Pediatric Stepdown RN
Chicago, IL
GHR Healthcare - PH Division
3x12 hrs

Job Opportunity: Pediatric Stepdown Registered Nurse (RN)

Location: Chicago, Illinois
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Position Overview

• Specialty: Pediatric Stepdown RN (PICU experience preferred)
• Unit: Inpatient unit with 39 beds, caring for patients aged 2 weeks to 18 years
• Patient Population: 50-60% technology dependent (ventilators, tracheostomies, G tubes)
• Shift Options: 3x12 or 4x12 hour shifts (both accepted)
• Ratios: 1:3-4 patient ratio
• Weekend Requirement: Scheduled every other weekend
• Floating: Clinician may float within scope to meet facility needs
• Locals accepted at same rate as travelers
• Guaranteed Hours:

  • 36 hours for 3-12 hour shifts
  • 48 hours for 4-12 hour shifts
  • 40 hours for shifts less than 12 hours (8 or 10 hour shifts)

Required Qualifications

• License: Active Illinois RN license in hand at time of submission (Compact licenses NOT accepted)
• Experience: Minimum 2 years of RN experience required
• Certifications:

  • BCLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA required
  • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) - AHA required
• Special Skills:

  • Experience with vents, tracheostomy, and G tube care required
  • Experience with 1:4 patient ratio required
  • Meditech charting experience required
• Other Requirements:

  • Flu vaccine required (medical and religious exemptions accepted)
  • COVID vaccination required (exemptions not accepted; booster preferred)
  • Weekend work required every other weekend
  • No on-call required
  • Pending Illinois RN license accepted if active license will be obtained before start
  • Return to Office (RTO) restrictions apply and must be approved before contract start

Additional Information

• First-time travelers not accepted
• The unit cares for acute and chronic pediatric patients, including those with chronic ventilators and tracheostomies; no drips or surgical patients
• Scrub color: Any color, neat and clean; pediatric-themed encouraged
• Charting system: Meditech
• Free parking available in shared public lots

Health and Compliance Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Immunizations/vaccines required:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (within past 10 years)
  • Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Rubella (two vaccinations or positive titer; boosters and declinations as applicable)
  • Hepatitis B vaccination series or positive titer
  • Varicella (positive titer or proof of 2 vaccines)
  • Seasonal flu vaccine (declinations not accepted during flu season Sept-April)
  • COVID vaccine required (exemptions not accepted)
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year of start (2-step PPD, Qgold/TSPOT, or clear chest X-ray)
• Drug screen within 30 days prior to start (comprehensive panel including amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, ecstasy, opiates, oxycodone, PCP)

Background and Screening Requirements

• 7-year background check including:

  • SS trace and verification
  • County, statewide, and nationwide searches
  • Sex offender registry checks (including Illinois state-specific)
  • Education verification
  • Illinois Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking (CANT) system screening (authorization form required; results can be pending at start)
  • Illinois Nurses Aide Registry check (required for all travelers)
• Annual EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks
• Social Security verification prior to start

Orientation and Training

• Virtual new hire orientation required
• Facility-specific HIPAA and general orientation forms must be reviewed and signed
• Medication test/pharmacology competency exam required (minimum 80% or Angoff score)
• Annual skills checklist required

Summary

This is a pediatric stepdown RN travel contract in Chicago, IL, requiring an active Illinois RN license, 2+ years of experience, and specialized skills in caring for technology-dependent pediatric patients. The role demands weekend work every other weekend, flu and COVID vaccinations, and compliance with extensive background and health screenings. The unit uses Meditech for charting and offers flexible 12-hour shift options. First-time travelers are not accepted.