The CN identifies and implements nursing interventions and evaluates results for a wide variety of patient populations, directs and acts as resource to other members of the nursing team as assigned and promotes compliance and support for policies. The primary responsibilities for this position consist of providing total, comprehensive, continuous and patient centered care which includes: assessing, documenting, planning, implementing, teaching, developing, and evaluating a comprehensive nursing plan of care; delivering direct patient care; ensuring patient satisfaction; training and delegating duties; and adhering to University policies and procedures as well as federal, state and local regulations.
Autonomous nursing care is the ability of a nurse to assess and provide nursing actions as appropriate for patient care populations based on competence, professional expertise, and knowledge. The nurse is expected to practice autonomously consistent with ANA Standards of Practice and Professional Performance. Independent judgment is expected to be exercised within the context of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to patient care.
Provides direct patient care to a diversified patient population. Applies knowledge, experience and judgment to determine the importance of a situation, set priorities, and use abstract thought to evaluate clinical situations. Participates in patient and staff education. Demonstrates leadership skills. Demonstrates accountability for own practices as defined by the Nurse Practice Act.
Apply By Date: August 26th, 2026 by 11:59pm
Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position
- At least three (3) years of recent RN experience in NICU or Pediatric Inpatient or Pediatric Outpatient or PICU
- Valid California Registered Nurse License without restriction
- American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS), or UC Davis Health CPR
- Graduation from an accredited school of nursing.
- Ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
- Ability to utilize medical terminology appropriately.
- Knowledge of current trends in nursing.
- Commitment to excellence in patient care.
- Effective interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrates accountability and professionalism.
- Adapts to change in a positive, professional and productive manner.
- Knowledge of legal implications in clinical practice and documentation.
- Knowledge of performance improvement and evidence-based practice.
- Basic computer skills.
- Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care, taking into consideration protective interventions, development (behavioral and physical) and physiological characteristics specific to the patients.
- Knowledge of Pediatric Surgeries and relevant nursing considerations.
- Mastery of Relational Competencies.
Preferred Qualifications
- BSN
- Pediatric Surgery Knowledge and Experience
- Pediatric Wound Care and / or Ostomy
Key Responsibilities
- 70% - Nursing Process and Practice
- 15% - Quality and Evidence-Based Practice
- 5% - Leadership
- 5% - Professional Development
- 5% - Research
The UC Davis Health Pediatric Surgery & Specialty Clinic is a regional referral center providing comprehensive surgical and specialty care to infants, children, adolescents, and patients with congenital conditions requiring lifelong surgical follow-up. As part of UC Davis Children's Hospital and the Department of Surgery, the clinic provides care for patients with routine, complex, rare, and congenital surgical conditions and serves families throughout Northern California and the broader region. One of the distinguishing features of the Pediatric Surgery & Specialty Clinic is the integration of highly specialized programs within the pediatric surgical practice. These programs allow children with complex conditions to receive coordinated care from multiple specialties rather than navigating separate appointments across the health system.
1. Pediatric Colorectal Program- specialized care for children with complex congenital and acquired colorectal and pelvic conditions including:
Anorectal malformations
Hirschsprung disease
Cloacal anomalies
Complex colorectal disorders
Bowel management
Pelvic and anorectal reconstruction
Continence-related conditions
Long-term transition and follow-up into adulthood
2. Pediatric Aerodigestive Center - a multidisciplinary program for children with complex breathing, swallowing, airway, and gastrointestinal disorders.
3. Pediatric Vascular Anomalies- provides multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment for children with complex vascular and lymphatic conditions, including:
Hemangiomas
Capillary malformations
Venous malformations
Arteriovenous malformations
Lymphatic malformations
Complex vascular tumors
Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome
Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon
Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma
PHACE syndrome
4. Pediatric Surgical Oncology - works closely with the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and pediatric oncology teams to provide surgical management for children with solid tumors and other oncologic conditions.
