Pediatric Cardiac Stepdown RN
Columbus, Ohio
Nationwide Children's Hospital

Job Opportunity: Pediatric Stepdown Registered Nurse

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Provide nursing care in a Pediatric Cardiac Stepdown unit.
• Patient diagnoses include cardiac defects (medical and surgical).
• Care involves managing tracheostomies, ventilators, high flow nasal cannula, post-operative catheterizations, post-cardiac ICU care, inotropes, and heart and lung transplant patients.
• Schedule: Every other weekend off.
• Shift rotation: Day and night shifts rotate every 6 weeks.
• Shift hours: 12-hour shifts, 36 hours per week (Day: 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM; Night: 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM).

Required Qualifications

• Current Ohio RN license in hand.
• Minimum 2 years of Pediatric Cardiac Stepdown nursing experience.
• Two professional references required at time of submission; one must be a manager or supervisor (Charge RN acceptable). Peer references are not accepted.
• Must have a copy of resume or employment application.
• Unit-specific skills checklist required and must be updated annually.

Certifications

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) - AHA certification only.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA certification only.
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) - AHA certification only.
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) - AHA/AAP certification required for NICU RNs.
• TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course) - as applicable.
• ENPC (Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course) - as applicable.

Background and Compliance Requirements

• Criminal background check within 30 days of start, including 7-year county search, education verification (standalone through National Student Clearinghouse), and international background check if applicable.
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start.
• Ohio-specific searches: Nurse Aide Registry, Inmate Registry, Medicaid Exemption, and Abuse Registry within 30 days of start.
• Fingerprinting (OH BCI/FBI) required within 60 days of start and must be updated for each new contract. Fingerprints must be completed within 24-48 hours of signing contract.
• Sex Offender Search required within 30 days of start.
• Education verification required, including highest degree verification through National Student Clearinghouse or in-house verification if school is unverifiable. Special approval needed for nursing diplomas without ASN/BSN.

Health and Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start (facility accepts signed Infection Control Policy in lieu of physical exam copy).
• N95 Fit Testing required within 1 year of start and updated annually. Candidate can test onsite if unable to complete prior to start.
• TDAP vaccine required within 10 years of start (must be completed after age 11). Titer not accepted in place of vaccine record.
• TB testing options: Two PPDs (first within 12 months, second within 90 days) or QGOLD/TSPOT within 12 months. For positive results, additional documentation and treatment required. TB not required annually unless break in assignment or specialty/unit change.
• Negative 9-panel drug screen within 60 days prior to start, including amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, opiates, marijuana, methadone, phencyclidine, fentanyl. Drug screen must be initiated within 72 hours of signed contract if within 60-day window.
• Flu vaccine required annually between October 31 and May 31. Medical or religious exemptions accepted with facility approval; declination not accepted.
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) immunity required via positive titer or two vaccines; boosters required if titers are negative or equivocal. Religious exemptions not accepted.
• Hepatitis B immunity required via completed vaccine series, positive titer, or declination.
• Varicella immunity required via positive titer or two vaccines; boosters required if titer negative or equivocal.

Additional Notes

• Candidate’s legal name must match RN license and all compliance documents. Proof of name change required if applicable.
• Current government-issued photo ID required within 24-48 hours of signing contract; temporary IDs or paper licenses are not acceptable.
• Address on ID must match address on licensure and travel records. Ohio driver’s license holders with an address within 60 miles of the facility will be considered local and may not qualify for travel status.
• Prior travel experience is not explicitly required for this position.

This summary includes all relevant information for healthcare recruiters and healthcare workers considering this Pediatric Stepdown RN travel contract position in Ohio.