Research Registered Nurse I/II, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

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Research Registered Nurse (RN) I/II - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Make a Difference in Neonatal Research

Join Cincinnati Children's and play a vital role in advancing groundbreaking research that improves outcomes for our most vulnerable patients. As a Research RN, you will partner with leading investigators to conduct clinical research studies involving infants and families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This unique opportunity combines direct patient interaction, research coordination, and collaboration across multiple healthcare organizations.

What You'll Do

• Screen, enroll, and support study participants and their families in NICU research studies.
• Coordinate and conduct research activities in accordance with study protocols and regulatory requirements.
• Collect, document, and manage study data to ensure research integrity and quality.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary clinical and research teams to advance neonatal care.
• Travel to affiliated NICUs at the University of Cincinnati and Good Samaritan Hospital to conduct research activities as needed (travel is not required between sites on the same day).

Qualifications

• Current RN licensure required.
• NICU nursing experience strongly preferred, with a minimum of three years of experience ideal.
• Experienced Research Nurses without NICU experience are encouraged to apply.
• Strong communication, organizational, and patient engagement skills.

Schedule

• Full-time, Monday through Friday
• 80 hours bi-weekly
• Participation in a 24/7 on-call rotation is required, including:
  • Approximately one weeknight every two weeks
  • One weekend every two months
  • Holiday coverage as assigned

Compensation

Research RN I: $67,537.60 - $87,112.00 annually

Research RN II: $74,297.60 - $94,744.00 annually

Starting salary ranges are based on a 40-hour work week and will be determined by experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

Why Cincinnati Children's?

At Cincinnati Children's, you'll contribute to innovative research that shapes the future of neonatal care while working alongside nationally recognized experts in a collaborative and mission-driven environment. Your work will directly support discoveries that improve the health and well-being of infants and families locally and around the world.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Patient/Participant Care- Recognizes and accesses systems and processes within the clinical research environment that affect the research participant experience. Acts as a resource to team members in using these systems and processes. Anticipates needs and responds to subtle changes of research participant and families moving through the research study and healthcare system. Tailors caring practices to individuality of research participant & family providing a healing environment to meet their needs. Promotes safety; demonstrates awareness of potential adverse events' & increases awareness of other team members throughout research study.

• Assessment- Assess participants, clients and families, whose needs range from uncomplicated to highly complex and quickly recognize normal parameters, deviations and abnormalities in physical, emotional, developmental and behavioral status based on past nursing experience. Develop a plan of care and effectively prioritize both expected and unanticipated needs for the participants involvement in the research study and make determination of clinical relevance of study procedures and tests. Involve participant, clients, families, and clinical research and health team members in establishing protocol specific research study implementation and adherence goals. Demonstrate proficiency in the implementation of the technical skills. Demonstrate initiative in remaining current on CCHMC policies, standard operating procedures and good clinical and research practices. Demonstrate critical thinking skills by making appropriate nursing decisions, prioritizing both planned and unplanned events for protocol implementation, and proactively addressing potential and actual problems. Implement age-appropriate care, including sensitivity to assent and consent in research participation.

• Compliance- Sustain a working understanding of regulatory requirements and accreditation standards that govern clinical research. Act as a resource to peers. Be mindful and judicious in monitoring safety and departmental policies and procedures. Seeks ways to minimize risk. Organize, oversee and participate with clinical staff in soliciting, enrolling and following participants through clinical studies in accordance with regulatory requirements in a timely and efficient manner. Advocate for research participant to ensure they get the best for their involvement in the study. Educate participants/families on purpose of the research study, study procedures, potential benefits/risks, and rights of research participants during the screening and enrollment process. Ensure informed consent process is carried out correctly and all patient/participant questions and concerns are addressed prior to signing consent form.

• Research- Guide others in performing procedures, collecting data, analyzing data and making decisions regarding clinical research care, including initial screening, assessment, diagnosis, care, reassessment and modification of care. Intervene for the attainment of research care goals. Ensure proper follow-up of study subjects to ensure compliance, collection of study specimens, and schedule of study visits. Evaluate effectiveness of research care giving and shows on going follow through in care delivery. Collaborate effectively with investigators to ensure proper progress and completion of clinical studies. Demonstrate proficiency and compliance with established practices in documentation. Maintain records and files required by regulatory agencies and industrial sponsors for clinical studies. Demonstrate awareness of the value and relevance of research and evidence-based practice in nursing. Practice can be identified as research based.

• Process Improvement- Provides a leadership role in developing, implementing and evaluating the conduct of clinical research. Assist peers and team members in acquiring department specific knowledge, skills and behaviors. Contribute to and coordinate discussion in clinical research care conferences, committee meetings, in-services, staff conferences, council activities, seminars and literature. Participate in improving organizational performance through recommending areas or approaches for improvement activities, performing new procedures, collecting data and providing input to department discussions. Motivates and challenges others by displaying energy and enthusiasm in proactively creating a positive work environment.

Is self-directed in assuming responsibilities within the team and care delivery system. Assume responsibility for own learning. Initiate activities toward meeting those needs and integrate new knowledge into practice. Participate in establishing job requirements and goals; perform duties at the desired level of competency. Is recognized as a role model and department resource for clinical research and nursing practice, and operational systems. Acts as a preceptor. Guides, nurtures, and contributes to the growth of others by sharing knowledge and skills. Actively participates as a front-line example of extraordinary customer service. Contribute to and coordinate discussion in clinical research care conferences, committee meetings, in-services, staff conferences, council activities, seminars and literature.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in a related field

• 3+ years of work experience in a related job discipline

• Requires clinical license

• Current Ohio RN license

About Us

At Cincinnati Children’s, we come to work with one goal: to make children’s health better. We believe in a holistic team approach, both in caring for patients and their families, and in advancing science and discovery. We strive to do better and find energy and inspiration in our shared purpose. If you want to be the best you can be, you can do it at Cincinnati Children’s. 

 Cincinnati Children's is: 

• Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 10  best Children's Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years 

• Consistently among the top 3 Children's Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding 

• Recognized as one of America’s Best Large Employers  (2025), America’s Best Employers for New Grads (2025) 

• One of the nation's America’s Most Innovative Companies as noted by Fortune 

• Consistently certified as great place to work 

• A Leading Disability Employer as noted by the National Organization on Disability 

• Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) 

 We Embrace Innovation—Together.  We believe in empowering our teams with the tools that help us work smarter and care better. That’s why we support the responsible use of artificial intelligence. By encouraging innovation, we’re creating space for new ideas, better outcomes, and a stronger future—for all of us.

Comprehensive job description provided upon request.

Cincinnati Children’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. EEO/Veteran/Disability