Clinical Nurse (RN) – Per Diem Level III | NICU | Night Shift

Howard University Hospital•Washington, DC

25d•$70 - $70•Onsite

About The Position

Clinical Nurse, RN – Per Diem Level III | Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) | Nights Howard University Hospital | Washington, DC Role Summary The Clinical Nurse – Per Diem (RN) is a Registered Nurse reporting to the Clinical Nursing Administrator and embedded in the Howard University Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit — part of a comprehensive Women and Infant Services program serving the Washington, DC metro area. Through collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, you will deliver safe, effective, patient- and family-centered care to critically ill and medically complex neonates across the full spectrum of acuity. You will exemplify HUH’s CARES values, adhere to ANA standards of practice, and fulfill our nursing mission and vision. What You’ll Do Perform comprehensive neonatal assessments and develop individualized, evidence-based plans of care for critically ill and medically complex neonates across the full spectrum of acuity, including preterm, surgical, and medically complex patients Manage and titrate complex respiratory support modalities including conventional mechanical ventilation, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV), CPAP, and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC); recognize and respond to changes in respiratory status Initiate and maintain vascular access including umbilical venous catheters (UVC), umbilical arterial catheters (UAC), and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC); perform continuous hemodynamic monitoring and interpret arterial waveforms Administer high-risk neonatal medications including vasopressors, inotropes, sedatives, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), and surfactant safely per protocol; recognize and respond to adverse effects Monitor for and manage thermoregulation using isolettes and radiant warmers; implement and maintain developmentally supportive care practices including NIDCAP principles, positioning, and environmental modification Recognize and escalate neonatal emergencies including respiratory failure, cardiovascular decompensation, sepsis, seizures, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH); participate in emergency drills and resuscitation events Initiate and manage phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia; monitor bilirubin trends and recognize indications for escalation Support family-centered and family-integrated care by engaging parents and caregivers as active partners; facilitate skin-to-skin (kangaroo) care, support breastfeeding and human milk feeding, and provide education on NICU equipment, procedures, and infant cues Provide compassionate, culturally responsive support to families navigating the NICU experience, including those facing complex diagnoses, surgical interventions, and end-of-life circumstances Document patient care, assessments, and outcomes accurately in the electronic health record; communicate irregularities and continuing care needs across nursing teams Delegate tasks appropriately to non-licensed personnel and assistants Adhere to infection control protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations Participate in unit performance improvement programs, and engage in education, engagement, and practice committees Maintain and grow clinical knowledge through educational workshops, professional publications, and professional societies Perform other duties as assigned consistent with the scope of this role

Requirements

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred
Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
Minimum three (3) years of bedside RN experience in a NICU setting (Level III or IV preferred)
Current, active RN license in the District of Columbia
Current BLS certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) required
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification through the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) required

Nice To Haves

Nationally recognized nursing certification in neonatal nursing (e.g., RNC-NIC) highly desirable

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive neonatal assessments and develop individualized, evidence-based plans of care for critically ill and medically complex neonates across the full spectrum of acuity, including preterm, surgical, and medically complex patients
Manage and titrate complex respiratory support modalities including conventional mechanical ventilation, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV), CPAP, and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC); recognize and respond to changes in respiratory status
Initiate and maintain vascular access including umbilical venous catheters (UVC), umbilical arterial catheters (UAC), and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC); perform continuous hemodynamic monitoring and interpret arterial waveforms
Administer high-risk neonatal medications including vasopressors, inotropes, sedatives, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), and surfactant safely per protocol; recognize and respond to adverse effects
Monitor for and manage thermoregulation using isolettes and radiant warmers; implement and maintain developmentally supportive care practices including NIDCAP principles, positioning, and environmental modification
Recognize and escalate neonatal emergencies including respiratory failure, cardiovascular decompensation, sepsis, seizures, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH); participate in emergency drills and resuscitation events
Initiate and manage phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia; monitor bilirubin trends and recognize indications for escalation
Support family-centered and family-integrated care by engaging parents and caregivers as active partners; facilitate skin-to-skin (kangaroo) care, support breastfeeding and human milk feeding, and provide education on NICU equipment, procedures, and infant cues
Provide compassionate, culturally responsive support to families navigating the NICU experience, including those facing complex diagnoses, surgical interventions, and end-of-life circumstances
Document patient care, assessments, and outcomes accurately in the electronic health record; communicate irregularities and continuing care needs across nursing teams
Delegate tasks appropriately to non-licensed personnel and assistants
Adhere to infection control protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations
Participate in unit performance improvement programs, and engage in education, engagement, and practice committees
Maintain and grow clinical knowledge through educational workshops, professional publications, and professional societies
Perform other duties as assigned consistent with the scope of this role