Location: Santa Maria, CA

Start Date: 01-05-2026

End Date: 04-06-2026

Contract Type: Travel Contract

Shift Type: Rotating nights, 12-hour shifts, 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM; self-scheduling with every-other-weekend (EOW) requirement; guaranteed 36 hours/week

Hours per Week: 36

Candidate Pay Rate: $76 per hour

About United Health Care Staffing

At United Health Care Staffing (UHC Staffing), we believe healthcare staffing should be more than just finding a job. We are here to connect amazing professionals with opportunities that make their careers exciting, rewarding, and meaningful. With us, you're not just signing up for a contract you are joining a team that's got your back, answers your calls, and maybe even cracks a joke or two to brighten your day. Think of us as the travel buddy who handles the logistics while you focus on what you do best helping people heal.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Provide expert neonatal care in a Level 3 NICU setting, managing complex infants including preemies and cooling therapy candidates
• Operate and manage ventilators and high-frequency oscillators, plus CPAP and high-flow nasal cannula safely and effectively
• Perform thorough patient assessments and neonatal resuscitation as needed (NRP)
• Collaborate with neonatologists, respiratory therapists, pharmacy and the care team to deliver cohesive, family-centered care
• Document patient care accurately in Cerner and communicate changes in condition promptly
• Support unit workflows as charge nurse when needed and float to Nursery/Peds with appropriate experience

Qualifications

• Active RN license (eligible to work in California)
• Minimum 2 years of recent NICU/Neonatal intensive care experience
• Required certifications: BLS and NRP
• PALS and STABLE preferred
• Comfortable with ventilator/oscillator management and high-acuity neonatal care
• Previous travel experience is a plus but not required

Education

• Active RN license (State of California)
• BSN preferred but not required; ADN/Associate degree acceptable

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong neonatal assessment and neonatal resuscitation (NRP) skills
• Experienced with ventilator management, oscillators, CPAP and high-flow nasal cannula
• Familiarity with Cerner electronic medical record/charting
• Ability to work 1:1 to 1:3 NICU ratios and high-acuity situations
• Comfortable with tele-monitoring systems (Phillips) and interdisciplinary communication
• Knowledge of Level 3 NICU practices, cooling therapy, and feeders/growers management

Benefits

• Generous housing stipend and travel reimbursement to make the move easy
• Competitive hourly pay with holiday and charge differentials
• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage to keep you healthy
• Licensure assistance & reimbursement so paperwork is less painful
• Referral bonus program — bring a friend, earn rewards
• Paid time off to recharge between assignments
• A supportive NICU team that values your neonatal expertise
• Orientation and unit-specific training to set you up for success

Travel Perks: Explore Santa Maria, CA

Explore the Central Coast while on assignment: unwind at nearby Pismo Beach, stroll the dunes at Guadalupe-Nipomo, sip wines in the Santa Maria Valley, hike in Los Padres National Forest, enjoy local farmers markets and fresh seafood, or take a day trip up the coast to Santa Barbara for dining and cultural attractions.

Hashtags

#RegisteredNurseNICU #NICUJobs #SantaMariaJobs #TravelNurse #NeonatalNurse #HealthcareJobs #UHCCareers #NightShiftNurse #RNTravel #CernerJobs