. As one of the largest neurology programs nationwide, it provides lifesaving treatments to 1,000s of critically ill children annually, with more than 20,000 scheduled visits each year.

Neonatology

Premature or sick infants find the special medical attention and care they need in the NICU within the TCH Newborn Center. TCH’s NICU was the first designated by the Texas Department of State Health Services as a Level IV NICU, the highest level of care available for premature and critically ill newborns. It provides care to over 1,800 infants annually, making it one of the largest NICUs in the nation.

Nephrology

TCH’s Renal Service provides diagnostic, therapeutic and long-term care to babies, children and adolescents with all types of acquired and congenital kidney diseases. It’s one of the most extensive programs worldwide, with care provided by a compassionate team of doctors, advanced practice providers (APPs), nurses, pharmacists, child-life specialists, social workers, psychologists, dietitians and quality of life leaders.

Cancer

TCH is one of the nation’s largest pediatric cancer and hematology centers, treating all types of pediatric cancer and blood disorders. It’s treated children from all 50 states and over 56 countries over the past decade. It provides cutting-edge, individualized medical treatment using the most family-centered care available and continues to expand and grow to serve its patients better.

Gastroenterology & GI Surgery

The Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Service at TCH pulls together multiple specialists to treat children around the nation with various gastrointestinal diseases and nutrition problems. More than 20,000 children use this service annually, making it one of the largest in the country. TCH treats a wide spectrum of gastrointestinal, hepatic, pancreatic and nutritional disorders, including specialty clinics and programs for Celiac Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, liver transplantation, aerodigestive, Neurogastroenterology, Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders, viral hepatitis and pancreaticobiliary.

Diabetes & Endocrinology

TCH’s Diabetes and Endocrine Care Center treat and educate newly diagnosed and established diabetes patients and their families, including self-management of all aspects of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It also provides diagnosis, treatment and follow-up for numerous endocrine dysfunctions, such as:

• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
• Cushing Syndrome
• Gender Dysphoria
• Growth hormone deficiency
• Hyper/Hypocalcaemia
• Hyper/Hypothyroidism
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
• Rickets

The clinic team consists of a nurse educator, doctor, social worker and dietitian, with patients seen through referrals only. The center is a leader in treating and researching endocrine disorders and diabetes in children.

Urology

The Urology Division at TCH provides the most advanced surgical care for routine urological needs and genitourinary problems related to trauma, congenital birth defects and various other medical conditions. Its urologists are experts in minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgical techniques, including delicate procedures for newborns and babies, urological conditions caused by spina bifida or other neurological problems, anorectal malformations and stone disease management. The Urology Division also offers transitional follow-up care for adolescents as they progress to adult care.

Orthopedics

TCH’s Orthopedic Surgery Programs cover everything from minor fractures to complex disorders, providing individualized care for newborns to young adults. More than 30 pediatric orthopedic surgeons and APPs care for children across Houston and the southeastern United States. Services include fracture and injury evaluation and routine injury and surgical follow-up. TCH’s orthopedic doctors and APPs also act as Baylor College of Medicine faculty members to teach medical students and participate in pediatric orthopedic research.

Working at Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Hospital has been recognized by Houston Business Journal’s Best Places to Work for 12 consecutive years. TCH employees can feel the personal satisfaction of being the best and receive the benefits and growth tools to empower them from day one. Many employees start working at TCH to positively impact healthcare, but they stay because of the hospital’s culture and values.

TCH believes its employees are vital to bringing its mission to life, so it’s created a facility with ample opportunities to grow your skill sets daily. The Texas Children’s Learning Academy provides top educational opportunities for employees seeking skill enhancement and career development, with targeted training and development for all TCH employees.

