NICU Registered Nurse
Washington, District of Columbia
Howard University Hospital

NICU Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Position

Location: Washington, District of Columbia
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Night (3x12 hours), 19:30 - 8:00
Hours per Week: 36

Unit & Patient Care Details

• Unit: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:2-3
• Weekend requirement: Every other weekend (EOW)
• Floating: May be required to float to Post Partum unit
• On-call: Not required
• Scheduling: Self-scheduling with manager approval to balance days; weekend coverage every other week required

Facility Highlights

• Level 1 Trauma Center, Teaching Hospital
• Total staffed beds: 228
• Charting system: Cerner
• Scrub color: Royal Blue
• Parking: Candidate responsible for parking costs; options include street meters and hospital parking passes
• Public transportation access available

Required Qualifications & Certifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in the District of Columbia
• Minimum 1 year of recent Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) experience
• 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 Requirements

• Specialty: Registered Nurse (NICU)
• Minimum years of experience: 1 year of recent NICU experience

Compliance & Background Checks

• Government-issued photo ID required on person during hours of service
• Background check within 1 year, covering 7 years of history including:

  • Social Security trace
  • County and nationwide criminal history (7 years)
  • Sex offender registry
  • FACIS Level 3
  • Education verification from primary source
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start and updated for renewals
• Drug screening: 9-panel drug test within last 12 months (instant acceptable); not a facility requirement but required by agency
• Employment application and proof of 2 clinical references required
• Performance evaluation if worked with agency over 1 year

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam completed by a physician, updated annually, attesting ability to meet job demands
• Fit mask testing within 1 year, updated annually (3M 1860, 1870+, Aura 9502 masks accepted)
• Immunizations or titers required for:

  • Measles (Rubeola)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Varicella
  • Hepatitis B (vaccine, titer, or declination form)
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (vaccine or declination form)
• Negative TB test (PPD, Quantiferon Gold, or T-spot) within 1 year; if past positive, chest x-ray within 1 year and annual TB questionnaire
• Flu vaccine required during flu season (9/16 - 4/30), with medical/religious exemptions subject to approval
• COVID-19 vaccination required prior to start; booster preferred but not required; medical/religious exemptions require facility approval and specific forms
• Additional tests as applicable (CBC and Biochem panel for Radiology/Ultrasound Techs, Hepatitis C for Dialysis RNs)

Orientation & Facility Specific Requirements

• Completion of facility-specific forms including:

  • Job description acknowledgement
  • New hire paperwork (time sensitive, must be on file 11 business days prior to start)
  • Security statement
  • Employee health packet and physical form
  • Vaccine declination forms if applicable (Hep B, TDAP, Flu, COVID)
• Core HIPAA training or signed HIPAA form required

Additional Notes

• Candidates must allow ample time for parking on first day
• Public transportation options include nearby Metro rail and bus routes
• Certification and license documents must be actual cards/certifications, not just proof of completion or pending renewals
• Expiring documents must be renewed timely to maintain compliance

This position offers an opportunity to work in a Level 1 Trauma teaching hospital NICU with a supportive scheduling system and a focus on compliance and safety.