Pediatric Stepdown RN
Chicago, IL
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Days

Job Opportunity: Pediatric Stepdown Registered Nurse (RN) - Travel/Contract

Location: Chicago, Illinois
Specialty: Registered Nurse (Pediatric Stepdown, PICU experience preferred)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Position Overview

• Work on a unique inpatient pediatric stepdown unit with 39 beds, caring for patients aged 2 weeks to 18 years.
• Approximately 50-60% of patients have technology dependence (e.g., ventilators, tracheostomies, G tubes).
• Acute care unit focused on children with chronic illnesses.
• No drips or surgical patients; transitional patients included.
• Ratios: 1 nurse to 3-4 patients.
• Weekend shifts required every other weekend.
• Floating within scope of practice may be required.
• Block scheduling accommodations available.
• Locals accepted at the same rate as travelers.

Requirements

Licensure & Certifications

• Illinois RN License: Must have an active IL RN license at time of submission (compact licenses not accepted).
• Certifications Required:

  • BCLS (Basic Life Support)
  • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• Preferred but not required:

  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
  • NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Procedure)

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of RN experience required.
• Experience with ventilators, tracheostomies, and G tubes is required.
• Experience working with 1:4 nurse-to-patient ratios required.
• Meditech charting experience required.
• Prior travel experience not required.
• First-time travelers not accepted.

Work Schedule

• Guaranteed hours:

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

Additional Information

Patient Population

• Pediatric patients with chronic illnesses.
• Technology-dependent children requiring specialized care.

Facility Details

• Children's hospital setting.
• Total staffed beds: 62.
• Scrub color: Any neat and clean color; pediatric-themed scrubs encouraged.
• Charting system: Meditech.
• Free parking available.

Health & Compliance Requirements

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

  • Flu vaccine (declinations accepted for medical/religious reasons)
  • COVID vaccination (exemptions not accepted; booster preferred)
  • 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)
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year.
• Drug screening within 30 days prior to start (comprehensive panel required).

Background & Screening

• 7-year background check including:

  • SSN verification
  • County, statewide, and nationwide searches
  • Sex offender registry checks (IL-specific required)
  • Education verification
  • IL Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking system (CANT) screening (authorization form required; results can be pending at start)
• Annual federal exclusions and sanctions checks (EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG).
• Illinois Nurses Aide Registry check required.

Orientation & Training

• Virtual new hire orientation and general orientation required.
• Medication/pharmacology competency exam required (minimum 80% or Angoff score).
• Annual skills checklist required.
• Bystander intervention training certificate required (facility located in Chicago, IL).

Notes

• Return to Office (RTO) requests must be approved and included in the contract before the start date; no additions allowed after contract start.
• Facility encourages neat and clean scrubs; pediatric-themed scrubs are welcomed.
• On-call duties are not required.

This position is ideal for experienced pediatric stepdown RNs with strong skills in technology-dependent patient care and Meditech charting, looking for a travel contract in a specialized children's hospital setting.