Nursing Programs

Nurse Residency Program

Texas Children’s Hospital offers a six-month Nurse Residency Program for first-year nurses interested in pediatric nursing and/or women’s services. The innovative program bridges the gap between nursing school and professional practice by providing an interactive and supportive environment. The Program helps graduate nurses to develop strategies to manage multiple patient assignments and overcome fears of making mistakes. Nurse Residents engage in the following:

• Communication Skills
• Critical Thinking Exercises
• Hands-on Skill Practice
• Interprofessional Collaboration
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Simulation

TCH’s Nurse Residency Program application acceptance dates coincide with nursing school graduation dates. The ANCC Practice Transition Accreditation Program has accredited the residency program since 2020. It delivers the professional behaviors, knowledge and skills new nurses need to smoothly transition from graduate to professional nurse and provide safe, high-quality patient care.

Nursing Professional Development

TCH’s Nursing Professional Development Department provides continuing education to nurses and interprofessional clinical staff to improve public health. Continuing education courses cover a broad range of topics featuring the latest healthcare trends and technologies in pediatrics, obstetrics and professional practice. Professional development supports TCH operations by providing system-side and community services that promote its clinical personnel’s ongoing development and continual improvement.

Programs for All HCPs

Continuing Education for All HCPs

Texas Children’s Hospital offers a wide array of continuing medical education (CME) courses featuring the latest healthcare trends and technologies in pediatric medicine. Its Online CME Program provides free seminars for pediatricians, family and general practitioners and other healthcare professionals who care for children. They can earn AMA PRA (American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award) Category I Credit online with renowned pediatric professionals from Baylor College of Medicine.

HCP Fellowships and Residencies

TCH has a wide range of fellowships and residencies for all types of healthcare professionals to help them develop the skill sets needed to excel in their chosen fields or transition to new ones. Some of the many programs available include:

• Administrative Fellowship
• Adolescent Medicine Fellowship
• Cancer and Hematology Center Fellowship and Educational Opportunities
• Child Abuse Pediatrics Fellowship
• Clinical Fellowship in Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
• Community Surgical Physician Assistant Fellowship
• Critical Care Medicine Fellowship
• Cardiac Critical Care Instructorship
• Developmental-Behavioral Fellowship
• Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Fellowship
• General Pediatric Residency Education
• Global Child Health Residency
• Global Women’s Health Fellowship
• Headache Fellowship Program
• International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT) Meets SICOT Observership
• Neonatology Education
• Nephrology Residency or Fellowship
• Neurology Residency
• Neurosurgical Fellowship
• Neurosurgical Residency
• Nutrition Internship or Fellowship
• Orthopedic Fellowship Opportunities
• Otolaryngology Fellowship
• Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Fellowship
• Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship
• Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery Fellowship
• Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship
• Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship
• Pediatric Infectious Disease Fellowship Program
• Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Physician Assistant Fellowship
• Pediatric Transplant Nutrition Fellowship
• Pharmacy Residency Programs
• Radiology Fellowships
• Sports Medicine Fellowship
• Sports Physical Therapy Residency
• Surgery Physician Assistant Fellowship
• Surgery Research Fellowships
• TCH/Baylor College of Medicine Orthopedic Surgery Research Fellowship
• Urology Fellowship

Benefits and Other Perks

Texas Children’s Hospital is committed to the overall well-being of all its healthcare team members, offering a comprehensive range of benefits for employees and their families to help keep them strong and healthy. Some top benefits the hospital offers include:

