Pediatric Stepdown RN
Chicago, Illinois
La Rabida Children's Hospital

Registered Nurse - Pediatric Stepdown (Travel/Contract)

Location: Chicago, Illinois
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)
• Acute care unit for children with chronic illness; no drips or surgical patients, transitional patients only
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:3-4 (1:4 ratio experience required)
• Floating within scope to meet facility needs required
• Weekend shifts required every other weekend
• Block scheduling accommodations available
• Locals accepted at same rate as travelers
• Pending Illinois RN license accepted, but active IL RN license required at submission (compact licenses not accepted)

Experience & Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of RN experience required
• Prior travel experience: Not accepted for first-timers (first-timers NOT accepted)
• Required certifications:

  • Valid Illinois RN license (active at time of submission)
  • BCLS (Basic Life Support)
  • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• Preferred certifications: ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Procedure)
• Required skills:

  • Experience with vents, tracheostomies, and G tubes
  • Meditech charting experience
• Flu vaccine required (medical and religious exemptions accepted)
• COVID vaccination required (exemptions NOT accepted; booster preferred)

Work Hours & Scheduling

• Guaranteed hours:

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

Facility Highlights

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

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Background checks including:

  • 7-year comprehensive background check (SS trace, county/statewide/nationwide searches, sex offender registry, education verification, IL abuse registry)
  • Annual EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks
• State-specific searches: Illinois Nurses Aide Registry, Sex Offender Register, Child Abuse/Neglect Search (IL CANT)
• Drug screen within 30 days prior to start (comprehensive panel including amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, ecstasy, opiates, oxycodone, PCP)
• Health documents required:

  • Physical exam within 1 year
  • Immunizations: Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (within 10 years), Rubeola (measles), Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella (vaccines or positive titers)
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year
  • Seasonal flu vaccination (declinations NOT accepted)
  • COVID vaccination (exemptions NOT accepted)
• Competency exams and medication/pharmacology tests as applicable
• Orientation and training: Virtual new hire orientation and general orientation required
• References: 2 professional references for travel/allied/per diem acute care within 3 years

Additional Notes

• This is a unique inpatient pediatric stepdown unit with a high level of technology-dependent patients
• The role requires flexibility, strong pediatric critical care skills, and the ability to work in a specialized environment caring for medically complex children
• Prior travel experience is required; first-time travelers will not be considered for this position

This summary provides the key information relevant to healthcare recruiters and healthcare workers considering this Pediatric Stepdown RN travel contract in Chicago, IL.