Risevoic
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) NICU
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Carmichael, CA, 95608
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Date Posted : 3 January 2026
Overview
Dignity Health Mercy San Juan Medical Center is a 370-bed not-for-profit Level 2 Trauma Center located in Carmichael, California, serving the areas of north Sacramento County and south Placer County for more than 50 years. It is one of the area’s largest and most comprehensive medical centers. Dedicated to the community’s well-being, our staff and volunteers provide excellence in care for our patients each year. Mercy San Juan Medical Center has received recognition for being a Comprehensive Stroke Center and Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery, along with Certificates of Excellence in Perinatal Care, Hip- and Knee- Replacement.
Responsibilities
Our Level 3 NICU features sixteen (16) new private rooms and eight (8) 3-bed pods. Bed spaces include a sleep chair where a parent can stay 24/7. We use state-of-the-art Giraffe Omni beds, Babylog VN500 vents and HFOVs to care for infants with birth weights as low as 450 grams. The unit has the capability of providing whole body cooling for infants suffering from HIE, and we offer Nitric Oxide for care of PPHN in extremely sick newborns. We invite you to check out our beautiful unit and our team!
Position Summary:
The incumbent Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is the clinical leader for a program or area of clinical practice within Dignity Health, Mercy San Juan Medical Center. The advanced knowledge and skills required for this role include clinical expertise in the neonatal focus area, evidence-based practice, collaboration, consultation, education, mentoring, and change leadership. These are essential to advance the practice of nursing and the professional development of nurses. The CNS and the department manager are partners in leading clinical practice. The CNS coordinates and guides clinical activities/projects of nurses.
The CNS is expected to role model the following role-based competencies: critical thinking, nursing judgment, communication and teamwork. The incumbent is also accountable for providing high quality care in a cost effective manner, which is consistent with the Mission and Philosophy of the Sisters of Mercy.
We offer the following benefits to support you and your family:
- Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Voluntary Protection: Group Accident, Critical Illness, and Identity Theft
- Adoption Assistance
- Free Premium Membership to Care.com with preloaded credits for children and/or dependent adults
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Tuition Assistance for career growth and development
- Retirement Programs
- Wellness Programs
#LI-DH
#DHNICURN
#DHNICULeader
@NANN
#NursePractitioners
#NICUspecialists
#NeonatalClinicalNurseSpecialist
Qualifications
Minimum:
- Master's degree in Nursing required
- Current California Registered Nurse (RN) license required
- Current California Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) certification, with a specialty in Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU), required
- Five (5) years of clinical experience as an RN in NICU (Level III) required
- Requires:
- Demonstrated entry level skills of an advanced practice nurse in leadership, communication, collaboration, mentoring, and change leadership
- Demonstrated entry level ability as an advanced practice nurse to utilize evidence to develop, teach, guide, and implement practice standards, safety initiatives and policies
- Current nursing techniques, principles and practices neonatal intensive care nursing, regulatory/accreditation agency standards, CCS, current evidence based best practices
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Staff development and needs assessment techniques
- Interpersonal relationship skills
- Current trends and issues in nursing
- Stress control techniques
- Problem solving skills
- Organizational and prioritization skills
- CQI and QA methodologies
- Computer skills
- Current Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) required
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) required
Preferred Qualifications:
- Current RNC certification preferred
- Two (2) years of experience as a NICU CNS preferred
Related Jobs
Bellflower, CA
Top trending job titles hiring now
Popular Searches for Clinical Nurse Specialist
Frequently asked questions
A CNS NICU blends expert neonatal clinical knowledge with leadership to elevate nursing standards, mentoring staff and integrating evidence-based practices. Their role pivots on improving patient outcomes by guiding care protocols and fostering continuous professional development within neonatal intensive care settings.
Unlike typical NICU nurses, a CNS holds advanced certifications and masters-level education enabling them to lead clinical projects, implement safety initiatives, and drive change. They must excel in critical thinking, mentoring, and applying up-to-date research to complex neonatal cases.
Essential credentials include a California RN license, CNS certification specialized in neonatal intensive care, and current Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and Basic Life Support (BLS) certifications from the American Heart Association, ensuring compliance with state and clinical standards.
Carmichael’s healthcare sector shows moderate competition for CNS NICU roles due to regional demand for specialized neonatal care. Candidates with advanced certifications and leadership experience tend to stand out in this market, especially within well-established medical centers like Mercy San Juan.
Employers around Sacramento highly value California-specific licenses combined with nationally recognized certifications like CNS and NRP. Additionally, experience in Level III NICU units is often favored, reflecting local standards for high-acuity neonatal care.
CNS NICU specialists in Carmichael typically earn between $105,000 and $135,000 annually, influenced by experience and certifications. This range aligns with California’s demand for advanced neonatal nursing roles and reflects competitive compensation in the healthcare sector.
At Catholic Health Initiatives, CNS NICU professionals play a pivotal role in clinical leadership and collaboration, mentoring nursing staff and spearheading evidence-based practice improvements that align with the organization’s mission to deliver compassionate, high-quality neonatal care.
This CNS NICU position uniquely combines leadership in clinical practice with partnership alongside department managers, focusing on quality improvement and family-centered care in a Level III NICU. The emphasis on state-of-the-art technology and community service also sets it apart.
Daily hurdles include managing complex neonatal cases requiring advanced ventilatory support, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, mentoring nursing staff, and implementing evolving care protocols—all while maintaining compassion for families in high-stress environments.
Gaining extensive bedside experience in Level III NICUs, pursuing a master’s degree in nursing, and obtaining CNS and NRP certifications are critical. Networking within local healthcare systems like Mercy San Juan Medical Center can also enhance career opportunities.