5. Pediatric Trauma & Injury Follow-Up- UC Davis serves a large population of children with traumatic injuries and provides surgical evaluation and follow-up for pediatric trauma patients.
6. Pediatric GI Motility & Complex Gastrointestinal Care - supporting children with complex gastrointestinal conditions requiring coordinated surgical and medical management, including patients with congenital intestinal disorders, feeding difficulties, bowel dysfunction, and other complex GI conditions.
7. Pelvic Reconstruction & Complex Congenital Conditions- provides ongoing care for children with complex congenital conditions involving the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, reproductive, and pelvic systems including:
Complex anorectal reconstruction
Cloacal anomalies
Pelvic reconstructive surgery
Long-term bowel management
Multidisciplinary surgical planning
Transition to adult specialty care
Department Specific Job Scope
The Per Diem RN provides comprehensive, patient- and family-centered nursing care to infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with a broad range of surgical, congenital, colorectal, gastrointestinal, thoracic, oncologic, traumatic, and other complex medical conditions.
Working as an integral member of a multidisciplinary pediatric surgical team, the RN coordinates care across the outpatient, procedural, operative and specialty environments. The RN serves as a clinical resource for patients, families, providers, and clinic staff and helps ensure safe, timely, coordinated, and equitable access to care.
The RN supports both routine pediatric surgical patients and children with complex, rare, or chronic conditions who may require multiple specialists, procedures, surgeries, and long-term follow-up.
The RN supports patients within multiple pediatric surgical programs, including:
Pediatric General Surgery
Pediatric Colorectal Program
Pediatric Aerodigestive Program
Pediatric Surgical Oncology
Pediatric Thoracic Surgery
Pediatric Trauma and surgical follow-up
Neonatal and congenital surgery
Complex gastrointestinal and bowel management patients
Pelvic reconstruction and complex congenital conditions
Vascular anomalies and other multidisciplinary specialty programs
Other developing pediatric surgical programs and specialty clinics
Key Responsibilities -
Clinical Assessment and Triage
Perform comprehensive nursing assessments of pediatric patients presenting with surgical and specialty conditions.
Assess changes in patient condition and determine appropriate level and urgency of care.
Provide telephone and electronic triage for patients and families, utilizing clinical judgment, established protocols, and provider guidance.
Identify urgent or emergent symptoms and facilitate timely escalation to the appropriate provider, emergency department, or other level of care.
Review symptoms, diagnostic information, medications, treatment plans, and relevant medical history.
Communicate significant clinical findings to physicians, nurse practitioners, and other members of the healthcare team.
Care Coordination
Coordinate complex care across pediatric surgery, primary care, subspecialty services, diagnostic imaging, procedural areas, operating rooms, inpatient units, and outside healthcare organizations.
Facilitate communication between patients, families, providers, referring physicians, and multidisciplinary team members.
Assist with coordinating multidisciplinary appointments and specialty evaluations.
Track outstanding diagnostic studies, referrals, laboratory results, imaging, and follow-up needs.
Identify barriers to care and proactively assist patients and families in navigating the healthcare system.
Support transitions between inpatient, outpatient, procedural, and surgical care.
Facilitate continuity of care for patients who require long-term or repeated surgical management.
Surgical Coordination and Preoperative Care
Prepare patients and families for planned surgical procedures and interventions.
Provide preoperative education regarding procedures, medications, preparation, expected recovery, and postoperative care.
Review and reinforce provider instructions and identify concerns requiring additional evaluation.
Coordinate preoperative testing and required clearances in collaboration with surgical teams.
Assist with surgical scheduling workflows and communication between the clinic, operating room, anesthesia, and other departments.
Provide postoperative telephone and clinic follow-up as directed by the surgical team.
Assess wounds, incisions, drains, tubes, ostomies, and other postoperative needs within the RN's scope of practice and established protocols.
Reinforce discharge instructions and identify complications requiring provider intervention.
Patient and Family Education
Provide developmentally appropriate education to pediatric patients and families regarding diagnoses, procedures, treatments, medications, wound care, nutrition, bowel management, and postoperative recovery.