• Medical & Pharmacy Coverage: Choice of two Cigna medical plans, with prescription drug coverage through Express Scripts automatically included.
• Dental Coverage: Choice of two Cigna dental plans with the same benefits, whether using network or non-network dental providers, including child and adult orthodontia care.
• Vision Coverage: Administered through Cigna by VSP, including annual eye exam, prescription glasses and contact lenses coverage.
• Flexible Spending: Choice of two Flexible Spending Accounts to save money on eligible expenses.
• Retirement: All employees are eligible to start saving with TCH’s 403(b) Savings Plan immediately, with 50% matching on the first 6% contributed on a pre-tax or Roth after-tax per-paycheck basis.
• Life Insurance: Basic coverage provided at no cost, with optional coverage available for employees, their spouses and eligible dependents.
• Select Dollars: Additional dollars based on job status and years of service to further offset an employee’s cost of benefit coverage.
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment: Basic AD&D coverage equal to annual benefit base salary, rounded to the next $1,000 increment, with a maximum of $1 million coverage for basic and additional AD&D coverage available for a fee.
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability: Voluntary short-term or long-term disability coverage to supplement income and reduce financial hardship when away from work for an extended illness or injury, surgery, a serious accident or pregnancy.
• Personal Time Off: Generous PTO bank, extended illness bank, one “My Day” paid day off for any date of choice and eight paid holidays annually.
• Tuition Assistance: Provides financial assistance to employees taking college credit courses, with an annual benefit of $2,500 for full-time employees and $1,500 for part-time employees for tuition, textbooks and most school fees.
• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential counseling services for employees and their eligible dependents from an on-site EAP team of experienced, licensed and credentialed professionals.
• Employee Well-Being: Engaging and educational wellness programs designed to support employees in achieving optimal health and well-being.
• Employee Medical Services: Full-service primary care at the Employee Medical Clinical, including acute visits and preventative care.
• Employee Discounts: Various deals and discounts on movie and theme park tickets, mobile phones, dining and other attractions.
• Fertility Benefit: Employees covered under TCH’s medical plan can receive a $20,000 lifetime maximum fertility benefit with a TCH-approved provider.
• Adoption Assistance: Reimburses eligible adoption expenses up to $3,000 per adoption for full-time and part-time employees.

Travel Nursing at Texas Children’s Hospital Houston

Living in Houston offers world-class entertainment and adventure. Its diverse population provides a thriving blend of ethnic populations. HCPs seeking travel nursing jobs in Houston may be attracted to the city for its dynamic food scene, vibrant nightlife and attractive cost of living compared to many other large cities that’s about 4.5% less than the national average, per Sperling’s Best Places. Housing costs are nearly 25% lower than the national average, which can benefit staff and travel nurses alike.

More than 49 healthcare institutions are within walking distance in and around the renowned Texas Medical Center, including Texas Children’s Hospital, offering numerous opportunities for travel nurses to find temporary employment in the fourth-largest city in the nation. RN salaries in Houston tend to be higher than state and national averages, making all kinds of nursing jobs lucrative, especially since RNs living in Texas don’t pay state income taxes.

Getting to Work and Parking

Texas Children’s Hospital is one of the last healthcare institutions in the Texas Medical Center that still offers paid parking for its employees. It also provides a complimentary shuttle service for convenient, reliable transportation throughout the medical campus. The shuttle service operates two routes, with one having access to MetroRail when the route isn’t running.

Employees working after hours in Abercrombie, Feigin, Wallace Tower or West Tower can park in Wallace Tower/Garage 16 on weekends for free from 6 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Monday. Outside these hours, employees can’t park in TCH Garage 16 or anytime in TCH Garages 12 or 21 for work purposes. Employees are also prohibited from using valet services for work purposes. Garages 14 and 19 at the Meyer Building offer free, dedicated employee parking, with a frequently circulating fleet of employee shuttles. They may also grab a shuttle to the hospital when parking off campus in designated lots.

On-Campus and Nearby Amenities

On-campus, employees can enjoy a freshly brewed cup of Starbucks coffee, with the coffee shop in the main lobby of the TCH West Campus open Mondays through Sundays from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The TCH West Campus also offers beverages, snacks and meals at Dot’s Cafeteria on the 1st floor, Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vending machines can be found in the dining area, Emergency Center and PICU Family Lounge.

Just blocks from TCH and Baylor College of Medicine, Rice Village offers nearby amenities, including dining and shopping, with 350 restaurants, retail shops and various services. Hermann Park is also within walking distance of TCH and offers 445 acres of greenspace and gardens for relaxing before or after work. The park conjoins the Museum District, boasting 11 museums, the Houston Garden Center, Houston Zoo and Miller Outdoor Theatre.

Contact

Texas Children’s Hospital
1102 Bates Avenue
Houston, TX 77030
(832) 824-1000