PICU Registered Nurse
Paramus, New Jersey
The Valley Hospital

Job Opportunity: PICU Registered Nurse

Location: Paramus, New Jersey
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Floating required to NICU (training provided). Also float to Labor & Delivery (L&D) and Postpartum (PP) as helping hands only.
• Every third weekend shift required.
• Unit includes 4 PICU beds and 8 convertible beds (can be monitored or pediatrics).
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: PICU 1:2, Pediatrics 1:3-4.
• Self-scheduling with manager final approval; block scheduling allowed but must work assigned weekends.
• No PCAs on unit; total care responsibility.
• Care for COVID patients on this unit.
• Equipment experience: CPAP, Vapo, high flow oxygen.

Requirements

• NJ State or Compact Nursing License in hand.
• Minimum 2 years of PICU experience (highest required years of experience).
• BLS and PALS certifications required (AHA only).
• Must be able to pass a basic arrhythmia exam (80% pass rate required, updated annually).
• Floating to NICU requires training; NRP certification required for NICU, L&D, Mother Baby.
• EFM (Electronic Fetal Monitoring) certification required for L&D float (AWHONN Advanced or NCC C-EFM within 2 years).
• Pass/fail testing onsite including telemetry competency and medication exam (one attempt allowed).
• Core Competency Exams (Parts I, II, III) required annually with 80% passing score.
• Physical exam within 72 hours of contract signing, stating good health and no physical limitations.
• Fit mask test required within 72 hours of contract signing (N95 or equivalent).
• Negative 9-panel drug test within 30 days of start.
• Immunizations and titers required within 72 hours of contract signing:

  • COVID vaccine series with booster (no declinations accepted).
  • Flu vaccine mandatory (no religious or medical declinations accepted).
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) proof of immunity or vaccination.
  • Varicella proof of immunity or vaccination.
  • Hepatitis B surface antibody titer or declination.
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap preferred but not required.
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray per facility protocol.

Additional Information

• Prior travel experience is not explicitly required.
• COVID card and NURSYS verification required at submission.
• Must complete facility-specific self-learning modules and pass post-tests with 100%.
• Two professional references required: one supervisory within 12 months, one professional within 3 years.
• Employment verification for the last 7 years required; no gaps over 30 days without explanation.
• Background checks including 7-year history, sex offender, OIG, SAM.gov, OFAC sanctions, and others required.
• License verifications must be current within 30 days of start; no temporary or emergency licenses accepted without approval.

Certifications Required

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) recommended/required for some units
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Procedure) for NICU, L&D, Mother Baby
• EFM (Electronic Fetal Monitoring) for L&D float
• Pass/fail testing for telemetry and medication competency
• Core Competency Exams (Parts I, II, III) annually

Competencies

• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam (80% pass rate, annual update)
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam (80% pass rate, annual update)
• Color blindness test (Ishihara test within 1 year)

Shift Details

• Floating between PICU, NICU, L&D, and Postpartum units.
• Every third weekend required.
• Self-scheduling with manager approval; block scheduling possible.

This position is ideal for experienced PICU nurses with strong pediatric critical care skills, flexibility to float to related units, and the ability to meet rigorous certification and competency requirements.