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

Job Opportunity: Pediatric Stepdown Registered Nurse (RN)

Location: Chicago, Illinois
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Position Overview

• Specialty: Pediatric Stepdown RN (PICU experience preferred)
• Unit: Inpatient unit with 39 beds, caring for patients aged 2 weeks to 18 years
• Patient Population: 50-60% technology dependent (ventilators, tracheostomies, G tubes)
• Acute care unit for children with chronic illnesses; no drips or surgical patients
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:3-4 (1:4 ratio experience required)
• Floating within scope to meet facility needs may be required
• Weekend shifts required every other weekend
• Block scheduling accommodations available

Required Experience & Certifications

• Minimum 2 years of RN experience required
• Prior travel experience: Not accepted for first-timers (first-timers not accepted)
• Illinois RN license required and must be active at time of submission (compact licenses not accepted)
• Certifications required:

  • BCLS (Basic Life Support)
  • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• Preferred but not required: ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• Experience with vents, trach, and G tube care required
• Meditech charting experience required

Work Schedule & Hours

• Guaranteed hours:

  • 36 hours for 3 shifts (12-hour shifts)
  • 48 hours for 4 shifts (12-hour shifts)
  • 40 hours for shifts less than 12 hours (8- or 10-hour shifts)

Licensure & Compliance

• Must have valid Illinois RN license in hand before submission
• Pending license accepted if Illinois RN license is in process
• RTO (Request Time Off) must be approved and included in contract prior to start date; no additions after contract start

Health & Safety Requirements

• Flu vaccine required (medical and religious exemptions accepted)
• COVID vaccination required; exemptions not accepted; booster preferred
• Drug screen required within 30 days prior to start (comprehensive panel)
• Physical exam within 1 year of start date
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (within past 10 years)
  • Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Rubella (two vaccinations or positive titer; boosters if low titer)
  • Hepatitis B vaccination series or positive titer
  • Varicella (positive titer or proof of 2 vaccines)
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year of start (with specific protocols for past positives)

Background & Screening Requirements

• 7-year background check including:

  • SS Trace, SSN Verification
  • County and statewide searches for last 7 years
  • IL and nationwide sex offender searches
  • Education verification
  • IL Abuse Registry Search
• State-specific searches:

  • Illinois Child Abuse/Neglect Search (CANT Screening) - authorization form required; results can be pending at start
  • Illinois Nurses Aide Registry Search
  • Illinois Sex Offender Register Search
• Social Security verification and other federal checks (EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG) must be current

Additional Notes

• Scrub color: Any neat and clean color; pediatric-themed encouraged
• Parking: Free parking available in shared public lots
• References:

  • 2 professional references required for travel, allied, per diem acute care
  • 1 professional reference for per diem non-acute care
• Annual competency exams and skills checklists required

This position is ideal for experienced pediatric stepdown RNs with technology-dependent patient care skills and a valid Illinois RN license ready to start ASAP.