NICU Registered Nurse
Kansas City, Missouri
Saint Luke's North Hospital - Barry Road Campus

Registered Nurse - NICU Travel/Contract Position

Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

Seeking a Registered Nurse for a Level II NICU (5 beds) caring for neonates 29 weeks and older. The unit admits infants 34 weeks and above; lower gestational age infants are transferred to higher-level NICUs. The nurse will provide care in NICU II and may float to well newborn nursery/postpartum within scope. Cross-training in deliveries and 1:1 newborn recovery care is preferred but not required for travelers.

Requirements

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of NICU nursing experience (highest required)
• First-time travelers not accepted
• Prior travel experience not required

Shifts & Scheduling

• Minimum 4-5 weekend shifts (Saturday/Sunday) per 6-week schedule
• Minimum 2 Fridays per 6-week schedule
• 2 mandatory on-call shifts every 6 weeks
• No block scheduling
• Must be at least 75 miles from facility (no locals accepted)
• Guaranteed minimum 3 shifts per 13 weeks
• RTO restrictions: No more than 7 days

Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) - AHA or AAP certified (STABLE preferred)
• Other preferred certifications depending on unit: ACLS, PALS, TNCC, EFM, CPI/MAB (check unit specifics)

Skills & Competencies

• Experience with mother/baby and NICU II settings
• Care for neonates 29-34 weeks and >34 weeks gestation
• Blood glucose monitoring
• Feeding methods: bottle, breast, gavage
• Isolation precautions
• IV therapy: Central line, implanted line care, UAC, UVC
• Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome care
• Patient/family teaching
• Use of standard NICU equipment: IV pumps, syringe feeding pumps, phototherapy, incubators, radiant warmers, neonatal echo
• Telehealth support for neonatologist consultation
• Ability to stabilize and transfer higher acuity or lower gestational age newborns
• Assist with procedures such as needle aspiration, chest tube placement, line placement, lumbar puncture, intubation, surfactant administration, resuscitation, passive cooling initiation

Floating

• Floating within scope to well newborn nursery/postpartum and other units as needed

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

Background Checks

• Criminal background check within 6 months (7-year search including statewide, nationwide, sex offender, international if applicable)
• EPLS/GSA/SAM quarterly checks
• HHS/OIG quarterly checks
• Education verification of highest nursing degree
• State-specific searches (Missouri Highway Patrol, MO EDL, MO FCSR)
• Fingerprinting required for Illinois long-term care or rehab units (not for home care)

Licenses & Certifications Verification

• Primary source verification of professional nursing license (Missouri licenses via NURSYS)
• IV certification required for LPN/LVN in Missouri
• Annual renewal and upload of certifications as applicable

Health & Immunization

• Physical exam within 1 year
• Fit mask (N95) testing and annual renewal required
• Tdap vaccine or declination (10-year expiration)
• Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella immunity or vaccination (no declinations for NICU/newborn units)
• Drug testing within 1 year, must include specific panels and be valid throughout assignment
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season (Sep-Apr)

Facility Specific Documents

• HIPAA Acknowledgement (annual)
• Latex Allergy Questionnaire (annual)
• Confidentiality Form (annual)
• Regulatory Compliance Education (annual, must score 80% or higher)
• Hepatitis B declination form (annual)
• TB Questionnaire (annual)
• Hand Hygiene Policy acknowledgment
• Fingernail Policy acknowledgment
• Dress Code Policy acknowledgment
• Orientation modules (approx. 16 hours, required for all RNs and LVNs)

Competency Exams

• Unit-specific competency exams annually (including medication/pharmacology, dysrhythmia/EKG if applicable)
• Color blindness testing within 12 months of start

References & History

• Two professional references required (supervisors preferred)
• Employment application required
• Unit-specific skills checklist within 1 year of start

Additional Notes

• Travelers are not required to take couplet care but experience is preferred
• Expect to assist with well newborn assessments and procedures when NICU census is low
• Must be able to float regularly between departments, units, and facilities as needed

This position is ideal for experienced NICU RNs with strong neonatal care skills, who are comfortable with on-call responsibilities, weekend shifts, and floating within related units.