NICU Registered Nurse
Seattle, Washington
University of Washington Medical Center

Job Opportunity: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse (NICU)

Location: Seattle, Washington
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Position Details

• Unit: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Level III, 54-bed unit serving as a regional referral center for high-risk infants
• Shift: Day shift preferred, 4 shifts of 12 hours (7:00 AM – 7:30 PM); 3 shifts of 12 hours may be considered
• Patient Ratio: 1:1 nurse-to-patient ratio
• Weekend Requirement: 2 weekend shifts per month, scheduled as needed; flexibility required to pick up additional shifts occasionally
• Floating: May float within hospital to Mother Baby unit to care for babies only; no floating to sister hospitals
• Guaranteed Hours: May be called off or placed on-call in 4-hour increments up to 1 shift per 2-week cycle during low census

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Washington
• Minimum 3 years of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) experience, including experience within the last year
• 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)

Compliance and Documentation Requirements

• Background Checks:

  • 7-year criminal background check including nationwide, sex offender, and state-specific searches
  • EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks
  • Education verification or diploma/transcript for RN licensure
• Health Requirements:

  • Physical exam within 1 year prior to start
  • Fit mask test within 9-12 months prior to start (3M N95 preferred; PAPR available onsite if needed)
  • Immunizations and titers:

    • Tdap within 10 years (declination allowed with documentation)
    • Negative TB test or chest X-ray per facility protocol
    • Measles, Mumps, Rubella: Positive titer or 2 vaccines required (declination allowed with documentation)
    • Hepatitis B: Documentation of vaccine series and positive titer or declination with waiver
    • Varicella: Positive titer or 2 vaccines required; history of disease not accepted
    • Seasonal Flu vaccination or approved exemption/declination with education module completion
    • COVID vaccination or declination required for tracking
• Drug Testing: 10-panel drug screen within 1 year (required by agency, not facility)
• Competency Exams: Medication/pharmacology, dysrhythmia/EKG, and other unit-specific competencies as required
• Facility-Specific:

  • EPIC/Alaris integration video and attestation required
  • Photo for badge (DMV style, no selfies) due before start
  • Various signed agreements and checklists prior to start
  • Suicide prevention training required for multi-state licensed nurses working in Washington (if applicable)

Additional Notes

• The NICU unit primarily cares for very low birth weight premature infants requiring ventilatory support
• The facility is a Magnet and Teaching Center with a total of 637 staffed beds
• Scrubs are provided for OR personnel; any color scrubs allowed for this unit
• Charting system: EPIC
• Parking cost approximately $10.26 daily
• Return to office (RTO) restrictions: maximum 1 week

This position is ideal for experienced NICU RNs with a strong background in Level III neonatal care, comfortable with a 1:1 patient ratio, and flexible scheduling including weekends and floating within the hospital.