NICU Charge Registered Nurse
Laguna Hills, California
Saddleback Memorial Medical Center - Laguna Hills

NICU Registered Nurse (Charge RN) - Travel/Contract

Location: Laguna Hills, California
Shift: Nights, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 PM - 7:30 AM)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

• Role combines bedside nursing and charge nurse responsibilities with additional pay for charge shifts.
• Float duties required, including Labor & Delivery and possibly between two nearby facilities.
• Weekend shifts scheduled as needed.

Required Experience

• Minimum 3 years of solid NICU experience at Level III or higher (Level III or IV NICU).
• Experience with 1:1 and 1:2 patient care ratios and high-risk deliveries/admissions.
• Prior travel experience not required, but no first-time travelers accepted.
• Charge nurse experience required.

Patient Population

• Neonates and infants (including neonates from 34 weeks gestation).

Required Certifications

• Registered Nurse license valid in California.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA provider accepted.
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) and Advanced NRP.
• ACLS and PALS may be required depending on qualification (refer to credentialing).

Clinical Skills & Competencies

• Attend high-risk deliveries.
• Care for NICU Level IV patients.
• Dysrhythmia interpretation and management.
• Blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration.
• Phototherapy and breastfeeding support.
• Feeding methods: bottle, breast, gavage.
• Placement and management of oral, nasogastric, and nasojejunal tubes.
• Isolation precautions and sepsis workup.
• Administration of blood and blood products.
• Arterial line management and central line blood draws.
• IV insertion and maintenance.
• Management of umbilical artery and vein catheters (UAC, UVC).
• Neonatal dosage calculations.
• Administration of antibiotics, antivirals, anti-seizure medications, and IV vasopressors.
• Assist with lumbar puncture.
• Care for neonatal abstinence syndrome and seizure disorders.
• APGAR scoring and developmental care.
• Patient and family education.
• Phlebotomy and thermoregulation.
• Respiratory support including Bubble CPAP, high flow nasal cannula, high frequency ventilation, inhaled nitric oxide, ventilator management (AC/PC/SIMV/CPAP/BIPAP/PEEP), oscillators, and vapotherm.
• Management of chest tubes and tracheostomy care.
• Endotracheal tube suctioning.
• Respiratory distress syndrome management.

Systems Used

• Medication system: Omnicell
• Documentation system: EPIC (completion of EPIC education modules required prior to start)
• Communication system: SBAR

Required Documentation & Compliance

• Government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License or State ID).
• Background checks including 7-year work/school history, sex offender registry, EPLS/GSA/SAM, and HHS/OIG.
• Drug screening: Negative 9-panel drug screen within 1 year (excluding marijuana panel due to California restrictions; saliva testing may be required).
• Physical exam within 1 year.
• N95 fit testing within 1 year (annual renewal required).
• Immunizations and titers:

  • TDAP within last 10 years (declination allowed).
  • Negative TB test (QGOLD, TSPOT, or 2-step PPD) within 1 year, with chest x-ray if positive.
  • Annual TB questionnaire.
  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella: positive titer or 2 vaccines (declination allowed if pregnant/immunocompromised).
  • Hepatitis B surface antibody titer (declination allowed if low/equivocal).
  • Varicella: positive titer or 2 vaccines (declination allowed).
• Seasonal flu vaccine required November 1 - April 30 (declination allowed with masking).
• COVID vaccination record preferred.
• Professional references: 2 required.
• Employment application and unit-specific skills checklist (updated annually).
• Annual internal evaluation if employed for 1 year or more.
• Competency exams including medication calculation, dysrhythmia/EKG, and color blindness testing (annual updates).
• Pass/fail testing for medication and EKG competency required (not for per diem).

Facility-Specific Requirements

• Completion of HIPAA education module prior to EPIC modules.
• Completion of EPIC education modules prior to start (approx. 8 hours).
• Review of facility policies including drug and alcohol-free policy, hand hygiene, and dress/appearance.
• Clear headshot photo for badge.

Requirements / Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in California.
• Minimum of 3 years of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) experience, including experience within the last year.
• Completion of at least one travel nursing assignment.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Experience in charge nurse roles within the NICU setting.

This position is ideal for experienced NICU RNs with charge experience who are comfortable working night shifts and floating between units. The role demands advanced neonatal care skills and familiarity with high-acuity NICU patients.