Pediatric Cardiac ICU RN
Newark, NJ
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights

Registered Nurse – CVPICU (Pediatric Cardiac ICU)

Location: Newark, New Jersey
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each, 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
Hours per Week: 36

Job Summary

Provide specialized nursing care in a 19-bed Pediatric Cardiac ICU unit caring for infants, adolescents, and pediatric patients with complex cardiac conditions. The unit includes patients with congenital heart disease, post-cardiac surgery, and advanced cardiac support devices.

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in New Jersey
• Minimum 2 years of CVPICU experience, with at least some experience within the last year
• At least one completed travel nursing assignment
• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) experience
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Clinical skills including chest tube and intubation assistance, ETCO2 monitoring, and high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) management
• Proficiency with the Broselow system for pediatric dosage calculations
• Experience with specialty procedures such as peritoneal dialysis, pre/post hemodialysis care, lumbar puncture assistance, hydrocephalus/VP shunt care, and chemotherapy monitoring

Scheduling & Work Conditions

• Weekend work: every other weekend required
• Holiday work: must work 1 of 2 or 2 of 3 holidays as needed by unit
• Call-off policy: allowed 1 shift call-off per 2 weeks
• Floating: may float to Pediatrics and NICU for appropriate assignments within skillset
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: approximately 1:2 or higher depending on census and acuity
• Scrubs color: Navy Blue

Hospital & Unit Highlights

• The unit is part of a premier pediatric hospital with the largest Pediatric Critical Care Center and only Cardiac ICU in the state
• Advanced therapies available include ECMO, nitric oxide, and VAD support
• Comprehensive care for congenital heart defects and complex cardiac surgeries
• Level IV Regional Perinatal Center and neonatal ECMO program on site

Required Pre-Employment & Ongoing Compliance

Background & Verification

• Criminal background check within 30 days of start (including alias and multi-level searches)
• Employment application or resume with 7 years of work history
• Work history verification for at least 1 year prior to start (NJ state requirement)
• Two professional references within last 2 years (one managerial)

Health & Immunizations

• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 3 months of start
• Physical exam within 12 months confirming ability to perform essential job functions and free of communicable disease
• Drug screen (10-panel urine) within 30 days of start
• Required immunizations or proof of immunity:

  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella (positive IgG titers or vaccine documentation)
  • Varicella (positive IgG titer or vaccine documentation)
  • Hepatitis B immunity or vaccine compliance
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap within past 10 years
• Annual influenza vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption required
• Respiratory medical clearance and on-site fit testing for respirators (mandatory)
• Latex allergy screening questionnaire if job tasks require glove use

Competency & Testing Requirements

• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam within 72 hours of signing contract
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam (required for PICU and critical care units)
• IV Therapy/Infusion competency exam within 72 hours of signing
• Pass/fail testing for EKG and medication exams with remediation policy
• Color blindness testing within 1 year if job tasks require color discrimination

Training & Orientation

• Completion of annual education sign-off prior to start
• Review and sign attestation for blood transfusion reaction procedure and SBAR communication
• Completion of facility-specific floating policy acknowledgment
• Completion of Vendor Medical Clearance Form if history of positive TB
• Completion of Respiratory Safety questionnaire prior to start
• Completion of Baxter orientation videos and attestation (RNs only)

Additional Notes

• Prior travel experience is not accepted; first-time travelers are not accepted for this assignment
• Locals are accepted at the same rate
• Candidates must float only within their skillset without exception
• Documentation must be accurate and consistent with legal names, including any name changes properly documented

This position is ideal for experienced PICU RNs with strong cardiac critical care skills seeking a travel contract in a high-acuity pediatric cardiac ICU setting.