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

Pediatric Stepdown Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: Chicago, Illinois
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Overview

• Work on a unique inpatient pediatric stepdown unit with 39 beds, caring for patients aged 2 weeks to 18 years.
• Patient population includes multiple specialties; 50-60% are technology dependent (ventilators, tracheostomies, G tubes).
• Acute care unit for children with chronic illnesses; no drips or surgical patients.
• Shift options: 3x12-hour or 4x12-hour night shifts (19:00–7:00).
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:3-4.
• Weekend work required every other weekend.
• Floating within scope of practice may be required.
• Locals accepted at the same rate as travelers.

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Illinois.
• Minimum 2 years of pediatric Progressive Care Unit (PCU) or stepdown experience, with at least 1 year of recent pediatric PCU experience.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• PALS certification.
• Experience with ventilators, tracheostomies, and gastrostomy (G) tubes.
• Experience working with 1:4 nurse-to-patient ratios.
• Experience with MEDITECH electronic charting system.

Schedule & Hours

• Guaranteed hours:

  • 36 hours for 3x12-hour shifts
  • 48 hours for 4x12-hour shifts
  • 40 hours for shifts less than 12 hours (8- or 10-hour shifts)

Additional Requirements & Notes

• On-call not required.
• Return to Office (RTO) requests must be approved and included in the contract before start date; no additions after contract start.
• Scrub color: any neat and clean color; pediatric-themed encouraged.
• Free parking available in shared public lots.

Pre-Employment & Compliance Requirements

• Government-issued photo ID required.
• Emergency contact form required prior to start.
• Hand-signed SSA release form for Social Security verification.
• Background checks including:

  • 7-year history (SS trace, county/statewide/nationwide searches, sex offender registry, education verification, abuse registry).
  • Annual EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks.
• Illinois-specific checks:

  • Child Abuse/Neglect Tracking system (CANT) search authorization and results.
  • Nurses Aide Registry search.
  • Sex Offender Registry search.
• Drug screen within 30 days prior to start covering a comprehensive panel (amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, ecstasy, opiates, oxycodone, PCP).
• Physical exam within 1 year of start date.
• Immunizations and titers required or proof of vaccination for:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (within 10 years)
  • Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Rubella (two vaccinations or positive titer; boosters and declinations if low titer)
  • Hepatitis B (vaccination series or positive titer; declination or new series if low/negative)
  • Varicella (positive titer or proof of two vaccines)
• Annual competency exams and medication/pharmacology competency testing required.
• Facility-specific orientation and HIPAA forms must be reviewed and signed.
• Virtual new hire orientation via video review and acknowledgment required.
• Two professional references required (travel, allied, or per diem acute care within 3 years).

Summary

This is a pediatric stepdown RN travel contract position requiring a minimum of 2 years pediatric nursing experience, active Illinois RN licensure, and specific certifications (BLS, PALS). The role involves caring for technology-dependent pediatric patients in an acute care setting with a 1:3-4 nurse-to-patient ratio, working night shifts with weekend requirements. Candidates must meet extensive pre-employment screening, immunization, and competency requirements. Prior travel experience is not accepted for first-timers.