NICU Registered Nurse
Berkeley, California
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Ashby Campus

NICU Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Job - Berkeley, California

Position Details

• Job Title: NICU Registered Nurse
• Location: Berkeley, California
• Employment Type: Travel/Contract
• Shift: Day shift, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 AM - 7:30 PM)
• Hours per Week: 36 hours
• Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description / Responsibilities

• Provide competent, compassionate, and cost-effective patient care in accordance with unit and hospital policies and nursing standards.
• Plan and coordinate delivery of care to ensure patient safety, comfort, hygiene, and a safe environment.
• Prioritize and provide patient care in routine and complex situations.
• Serve as liaison between nursing and medical staff to facilitate collaborative patient care.
• Coordinate involvement of patient, physician, family, and health team members to optimize patient care and resource use.
• Initiate and direct emergency interventions calmly and competently.
• Administer treatments, medications, and nursing skills timely.
• Maintain current knowledge of patient status and monitor patient perception of care.
• Inform physicians of significant changes in patient condition.
• Conduct initial and ongoing patient/family assessments including biophysical, psychosocial, spiritual, environmental, self-care, educational, and discharge planning factors.
• Complete nursing assessments within 24 hours of admission.
• Develop, implement, and modify individualized patient care plans in collaboration with patient/family, physicians, and other disciplines.
• Identify and monitor patients at risk for adverse events and implement precautions.
• Evaluate effectiveness of care plans and modify as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in California.
• Minimum of 1 year of recent experience in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).

Background and Compliance Requirements

• 7-year background check including SSN trace with all aliases, county searches, nationwide sex offender search, education verification, and motor vehicle report if applicable.
• FACIS Level 3 screening required within 2 weeks of start and monthly thereafter.
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required and updated annually.
• Education verification required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred.
• Sex offender search must be run within 90 days of start.
• Various state and federal sanction list checks as applicable.
• Employment application must include full 7 years of work history with no gaps.
• Employment verification for up to 7 years required; gaps over 30 days must be explained.
• References: 2 professional references required within 3 years for clinical positions.

Health and Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start, cleared for work.
• Fit mask test within 1 year, renewed annually (exceptions apply).
• Adult Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine within 10 years or lifetime TDAP with booster within 10 years.
• Negative TB test (QGold or TSPOT within 90 days) or 2-step PPD; annual renewal required.
• Immunity or vaccination documentation for:

  • Measles (Rubeola)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B (series or declination)
  • Varicella
• Negative 9-panel drug screen within 6 months (excluding marijuana/cannabinoids per CA law).
• Seasonal flu vaccination or signed declination required during flu season (Nov 1 - Apr 30).
• Color blindness exam if applicable (in-person exam only).
• Respiratory safety clearance required annually (not required for some non-clinical roles).

Competency and Skills

• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam as applicable.
• Basic Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam may be required for some telemetry units.
• Unit-specific skills checklist required and renewed annually.

Facility-Specific Documents (Must Review/Sign Prior to Start)

• Job description acknowledgment
• Standards of business conduct
• Conditional offer of employment attestation
• General regulatory orientation for contracted workers
• HIPAA agreement
• Confidentiality agreement
• Report of abuse
• IT department statement of confidentiality
• Orientation booklet and post-test
• Vendor training and code of conduct (for contracts signed 5/31/24 and beyond)
• Overpayment refund policy (for contracts signed 5/31/24 and beyond)
• TB questionnaire signed by candidate and healthcare provider within 90 days of start, renewed annually
• Epic questionnaire (RN only, required for new candidates starting 11/3/2025 and onward)

Additional Notes

• Prior travel experience is not explicitly required.
• No on-call duties.
• Weekend work every other weekend.
• Must comply with all immunization and health screening requirements.
• Must complete all required background checks and verifications prior to start.

This position offers an opportunity to work in a specialized NICU environment on a travel contract basis with a reputable healthcare system in California.