NICU Registered Nurse
Columbus, OH
Host Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

NICU Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Position

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each; 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
Hours per Week: 36

Job Overview

Provide specialized nursing care to neonates in a Level III NICU, including patients from 22 weeks gestation and above. Care focuses on respiratory distress, glucose management, surgical and cardiac interventions, and complex neonatal conditions.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver comprehensive care to neonates, including those under 24-28 weeks gestation.
• Manage respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and infectious disease conditions.
• Administer medications using Pyxis system, including IV vasopressors, surfactants, and steroids.
• Perform arterial line and central line management, and interventions for neonatal abstinence syndrome.
• Oversee ventilator settings and adjustments (AC/PC/SIMV/CPAP/BIPAP/PEEP).
• Document patient care accurately and timely using EPIC system.
• Use SBAR communication method for effective interaction with healthcare providers and families.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members including nurse practitioners, pharmacy, respiratory therapy, radiology, social services, and others.

Required Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

Required Experience and Skills

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio.
• Minimum of 1 year of recent experience in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Competency in cardiovascular dysrhythmia interpretation and management.
• Expertise in infection control measures and IV therapy, including umbilical artery and vein catheter management.

Required Licensure

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license for Ohio.
• License verification must be completed within 30 days of start.
• NURSYS verification required for RN license.

Background and Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, including FBI and BCI fingerprinting with specific code requirements.
• Monthly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG monitoring.
• Education accreditation confirmation from an accredited nursing program (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA).
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug test within 3 months of start (no pending tests allowed).
• Physical exam within 1 year of start confirming good health and free of contagious disease.
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • Tdap (adult dose after age 11/12)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year
  • TB questionnaire
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) with 2 vaccines or positive titers
  • Hepatitis B titer or 3-vaccine series (declination acceptable)
  • Varicella vaccines or positive titer (medical exemption requires documentation)
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season (10/1 - 3/31)
• Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training certificate required prior to start and updated annually.
• Background acknowledgement and dress code/hand hygiene policy must be reviewed and signed.
• Orientation safety manual acknowledgement required annually.

Competency Exams

• Medication Test/Pharmacology competency exam required prior to start.
• Unit-specific competency exam required.
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 1 year of start and updated annually (minimum passing score 76%).

References and Documentation

• Two professional references required; at least one must be from a manager or formal leadership.
• Employment application required, including education verification for nursing candidates.
• Skills checklist required.

Additional Notes

• Prior experience at a major pediatric hospital will be given special consideration.
• Parking permits are available for purchase but are not included as part of the job offer.
• Fingerprinting must be completed using specified codes and within required timeframes; delays can impact start dates.
• Candidates must comply with all facility-specific policies and procedures.

This position offers the opportunity to work in a high-acuity NICU environment with a multidisciplinary team, providing critical care to vulnerable neonates.