NICU Registered Nurse
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson Medical Center

NICU Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Position

Location: Tucson, Arizona
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Overview

• Night shift: 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
• Patient ratio: 1:3 in NICU; ICU float assignments are 1:1 or 1:2
• Float assignments to Pediatrics (PEDS) and Pediatric ICU (PICU) caring for infants 6 months or younger, often Level II NICU overflow patients
• No on-call required
• Busy, high-volume delivery hospital with neonatal transport team
• Approximately 6 weekend shifts per contract
• No first-time travelers accepted
• No local candidates within 75 miles

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Arizona
• Minimum 2 years of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) experience, including experience within the last year
• Completion of at least one travel nursing assignment
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support) issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program)
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) certification

Licensure

• NURSYS verification required within 30 days of start

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start, signed by physician, NP, or PA
• Fit testing for N95 mask within 1 year of start (PAPR onsite allowed)
• Negative TB test (QuantiFERON Gold, Tspot, or PPD) within 3 months of start; if positive, chest x-ray and symptom questionnaire required
• Immunizations or titers required with no declinations allowed for:

  • Rubeola (Measles)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Varicella
• Hepatitis B vaccine or positive titer required; declinations allowed with signed form within past year
• Full Tdap vaccine within past 10 years required; declinations allowed except for Pediatrics, PICU, Pediatric ER, Mom & Baby, and Labor & Delivery units (no declinations allowed in these units)
• Seasonal flu vaccine required during flu season (Oct 1 – Apr 30); medical or religious exemptions require facility-specific forms and approval

Background & Screening

• Background check must be completed and cleared within 30 days of assignment start; includes 7-year history, OFAC, National Sex Offender, and all counties/states lived or worked
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks within 30 days of start
• Drug testing (12 panel) within 30 days of start, must be started within 72 hours of booking

Orientation & Onboarding

• Orientation held twice monthly; attendance required
• Facility-specific job description and orientation sign-off required
• Traveler welcome letter must be signed prior to start

Additional Requirements

• Must provide 2 professional references from employment within last 3 years; one must be supervisory
• Employment application with last 7 years of work history; gaps over 30 days must be explained
• Skills checklist updated annually
• Acknowledgement of pass/fail testing required for certain units

Work Environment Notes

• High volume, busy NICU with neonatal transport team
• Floating to PEDS/PICU involves care of infants 6 months or younger
• Floating to ICU involves 1:1 or 1:2 patient assignments
• Floating to well newborns in Labor & Delivery or Mom & Baby units may occur for assessments, vitals, and labs
• Historically busiest July through December; floating likelihood lower during this period

This summary includes all relevant details for healthcare recruiters and workers considering this NICU travel nurse position.