Pediatric Stepdown RN
Chicago, Illinois
La Rabida Children's Hospital

Pediatric Stepdown Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: Chicago, Illinois
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Overview

• Work on a unique inpatient pediatric stepdown unit with 39 beds, caring for patients aged 2 weeks to 18 years.
• Patient population includes multiple specialties; 50-60% have technology dependence (e.g., ventilators, tracheostomies, G tubes).
• Acute care unit for children with chronic illnesses; no drips or surgical patients.
• Shift options: 3x12-hour or 4x12-hour shifts (night shift example: 7 PM to 7 AM).
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:3 to 1:4.
• Weekend work required every other weekend.
• Floating within scope of practice to meet facility needs.
• Locals accepted at the same rate as travelers.

Required Qualifications

• License: Active Illinois RN license in hand at time of submission (compact licenses not accepted).
• Experience: Minimum 2 years pediatric nursing experience; PICU experience preferred.
• Certifications:

  • BCLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA required
  • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) - AHA required
• Skills:

  • Experience with ventilators, tracheostomies, and G tubes required.
  • Experience working with 1:4 nurse-to-patient ratios required.
  • Meditech electronic charting experience required.
• Vaccinations:

  • Flu vaccine required (medical and religious exemptions accepted).
  • COVID vaccination required; exemptions not accepted, booster preferred.

Schedule & Hours

• Guaranteed hours:

  • 36 hours for 3x12-hour shifts
  • 48 hours for 4x12-hour shifts
  • 40 hours for shifts less than 12 hours (8- or 10-hour shifts)
• Weekend requirement: scheduled every other weekend.

Additional Requirements & Notes

• On-call: Not required.
• Return to Office (RTO) restrictions: Any RTO must be approved and included in the contract before the start date; no additions after contract start.
• Scrub color: Any neat and clean color; pediatric-themed encouraged.
• Parking: Free parking available in shared public lots.

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Government-issued photo ID required.
• Emergency contact form required prior to start.
• Background checks including 7-year history, SS verification, education verification, sex offender registry, IL abuse registry, and others as mandated.
• Drug screen within 30 days prior to start, covering a comprehensive panel of substances.
• Physical exam within 1 year of start date.
• Immunizations and titers required for:

  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella (two vaccinations or positive titer; boosters and declinations if low titer)
  • Hepatitis B vaccination series or positive titer (new series or declination if low/negative)
  • Varicella (positive titer or proof of two vaccines)
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap within past 10 years
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year of start (with specific protocols for past positives).
• Flu vaccination required regardless of season; exemptions accepted only for medical/religious reasons.
• COVID vaccination required; no exemptions accepted. Booster preferred.
• Facility-specific orientation and HIPAA forms must be reviewed and signed.
• Illinois Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking (CANT) authorization form must be signed within 48 hours of offer; travelers may start with results pending.
• Annual competency exams and skills checklists required.

References

• 2 professional references required for travel, allied, or per diem acute care roles.
• 1 professional reference required for per diem non-acute care roles.

This position is ideal for experienced pediatric RNs with technology-dependent patient care skills seeking a travel contract in a specialized pediatric stepdown setting.