Neuro ICU Registered Nurse
Albuquerque, New Mexico
University of New Mexico Hospital

Registered Nurse - Neuro ICU (Travel/Contract)

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Position Details

• Specialty: Neuro ICU
• Required Years of Experience: 1.5 years
• First-time Travelers: Accepted
• Shift Length: 36 or 48 hours
• Patient Ratios: 1:2 (standard), occasional 6:1 on med-surg patients when floated
• Weekend Requirement: Varies based on unit needs
• On-call: Not required
• Floating: Yes, within scope to other ICUs, PCU floors, ED, PACU
• Local Candidates: Not accepted within 75 miles
• Pending License: Accepted
• COVID Vaccination: Required (religious and medical exemptions accepted with completed exemption form)
• Guaranteed Hours: Facility may call off up to 3 times during the 13-week assignment
• Overtime: OT after 48 hours on contracts signed on or after 10/30/2025

Patient Diagnoses

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH)
• Subdural Hematoma (SDH)
• Tumor Resections
• Status Epilepticus
• Other neurologic disorders

Special Skills & Requirements

• EVD (External Ventricular Drain) insertions and management
• Neuro Post-op care
• A-line insertions
• Intubation
• Central line insertion
• Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)
• Post-TPA care
• Post Thrombectomy care
• Interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
• ICP (Intracranial Pressure) monitoring

Certifications Required

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) - AHA or ARC (RQI not accepted)
• BLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA or ARC (RQI not accepted)
• NIH Stroke Certification
• Additional certifications may be required depending on unit (e.g., PALS, NRP, TNCC, EFM, CPI, MOAB for Behavioral Health units)

Licensure & Background

• Valid New Mexico professional license required (original with 3D seal for radiology-related roles)
• Pending licenses accepted
• 7-year criminal background check within 30 days of start, updated annually
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within one year of start
• Fingerprinting required onsite during orientation (unless completed within past 12 months)
• Education verification required (diploma or transcript acceptable if 3rd party verification unavailable)

Health & Compliance Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year prior to start
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year
• Annual TB questionnaire
• Immunizations required:

  • Rubeola (Measles) - 2 vaccines or positive titer
  • Mumps - 2 vaccines or positive titer
  • Rubella - 2 vaccines or positive titer
  • Varicella - 2 vaccines or positive titer (history of disease not accepted)
  • Hepatitis B - series, titer, or declination accepted
• Negative drug screen within 30 days of start (instant drug screens not accepted)
• Flu vaccine required year-round with exemptions accepted (facility-specific form required)
• Fit mask testing required within 1 year of start (specific mask models accepted)

Additional Information

• No locals within 75 miles allowed
• Facility is a Level I Trauma, Teaching, Children’s Hospital with 554 staffed beds
• Charting system: Cerner
• Parking: No fee
• Travel experience: No explicit prior travel experience required
• Floating to other units may include med-surg patients with different ratios
• Block scheduling may be accommodated but is not guaranteed
• RTO (Return to Office) restrictions: Absences greater than 7 days require approval

Competency & Testing Requirements

• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam required (minimum 80% score)
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam (Relias Basic Dysrhythmia Exam) required for Neuro ICU and other units:

  • Must score 80% overall and 100% on Lethal Arrhythmia section
  • Two attempts allowed before cancellation
• Pass/fail testing for EKG/Medication required
• Arrhythmia exam review and attestation required for ICU and related units

Documents & Orientation

• Work Experience Checklist not required due to crisis credentialing
• Traveler Compliance Form must be completed
• Background registration and emergency contact forms required prior to start
• Cerner training attestation required for RNs starting with 8/4/25 orientation group (test-out option available)
• Orientation includes fingerprinting and safety manual acknowledgement

This position offers a challenging Neuro ICU travel opportunity with a reputable Level I Trauma and teaching hospital in Albuquerque, NM, requiring specialized neurocritical care skills and certifications.