Pediatric Stepdown Registered Nurse
Chicago, Illinois
La Rabida Children's Hospital

Job Opportunity: Pediatric Stepdown Registered Nurse (RN)

Location: Chicago, Illinois
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Position Overview

• Specialty: Pediatric Stepdown RN (PICU experience preferred)
• Unit: Inpatient unit with 39 beds, caring for patients aged 2 weeks to 18 years
• Patient Population: 50-60% technology dependent (ventilators, tracheostomies, G tubes)
• Acute care unit for children with chronic illness; no drips or surgical/transitional patients
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:3-4 (1:4 ratio experience required)
• Floating within scope to meet facility needs is required
• Weekend shifts required every other weekend
• Block scheduling accommodations available
• Locals accepted at same rate as travelers

Required Experience & Certifications

• Minimum 2 years of RN experience required
• Prior travel experience NOT accepted (first-timers not accepted)
• Illinois RN license required and active at time of submission (compact licenses not accepted)
• Required certifications:

  • BCLS (Basic Life Support)
  • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• Preferred certifications (not required):

  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
  • NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Procedure)

Clinical Skills & Requirements

• Experience with ventilators, tracheostomies, and G tubes required
• Meditech charting experience required
• Flu vaccine required (medical and religious exemptions accepted)
• COVID vaccination required (exemptions not accepted; booster preferred)

Work Hours & Scheduling

• Guaranteed hours:

  • 36 hours for 3 shifts of 12 hours
  • 48 hours for 4 shifts of 12 hours
  • 40 hours for shifts less than 12 hours (8- or 10-hour shifts)

Licensing & Background Checks

• Illinois RN license must be active and in hand before submission
• Background checks required prior to start, including:

  • 7-year background check with multiple verifications (SSN, county, statewide, nationwide, sex offender, abuse registry)
  • Annual EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks
  • Education verification
  • Illinois-specific searches: Nurses Aide Registry, Sex Offender Register, Child Abuse/Neglect Search (CANT)
• Drug screen required within 30 days prior to start (comprehensive panel)

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start date
• Vaccinations or titers required for:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (within past 10 years)
  • Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Rubella (two vaccinations or positive titer; boosters if low titer)
  • Hepatitis B (vaccination series or positive titer; declination or new series if low/negative)
  • Varicella (positive titer or proof of 2 vaccines)
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year of start (with specific protocols for past positives)
• Seasonal flu vaccination required during flu season (declinations not accepted)

Additional Notes

• Scrub color: Any neat and clean color; pediatric-themed encouraged
• Free parking available in shared public lots
• On-call not required

This position is ideal for experienced pediatric stepdown RNs with strong skills in technology-dependent pediatric care and Meditech charting, who hold an active Illinois RN license and meet all certification and health requirements.