PICU Registered Nurse
Albuquerque, New Mexico
University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital

Registered Nurse (PICU) - Travel/Contract

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Facility Type: Level I Trauma, Children's Hospital, Teaching Hospital, Short term, Acute Care
Beds: 554 staffed beds
Charting System: Cerner
Parking: No fee

Position Details

• Specialty: PICU Registered Nurse
• Shift: Rotating shifts (3x12 or 4x12 hour shifts), shifts do not rotate within a 4-week schedule but flexibility to work either shift during contract is required
• Ratios: 1:2 patient ratio
• Contract Length: 13 weeks
• Start Date: January 12
• Guaranteed Hours: 36 hours/week, with facility allowed to call off 3 times during assignment
• Weekend Requirement:

  • Day shift: 4 weekend shifts per schedule
  • Night shift: 4-5 weekend shifts (Friday, Saturday, Sunday nights count as weekends)
• On-call: Not required
• Floating: Yes, must float within scope to NICU; may assist in Pediatric ED with resource tasks (IVs, meds) but no full ED assignments
• Block Scheduling: Not guaranteed
• Locals: No locals within 75-mile radius accepted
• Pending License: Accepted
• Return to Office (RTO) Restrictions: Absences greater than 7 days require approval

Experience & Certifications

• Required Experience: Minimum 1.5 years
• First-timers: Accepted
• Required Certifications:

  • New Mexico RN License
  • BLS (AHA or ARC, RQI not accepted)
  • PALS (AHA or ARC, RQI not accepted)
• Special Requirements:

  • Experience with CRRT & ECMO procedures
  • Ventilator management
  • Working knowledge of inotropic drips

Patient Population / Diagnoses

• Respiratory distress/failure
• Renal failure
• Trauma
• CRRT & ECMO patients
• Hematology/Oncology
• Multi-system organ failure
• Suicide attempts

Health & Compliance Requirements

• COVID-19 Vaccination: Required; religious and medical exemptions accepted with completed exemption form signed by provider for medical exemptions
• Physical Exam: Required within 1 year prior to start
• Fit Mask: Required within 1 year; only specific N95 masks accepted; PAPR accommodations available if needed
• TB Testing: Negative Qgold, Tspot, or PPD within 1 year; additional requirements for past positive responders
• Immunizations:

  • Rubeola (Measles): 2 vaccines or positive IGG titer
  • Mumps: 2 vaccines or positive IGG titer
  • Rubella: 2 vaccines or positive IGG titer
  • Varicella: 2 vaccines or positive IGG titer (history of disease not accepted)
  • Hepatitis B: Declination, series, or titer required
• Drug Testing: Negative drug screen within 30 days of start (instant drug screens not accepted)
• Flu Vaccine: Required year-round with exemptions accepted via facility-specific form
• COVID-19 Vaccine: No longer required but reporting still necessary; declinations or exemptions accepted

Background & Verification

• 7-year criminal background check within 30 days of start, updated annually
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within one year of start
• Education verification required; diploma or transcript acceptable if 3rd party verification unavailable
• Fingerprinting required onsite during orientation (unless completed within past 12 months)
• Work history verification for 3 years required
• Two professional references within 3 years of hire required

Competency & Testing Requirements

• Medication and pharmacology competency exams (minimum 80% score)
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam (Relias Basic Dysrhythmia Exam) with minimum 80% overall and 100% on lethal arrhythmia section; two attempts allowed
• Pass/fail testing for EKG/medication exams required
• Management of Assaultive Behavior (MAB) certification may be required depending on unit
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification may be required
• Orientation Safety Manual Acknowledgement required
• Cerner training attestation required for RNs starting with 8/4/25 orientation group (test-out option available)
• Relias Basic Dysrhythmia Exam required for multiple units including PICU

Additional Notes

• No RQI certifications accepted for required certifications
• Valid non-local driver’s license required (ID cards not accepted)
• Location is not near public transportation; candidates may need to provide transportation plan for approval if needed
• OT applies after 48 hours on contracts signed on or after 10/30/2025

This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to work in a high-acuity pediatric intensive care environment with a diverse patient population and advanced technology. Candidates must be flexible, experienced in critical care procedures, and meet strict compliance and certification requirements.