Location & Practice Overview

This position is located in the Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital in Houston, Texas. The unit operates within the hospital’s Women and Infants service line as part of Harris Health System.

Facility Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital
Department Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Level III)
Care Setting Inpatient hospital NICU
Service Line Women and Infants

Responsibilities

  • Deliver independent nursing care for neonates according to professional standards, hospital policies, and established clinical algorithms.
  • Assess newborn status throughout the shift and respond to changes that require further evaluation or additional resources.
  • Coordinate unit operations and patient-care flow during the assigned shift.
  • Provide clinical guidance and support to nursing staff within the charge nurse scope of authority.
  • Communicate relevant clinical information clearly to the care team, families, and other professionals.
  • Uphold nursing standards, safety procedures, and professional accountability on the unit.

Day-to-day work centers on direct neonatal nursing practice paired with shift-level coordination of care and staff support.

Qualifications & Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the separate experience, licensure, certification, and leadership documentation standards set for the Nurse Clinician III level.

RN Experience
Minimum three years of registered nursing experience
Clinical Leadership
At least one year of clinical leadership experience and demonstration of at least two recognized criteria (for example, charge nurse, preceptor, mentoring, specialty certification, shared governance, or QI champion)
Licensure
Current Texas Registered Nurse license
Certifications
Current BLS from an AHA or Red Cross-approved program and the designated specialty nursing certification for the role
Education
Graduation from an accredited school of nursing; Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred
Leadership Documentation
Annual performance review, résumé, CV, or professional portfolio showing leadership within a professional nursing practice environment

Compensation & Benefits

Base hourly compensation is $47.37–$57.80. Separate shift differentials apply for nights, weekends, and holidays.

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage that begins on the first day of employment
  • Student loan repayment of up to $10,000, subject to program terms
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer contributions
  • Tuition reimbursement available after six months of employment
  • Short-term and long-term disability, life, and AD&D insurance
  • Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, subsidized parking, and credit-union access

Schedule & Work Environment

Employment Type Full-time
Shift Nights
Coverage Expectations Weekends, holidays, and on-call as required
Work Arrangement Onsite
Worksite Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital, Houston, TX 77026

Patient Population & Clinical Setting

The unit serves newborns whose medical needs exceed routine post-delivery care and who require intensive observation and treatment because of prematurity, illness, or other significant conditions.

Age Group Neonates across a range of gestational ages
Acuity High-risk and critically ill newborns
Setting Inpatient Level III neonatal intensive care

Clinical Focus & Key Services

The professional focus of this role is specialized neonatal intensive-care practice at the Level III designation, emphasizing clinical judgment within established standards and coordinated specialty care.

Neonatal Specialty Practice Core nursing practice directed at the unique physiologic and developmental needs of high-acuity newborns
Level III Care Environment Clinical work inside a Texas-designated Level III neonatal unit capable of supporting complex neonatal needs
Clinical Decision-Making Application of nursing judgment and care algorithms to determine when additional expertise or resources are required
Interdisciplinary Specialty Care Integration of nursing practice with medical and other professional services in a specialized neonatal setting

Role Highlights

This position is classified as Nurse Clinician III (Competent Specialist) and formally pairs advanced bedside neonatal practice with designated charge-nurse authority.

  • Nurse Clinician III classification that expects independent management of conditions commonly encountered in the specialty
  • Combined clinical and charge-nurse structure rather than a pure bedside assignment
  • Formal shift-level responsibility for staff support and care coordination within the confirmed charge-nurse scope

About Harris Health System

Harris Health System is a public healthcare organization established in 1966 that serves residents of Harris County, Texas. It operates Ben Taub Hospital and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital together with outpatient clinics, health centers, specialty locations, and telemedicine services. The system maintains academic partnerships with Baylor College of Medicine, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Organization Type Public safety-net healthcare system
Year Established 1966
Primary Hospitals Ben Taub Hospital and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital
Academic Partners Baylor College of Medicine, UTHealth McGovern Medical School, MD Anderson Cancer Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the three-year RN experience requirement include a minimum number of years specifically in NICU?
The posting requires three years of registered nursing experience and does not state a separate minimum for NICU experience. Specialty experience evaluation should be confirmed with the employer.
What specialty nursing certification is required?
A designated professional nursing certification for the specialty is required. The posting does not name the specific credential; candidates should verify accepted certifications with Harris Health.
Does the charge nurse role include formal supervision of other employees?
Yes. The employer confirms that the position includes employee supervision. The exact number of direct reports is not specified in the available posting.
Are the night, weekend, and holiday differentials quantified?
Differentials are listed as available, but the exact amounts and conditions are not published in the posting. Current rates should be requested during recruitment.
Is bilingual ability required?
Bilingual communication skills are preferred, not required. No specific additional language is mandated.
What materials are needed to document leadership experience?
An annual performance review, résumé, CV, or professional portfolio that demonstrates leadership in a professional nursing practice environment is required.

Registered Nurse III – NICU Charge Nurse Jobs in Houston, TX

A Registered Nurse III serving as Charge Nurse in a Level III NICU differs from a standard bedside neonatal assignment by pairing advanced clinical practice with formal shift-level coordination. At the Nurse Clinician III (Competent Specialist) classification, the expectation is independent management of commonly encountered neonatal conditions together with the judgment to recognize when additional resources are needed. The charge function adds responsibility for guiding staff and supporting consistent application of nursing standards during the shift. Success in this Houston-based role rests on documented clinical leadership and the ability to communicate effectively with both the care team and families in a high-acuity neonatal setting. The combination of specialty clinical competence and unit coordination defines the professional level of the position.

Submit Application

Apply for This Position Submit your application through the official Harris Health Careers portal