NICU Registered Nurse
Mission Viejo, California
Children's Hospital of Orange County at Mission

Job Opportunity: NICU Registered Nurse

Location: Mission Viejo, California
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Details

• Shift: 3x12 hour night shifts
• Start Date: March 9 or April 6
• Unit: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Level IIIb
• Patient Population: Prematurity, respiratory distress, multiples, late pre-terms, ELBW, hypoglycemics, sepsis, NAS, occasional surgeries, and other varied diagnoses
• Unit Characteristics: Small children’s hospital within a community-based adult trauma hospital; no residents/fellows; neonatologists on site 24/7
• Census: Typically 8 to 16 patients
• Care Philosophy: Developmental care and family-centered care; progressive environment

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in California
• Minimum 2 years of NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care) experience, including experience within the last year
• Experience in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
• Experience working with pediatric patients
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) / Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certification issued by the American Heart Association

Additional Requirements

• Prior Travel Experience: Preferred but not required; first-time travelers accepted if a good character fit
• Competency: Must pass NICU Pharmacology competency exam with at least 80%
• Orientation:

  • Combination of virtual and in-person orientation (approx. 6-8 hours virtual modules plus 8 hours in-person)
  • Must complete unit-specific orientation and education acknowledgments prior to start
• Health Requirements:

  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 60 days of start (or valid documentation for past positive)
  • Fit mask testing prior to start (specific mask types required)
  • Tdap vaccine required (TD or Dtap not accepted)
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season
  • Drug screening within 60 days of start (9-panel, negative result)
  • Visual acuity exam prior to start (in-person)
  • Color blind exam (Ishihara test) if applicable
• Background Checks:

  • Criminal background check within 60 days of start
  • National and local checks including SSN trace, sex offender registry, education verification
• References: Two supervisor references required (charge RN or floor supervisor acceptable)
• Work History: Verification of at least 2 previous employers covering 7 years of relevant experience
• Licensure: Valid RN license for California (paperless system; no physical copy required)

Unit & Facility Notes

• Neonatologists available 24/7 onsite
• Ability to manage a wide range of acuity and diagnoses is essential
• Progressive, family-centered care environment
• Floating to other pediatric units required

Summary

This is a 13-week travel contract for an experienced NICU RN with at least 2 years of specialty experience, ventilator skills, and pediatric/PICU float experience. The position requires night shifts with every other weekend coverage and no on-call duties. Certifications in BCLS and PALS are mandatory. Orientation includes both virtual and in-person components. Prior travel experience is preferred but not mandatory. The role demands flexibility to float to related pediatric units and the ability to handle a diverse patient population in a Level IIIb NICU setting.