CVPICU Registered Nurse
Orange, California
Children's Hospital of Orange County

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse – CVPICU (Travel/Contract)

Location

• Orange, California

Contract Length

• 13 weeks

Schedule

• Night shift options: 3 or 4 shifts per week, 12 hours each (typically 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM)
• Weekend requirement: 4 weekend shifts per month, including some holidays
• Return to office (RTO): Maximum 7 days
• Scheduling: Self-scheduled
• On-call: Not required

Unit and Patient Population

• Cardiovascular Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (CVPICU)
• Patient population mostly surgical, majority are infants
• High variability in acuity
• Procedures and equipment include:

  • ECMO (technicians operate pumps)
  • Nitric Oxide therapy
  • Pacemakers
  • Chest tubes
  • Invasive monitors
  • Bedside procedures such as chest tube placement and cardioversions
• Floating required: Must float to PICU or NICU first; may also float to Pediatric Medical/Surgical Oncology floor
• No floating to Emergency Department or Mental Health units

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in California
• Minimum 2 years of CVPICU experience, including experience within the last year
• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) experience
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) experience
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Certifications issued by the American Heart Association:

  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
  • BLS (Basic Life Support)
  • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)

Documentation and Compliance Requirements

• Background checks within 60 days of start, including:

  • 7-year criminal background check with SSN trace and alias verification
  • National sex offender registry check
  • Education verification (highest degree)
  • EPLS/GSA/SAM and OIG checks
• Drug screening: Negative 9-panel drug test within 60 days of start (instant drug screens not accepted)
• Health requirements:

  • Negative TB test (IGRA or 2-step PPD) within 60 days or valid chest X-ray if prior positive
  • Annual TB questionnaire
  • Tdap vaccine required (TD or Dtap not accepted)
  • Flu vaccine or approved medical/religious exemption required during flu season (Sept 9 – Mar 31)
  • Fit mask testing prior to start (cannot be completed onsite)
  • Physical exam within 1 year (Aya standard)
  • Visual acuity exam (in-person) prior to start
  • Color blind exam (Ishihara test) if applicable
  • Immunity or vaccination proof for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B
• References: Two supervisor references required (may be pending at start)
• Work history verification: Minimum 2 previous employers, up to 7 years relevant experience, must be complete prior to start
• Skills checklist: Unit-specific, signed and dated by employee

Orientation and Onboarding

• Completion of facility-specific orientation modules prior to starting on the floor (6-8 hours, deadlines strictly enforced)
• Facility orientation includes both virtual and in-person components
• Badge photo required (professional quality, clear face, solid background)
• Various facility-specific documents must be reviewed and signed prior to start, including:

  • Job description acknowledgment
  • Non-disclosure agreement
  • Safety manual acknowledgment
  • Dress code acknowledgment (strict fingernail hygiene policy: no artificial nails, natural nails ≤ ¼ inch, fresh chip-free polish)
  • Mission, vision, and values acknowledgment
  • Professional accountability acknowledgment (for NICU RNs)
• Pyxis access request form must be completed prior to start
• Additional NICU-specific education acknowledgments and position statements required for NICU travelers

Additional Notes

• Floating to PICU or NICU is mandatory; floating to other units limited to Pediatric Medical/Surgical Oncology
• No floating to Emergency Department or Mental Health units
• ECMO pumps operated by technicians; RN involvement in bedside procedures expected
• No on-call duties
• Travel candidates must be in the area by their start date to complete orientation and onboarding requirements
• Facility enforces strict COVID-19 vaccination preference but not mandatory; religious and medical exemptions available for COVID-19 and flu vaccines with required documentation and approval processes

This position is ideal for experienced pediatric critical care RNs comfortable with high-acuity surgical infant patients and flexible floating assignments within pediatric intensive care settings.