NICU Registered Nurse
Laguna Hills, California
Saddleback Memorial Medical Center - Laguna Hills

NICU Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Job - California, Laguna Hills

Position Overview

• Role: NICU Registered Nurse (Level III or IV experience preferred)
• Shift: Nights, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (19:00 - 07:30)
• Contract Length: 13 weeks
• Work includes both bedside nursing and charge nurse responsibilities (charge pay applies for charge shifts)
• Floating required between Labor & Delivery and possibly other units
• Weekend shifts scheduled as needed
• Patient Age Group: Neonates and Infants

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid RN license in California
• Minimum 3 years of NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care) experience, including experience within the last year
• Completion of at least one travel nursing assignment
• BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) certification
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Experience in charge nurse roles

Required Certifications

• Registered Nurse license valid in California
• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program)
• Advanced NRP
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) may be required depending on qualification
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) may be required depending on qualification

Required Skills & Clinical Competencies

• Attend high-risk deliveries
• Care for neonates ≥ 34 weeks gestation
• Dysrhythmia interpretation and management
• Blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration
• Phototherapy and breastfeeding support
• Feeding methods: bottle, breast, gavage
• Placement and management of oral, nasogastric, and nasojejunal tubes
• Isolation precautions and sepsis workup
• Administration of blood and blood products
• Arterial line management and central line blood draws
• IV insertion and maintenance, including umbilical artery and vein catheters (UAC, UVC)
• Neonatal dosage calculations and medication administration (antibiotics, antivirals, anti-seizure meds, IV vasopressors)
• Assist with lumbar puncture
• Manage neonatal abstinence syndrome and seizure disorders
• APGAR scoring and developmental care
• Patient and family teaching
• Phlebotomy and thermoregulation
• Respiratory support including Bubble CPAP, high flow nasal cannula, ventilator management (AC/PC/SIMV/CPAP/BIPAP/PEEP), high frequency ventilation, inhaled nitric oxide, oscillators, and vapotherm
• Management of chest tubes and tracheostomy care
• Endotracheal tube suctioning
• Respiratory distress syndrome management

Systems & Documentation

• Medication system: Omnicell
• Documentation system: EPIC (completion of EPIC education modules required prior to start)
• Communication system: SBAR

Compliance & Onboarding Requirements

• Government-issued photo ID
• Background checks including 7-year work/school history, SS trace, sex offender registry, EPLS/GSA/SAM, and HHS/OIG checks
• Drug screening: Negative 9-panel drug screen within 1 year (excluding marijuana panel due to California state restrictions)
• Physical exam within 1 year
• N95 fit test within 1 year (annual renewal required)
• Immunizations and titers:

  • TDAP within last 10 years (declination allowed)
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year, with annual TB questionnaire
  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella: positive titer or 2 vaccines (boosters if low/equivocal titers; declinations allowed if pregnant/immunocompromised)
  • Hepatitis B surface antibody titer (declination allowed if low/equivocal)
  • Varicella: positive titer or 2 vaccines (declination allowed if low/equivocal)
• Seasonal flu vaccine required November 1 - April 30 (declination allowed; masking required if declined)
• COVID vaccination record preferred
• Completion of facility-specific modules prior to start:

  • HIPAA education
  • EPIC education
  • YouLearn modules
• Unit-specific skills checklist updated annually
• Medication calculation and dysrhythmia/EKG competency exams required
• Color blindness testing required annually
• Annual internal evaluation if employed for 1 year or more
• Two professional references required
• Employment application required

Additional Notes

• Candidates within 50 miles of the facility may be eligible for local rate consideration
• Candidates must be prepared to float between units as needed
• No first-time travel nurses accepted; prior travel experience is implied as required
• Clear headshot photo required for badge issuance
• Facility policies on dress, hand hygiene, and drug/alcohol free workplace must be reviewed prior to start

This position is ideal for experienced NICU RNs with strong clinical skills in high-acuity neonatal care and charge nurse experience, seeking a night shift travel assignment in California.