Adult Cardiac Stepdown RN
Peoria, IL
GHR Healthcare - PH Division
3x12 hrs

Job Opportunity: Adult Cardiac Intermediate Unit RN

Location: Peoria, Illinois
Unit: Acute Cardiac Intermediate Unit (Stepdown)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit Overview

• 20 beds, all private and monitored
• Patient population includes stepdown patients from ICU, TAVRs, Ablations, Watchmen Procedure, Micra, Mitral Clips, heart failure, trached and ventilated patients, COVID overflow
• Specialty equipment: Swan Ganz catheters, external pacemakers, IABPs
• Lines commonly used: PICC, Midlines, CVC, Swan Ganz, arterial lines (radial and femoral)
• Ventilated patients are trached; use of ventilators, CPAP, BiPAP, heated high flow oxygen

Nurse-to-Patient Ratios

• Typical ratio: 1:3 (may go to 1:4 depending on acuity and patient population)
• Patient Care Tech ratios: 1:12 to 1:15 or more depending on staffing

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum 2 years CVICU or Cardiac ICU experience strongly preferred (must be able to start without additional training)
• Must be proficient with cardiovascular ICU equipment and patient care (except immediate post-op, VAD, transplant which are a bonus)
• Strong assessment, critical thinking, communication, organization, teamwork, and time management skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-stress environment with a positive attitude
• Must be able to interpret cardiac monitor strips and titrate drips
• Must be able to float to ICU and other levels of care as needed

Certifications

• BLS (required)
• ACLS (preferred)
• CCRN or PCCN (a plus)

Clinical Responsibilities

• Titrate multiple drips including dopamine, dobutamine, levophed, epinephrine, norepinephrine, vasopressin, cleviprex, propofol, fentanyl, versed, insulin, heparin, esmolol
• Interpret cardiac monitor strips (Philips monitoring system)
• Work with ventilators and respiratory equipment troubleshooting
• Follow protocols and physician orders precisely

Shift & Scheduling

• 12-hour shifts: 7am-7pm or 7pm-7am
• Rotating weekends (every 2nd or 3rd weekend) and holidays (every other holiday)
• No call or standby required
• No self-scheduling for travelers; priority scheduling given to permanent staff
• Orientation: 1 day unit-specific + 2 days preceptor

Additional Notes

• Drug-free campus; negative drug screen required
• Scrubs must be clean and professional (no specific color provided)
• Charge nurses and house supervisors available 24/7; charge nurses may take assignments
• Monitor techs available but RNs must read and interpret strips
• Travelers expected to take full patient care teams and float as needed

Summary

This position is ideal for experienced CVICU or Cardiac ICU RNs who are confident managing complex cardiac stepdown patients with advanced monitoring and multiple drips in a fast-paced environment. Strong critical care skills and the ability to float to ICU are essential.