NICU Registered Nurse
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

NICU Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Position

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each; 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
Hours per Week: 36

Job Overview

Provide specialized nursing care to neonates in a Level III NICU, including patients from 22 weeks gestation and above. Care focuses on respiratory distress, glucose management, surgical and cardiac interventions, and complex neonatal conditions.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver comprehensive care to neonates, including those under 24-28 weeks gestation.
• Manage respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and infectious disease conditions.
• Administer medications using Pyxis system, including IV vasopressors, surfactants, and steroids.
• Perform arterial and central line management, and interventions for neonatal abstinence syndrome.
• Oversee ventilator settings and adjustments (AC/PC/SIMV/CPAP/BIPAP/PEEP).
• Document care using EPIC electronic health record system.
• Use SBAR communication method for effective interaction with healthcare providers and families.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members including nurse practitioners, pharmacy, respiratory therapy, radiology, social services, and others.

Required Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio.
• Minimum of 1 year of recent experience in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
• Associate of Science in Nursing or Associate Degree in Nursing.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification.
• Proficient in gastrointestinal feeding methods.
• Expertise in intravenous (IV) therapy.
• Expertise in umbilical artery and vein catheter management.

Required Licenses

• License verification must be completed within 30 days of start.
• NURSYS verification required for RN license.

Background and Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, including FBI and BCI fingerprinting (Ohio-specific code 3701.881).
• Monthly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG monitoring.
• Education accreditation verification from an accredited nursing program (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA).
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug test within 3 months of start (no pending tests allowed).
• Physical exam within 1 year of start confirming good health and freedom from contagious disease.
• Required immunizations and/or titers:

  • Tdap (adult dose after age 11/12)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year
  • MMR (2 vaccines or positive titers for measles, mumps, rubella)
  • Varicella (2 vaccines or positive titer)
  • Hepatitis B (titer or 3-vaccine series or signed declination)
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season (10/1 - 3/31)
• Annual completion of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training.
• Annual review and acknowledgment of dress code, hand hygiene, ethics, and compliance policies.
• Orientation safety manual acknowledgment required annually.

Competency Exams and Training

• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam required prior to start.
• Unit-specific competency exams required.
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 1 year of start and updated annually (minimum passing score 76%).
• ACLS certification may be required depending on unit assignment (check unit-specific requirements).
• PALS certification required for certain emergency units (not specified for NICU).
• Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) certification may be required depending on unit.

Additional Requirements

• Two professional references required; at least one must be from a manager or formal leader.
• Employment application required, including education verification.
• Skills checklist required.
• Pending background check attestation required if fingerprint results are pending at start.

Notes

• Prior experience at a major pediatric hospital will be given special consideration.
• Parking permits are available for agency staff but details and costs are subject to change.

This position offers an opportunity to work in a high-acuity neonatal intensive care environment with a multidisciplinary team, providing critical care to vulnerable neonates.