Adapt education to the family's health literacy, language, developmental needs, and individual circumstances.
Assess patient and family understanding and reinforce education as needed.
Serve as a consistent source of nursing support throughout the patient's surgical journey.
Empower families to recognize concerning symptoms and understand when and how to seek additional care.
Specialty and Complex Care
The RN will provide specialized nursing support for children with complex conditions, including:
Anorectal malformations and Hirschsprung disease
Cloacal and complex pelvic anomalies
Bowel dysfunction and bowel management needs
Congenital gastrointestinal disorders
Complex airway, swallowing, and feeding disorders
Thoracic conditions
Pediatric solid tumors
Complex congenital surgical conditions
Vascular and lymphatic anomalies
Patients requiring long-term surgical follow-up
The RN collaborates closely with specialty providers and multidisciplinary teams to coordinate individualized care plans for patients whose needs extend across multiple clinical disciplines. The RN actively participates in multidisciplinary clinics, conferences, case reviews, and care planning activities as appropriate.
Patient Access and Referral Management
Review and assist with processing new patient referrals.
Obtain and review relevant clinical records and outside medical information.
Assist in determining appropriate clinical urgency and routing referrals to the appropriate provider or specialty program.
Communicate with referring providers regarding clinical information and care coordination needs.
Identify incomplete referrals or missing diagnostic information and facilitate acquisition of needed records.
Assist families in navigating scheduling, referrals, authorizations, and other access-related processes.
Promote timely access to specialty surgical care.
The RN contributes to the daily operations of a high-volume, highly specialized ambulatory clinic by:
Supporting efficient patient flow.
Assisting with clinic preparation and coordination.
Communicating changes in schedules and patient needs to the care team.
Helping prioritize competing clinical demands.
Supporting providers during procedures and specialty visits as needed.
Working collaboratively with medical assistants, patient support representatives, schedulers, and leadership.
Flexing between specialty programs based on patient volume, acuity, staffing, and departmental priorities.
Supporting coverage for multiple providers and specialty clinics as needed.
Leadership and Professional Development -
The RN is expected to demonstrate leadership within the ambulatory care environment and serve as a clinical resource for the department.
POSITION INFORMATION
- Salary or Pay Range: $99.53 - $114.48
- Salary Frequency: Hourly
- Salary Grade: 107
- UC Job Title: NURSE PD
- UC Job Code: 009119
- Number of Positions: 1
- Appointment Type: Staff: Per Diem
- Percentage of Time: 20%
- Shift (Work Schedule): M-F - day shift up to 40hrs/wk
- Location: Cypress Building (HSP013)
- Union Representation: NX-Nurses
- Benefits Eligible: No
- This position is 100% on-site
Benefits
Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility by visiting UCnet Benefits Page or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees.
- High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
- UC pays for dental and vision coverage for you and your family
- Retirement plans for eligible employees including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans
- Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity
- Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave, Adoption Assistance and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees
- Lactation Support Program and Family Care discounts and resources
- Employee Well-being resources and programming to support thriving in all aspects of employee’s lives
- On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
- Generous amount of paid Holidays annually as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
- Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
- Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees
- Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees
Physical Demands
- Standing - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Walking - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Sitting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Bending/Stooping - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Twisting - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
Environmental Demands
- Loud noise levels - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
Mental Demands
- Sustained attention and concentration - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Complex problem solving/reasoning - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Ability to organize & prioritize - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Communication skills - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Numerical skills - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Constant Interaction - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Customer/Patient Contact - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
Work Environment
UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.
Works overtime as defined by the collective bargaining agreements; floats to other areas; and works weekends, holidays and call as required. References reflect an overall meets or exceeds.
Special Requirements – Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position
- This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment
- This position is designated as a mandated reporter under CANRA and UC policy, and employment is contingent on compliance with applicable policies, procedures and training requirements
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging
At UC Davis, we’re committed to solving life’s most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.
As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.
To view the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere
To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks
