Travel Medical-Surgical RN
Denver, CO
GHR Healthcare - PH Division
3x12 hrs

Travel RN - Medical Surgical (Med Surg)

Location: Denver, Colorado
Employment Type: Travel Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit Information

• Unit: 9A Medical Surgical (18 beds)
• Staffing: 32 staff members (Day and Night shifts include Charge RN, RNs, and 1 PCT)
• Patient Ratios: Approximately 5:1 RN to patient ratio (estimated)
• Equipment: Philips Monitors, Alaris Pumps, Dopplers, Welch-Allyn VS machines, Mobilab, Glucometers
• EMR System: Meditech

Required Skills

• Proficient in Meditech EMR
• Skilled in tracheostomy and ostomy care

Preferred Skills

• Experience with general surgery patients

Typical Procedures on Unit

• Minimally invasive surgeries
• Colectomy, ostomy creation and takedown
• Artificial airway creation and management
• Podiatry and plastics surgeries
• Common diagnoses: CHF, COPD, cellulitis, sepsis, DKA, pneumonia

Personality & Work Environment

• Team-oriented, invested in good patient outcomes
• Upbeat and kind demeanor
• Comfortable in a busy environment with shifting priorities
• Enjoys precepting and coaching new nurses
• Must be willing to work weekend shifts

Patient Population

• Medical and surgical patients ranging from very ill to short stays
• Abdominal and GYN surgeries (hysterectomies, vaginal/laparoscopic)
• Patients with COPD, diabetes, non-healing wounds
• Neurosurgical and ENT patients (craniotomies, CSF leak repairs)
• Teaching patients with interns and residents involved

RN Responsibilities

• Daily bed and linen changes
• Strict hand hygiene before/after patient contact and glove changes
• Care for patients with restraints (only if P/SL Restraint Competency completed)
• Foley catheter care and documentation daily
• Central line care including hand hygiene, use of SwabCaps™, daily CHG wipe downs, and dressing changes (weekly or as needed)
• Cannot discontinue central lines (notify charge nurse if ordered)

PCT Responsibilities (collaborative with RN)

• Vital signs collection (0600/1800 by RN; others as ordered)
• Purposeful rounding using 4 P’s: Potty, Position, Placement, Pain
• Bathing, catheter care, oral hygiene, sheet changes
• Intake and output documentation in real time
• Assist with feeding and patient safety attendants as needed
• Blood glucose checks before meals and at bedtime
• Stocking PPE and supplies, trash removal
• Alert charge nurse of any patient condition changes or abnormal vitals immediately

Assessments & Documentation

• RN responsible for most vital signs except some collected by PCT
• Intake and output documented every 12 hours in Meditech
• Reassess and document patient condition and interventions in Meditech
• Participate in interdisciplinary bedside rounding (SIBR)
• Document pain reassessments after pain medication administration
• Document PCA intake every 4 hours; two RN verification for dose changes
• Continuous pulse oximetry required for PCA patients unless ordered otherwise
• Telemetry patients require ECG strip printout and rhythm identification each shift

Communication & Shift Expectations

• Keep charge nurse informed of physician calls and patient condition changes
• Coordinate with teaching teams and surgeons for patient management
• Provide updates to charge nurse before shift changes and discharge planning
• Attend shift huddles at 7 AM/PM
• Complete end-of-shift tasks: clear pumps, record intake/output, stock supplies, empty trash, verify orders

Certifications & Licenses

• Registered Nurse License (RN) required
• BLS certification required

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of experience in Medical Surgical nursing specialty

Additional Notes

• High standards of behavior expected, aligned with organizational values: Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence
• Use of communication tools such as AIDET, No Pass Zone, Bedside Report, and Purposeful Hourly Rounding to ensure quality patient care
• Must review and sign unit policies and guidelines before starting shifts

This position offers a supportive environment with a designated resource nurse each shift to help ensure success and a positive experience.