PCU Registered Nurse - Cardiac Surgery
Roanoke, VA
GHR Healthcare - PH Division
3x12 hrs

Registered Nurse (Open Heart/Thoracic PCU) - Roanoke, Virginia

Position Overview

• Specialty: Registered Nurse
• Unit: Open Heart/Thoracic Progressive Care Unit (PCU) / Stepdown Unit
• Facility Type: Level I Trauma Center, Magnet-designated teaching hospital with advanced specialty care
• Employment Type: Travel/Contract
• Contract Length: 13 weeks

Schedule & Shift Details

• Shift: 3x12 hour shifts (6:45 PM - 7:15 AM)
• Option for 4x12 hour shifts upon request
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend or 6 weekend shifts in a 6-week block
• Holiday Requirement: Must work one holiday per 13-week contract
• Call-off Policy: Facility may call off 1 shift per 2 weeks
• Return to Office (RTO): All requests must be submitted; Christmas RTO not approved

Experience & Licensure

• Post heart surgery experience required
• EPIC charting experience required
• Accepts first-time travelers depending on experience (prefer experience at 250+ bed hospital)
• Locals accepted (radius rule applies)
• Pending license accepted only if holding a single-state license from a non-compact state; otherwise, active Virginia State or Compact RN/LPN license required

Required Certifications

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)

Required Clinical Skills

• Cardiac monitoring, emergency response, dysrhythmia interpretation and management, activation of Rapid Response/Code teams
• IV therapy, phlebotomy, blood product administration, central/peripheral line care
• Administration and management of cardiac drips (e.g., Cardizem, Heparin, Insulin, low-dose dopamine/dobutamine, Amiodarone, Nitro, Bumex, Lasix – no titration)
• Respiratory support including nasal cannula, oxygen delivery, and non-invasive airway management

Unit Details

• Nurse-to-patient ratio: Typically 1:5, goal is 1:4
• Patient population: Post open heart/thoracic surgery patients in PCU/Stepdown setting
• Support: Trauma resident and mid-level provider in-house
• Remote telemetry monitoring and tele-sitting implemented
• Floating required within skillset

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• I9 or attestation required
• Valid Driver’s License/State ID required within 48 hours of signing (must meet radius criteria)
• E-Verify or attestation required
• Background check: 7-year history within 1 year of start; must include all locations lived/worked in past 7 years
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start and for every contract renewal
• Education verification and transcript/diploma required (proof of highest earned degree)
• State license primary source verification within 30 days of start
• NURSYS verification required for all RNs within 30 days of start
• Physical exam within 1 year of start confirming freedom from communicable diseases
• Fit testing within 1 year of start, updated annually
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year, updated annually
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel within 30 days of start
• Required immunizations or titers: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella
• Flu vaccination or mask/declination form during flu season
• Photo for badge (professional, plain background)
• Completion of new hire paperwork and compliance checklists prior to start
• Orientation manual review (not required for inpatient RNs as of 7/10/23)

References & History

• Two clinical references required (hospital evaluations accepted)
• Complete employment application/resume required
• Annual skills checklist update required

This position is ideal for RNs with cardiac surgery experience seeking a travel contract in a high-acuity PCU/Stepdown unit within a Level I Trauma Center and Magnet-designated hospital. Strong cardiac and respiratory clinical skills, EPIC charting experience, and required certifications are essential.