Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

The Pediatric Acute Pain RN provides specialized evidence-based care for pediatric patients experiencing acute pain due to surgery, trauma, or complex medical conditions. Working closely with the multidisciplinary team, this role focuses on minimizing pain, advocating for patient comfort, and ensuring the safe administration and monitoring of both pharmacological and holistic non-pharmacological pain interventions.

This job opening is for a Unit-Based Temporary RN position for Pediatric Pain Service

* Please note that these positions do not qualify for UMHS benefits and specific terms and conditions of employment are negotiated at the department level.
These positions are not covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Michigan and the Michigan Nurses Association and the U of M Professional Nurse Council.

* In addition:
Unit- based temporary employees who have worked 400 hours in a calendar year then become a
Per Diem employee and have an obligation to pay dues or service fees as covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Michigan and the Michigan Nurses Association and the U of M Professional Nurse Council.

* Once the employee meets the 400 hour threshold, they then are a union member for the duration of employment as Per Diem.
Temporary APRN employees and MVC temporary employees are not eligible for Per Diem status.

Clinical Care & Pain Management

• Participates in the management of pediatric patients (neonates to adults) with acute and complex pain problems.
• Completes daily patient care rounds independently or alongside Multidisciplinary Pain Service Team members (anesthesiologists, physicians, pharmacists).
• Utilizes the Nursing Process to assess, plan, and evaluate patient comfort levels, employing validated, age-specific pain assessment scales (e.g., NIPS, FLACC, Wong-Baker FACES, NRS).
• Provides expert care across the continuum, including pre-operative pain assessment, goal setting, intervention implementation, and discharge planning.
• Manages and monitors advanced pain treatment modalities, including Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA), Nurse-Controlled Analgesia (NCA), continuous epidurals, and peripheral nerve catheters.
• Champions both pharmacological and holistic non-pharmacologic therapies (e.g., Healing Touch, guided imagery, massage, distraction, child life collaboration, and positioning) to complement medical interventions and maximize patient comfort.
• Consults directly with physicians regarding required changes in pain management modalities, including weaning schedules to transition patients to oral medications.
• Recognizes potential risk and safety issues, maintaining a strict focus on medication safety, safe opioid stewardship, and monitoring for adverse effects, and takes appropriate actions.
• Documents patient assessments, care plans, and evaluations accurately and promptly   .

Communication & Patient/Family Education

• Works collaboratively with all health team members to provide quality, patient- and family-centered care.
• Provides support and education to patients and families across the continuum of care, using verbal and nonverbal communication techniques appropriate for their specific age, cognitive level, and physical condition.

Leadership, Education & Quality Improvement

• Serves as a clinical role model and expert resource for bedside nursing staff by sharing skills, troubleshooting equipment, and providing knowledge related to pain management and pediatric nursing.
• Participates in the development and updating of policies, procedures, educational materials, and staff orientation programs.
• Actively participates in in-services, skills labs, and mandatory education.
• Shares current, evidence-based practice literature with colleagues to elevate the standard of care.
• Participates in the collection of patient data to support quality improvement initiatives and clinical research related to pediatric pain.

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program 
• Licensure: Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Michigan.
• Certifications:
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) via the American Heart Association.
• Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of recent RN experience in an acute pediatric setting (e.g., PICU, PACU, Pediatric Med-Surg, or Emergency Department).
• Core Skills: Strong critical thinking skills, excellent communication with anxious families, and deep knowledge of pediatric pharmacokinetics and opioid safety.

In order to be considered for this position the applicant must have met or will have met all the required qualifications prior to the start date of employment.

RESUME REQUIRED (for both internal & external applicants): 
You must attach a complete and accurate resume to be fully considered for this position.

 

• Advanced Certifications: 
  • Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) or Pain Management Nursing Certification (PMGT-BC).
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
• Specialized Experience: Prior experience working directly on an Acute Pain Service or extensive experience managing complex pain modalities (epidurals, continuous nerve blocks, PCAs).
• Holistic Modalities: Certification or formal training in Healing Touch or other integrative therapies.
• Education: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or actively enrolled in an MSN program.
• Leadership: Experience leading unit-level education or quality improvement projects.

Required qualifications must be met by the candidate in order to be interviewed and considered for the position. 
 

 These positions are not covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the Michigan Nurses Association and the U-M Professional Nurse Council union.

If you have questions regarding this posting or would like assistance with nursing opportunities please contact Nurse Recruitment at (734) 936-5183.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Hours: Varies by needs of the unit
Shift: Day/ Evening/ Night , varies by the needs of the unit and includes weekend coverage
Location: Pediatric Pain Service

This temporary position may meet eligibility requirements for health care benefits.

PER DIEM/UNIT-BASED TEMPORARY NURSE GUIDELINES

1. Each Per Diem or unit-based temporary employee working three or more shifts per scheduling period will be scheduled to work a minimum of two weekend shifts per scheduling period (8 hours = 1 shift). The contractual definition of a weekend applies for Per Diem or unit-based temporary employees.* 
Per Diem or unit-based temporary nurses who preschedule two or fewer shifts per scheduling period do not have to meet the weekend requirements. 
They may add additional UNANTICIPATED SHIFTS ONLY.

2. Each Per Diem or unit-based temporary nurse will be expected to work a portion of scheduled shifts on off shifts (recommended guide: 25%).

3. Managers may establish additional guidelines based upon individual unit scheduling requirements. Therefore, it is recommended that managers and per diem nurses or unit-based temporary meet to discuss specific unit 
expectations.

4. Each Per Diem or unit-based temporary nurse will be scheduled to work the number of shifts during holiday weeks that reflects his/her normal scheduling pattern. Per Diem or unit-based temporary nurses should be scheduled to work shifts during three out of the six holiday weeks and one of these weeks should be Christmas or New Year's week. (A week is defined as Sunday through Saturday during which the holiday falls).

Per Diem or unit-based temporary nurses are to be scheduled after all regular staff are scheduled per contract language.

*Guidelines apply to all Per Diem or unit-based temporary nurses regardless of hire date.

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.