Advanced Care Unit (Stepdown) Registered Nurse
Parkersburg, WV
GHR Healthcare - PH Division
3x12 hrs

Job Opportunity: ACU Nurse (Advanced Care Unit - Stepdown)

Location: Parkersburg, West Virginia
Unit: Advanced Care Unit (Stepdown), Cost Center 23
Unit Size: 30 beds (all private rooms)
Patient Ratios: 1 nurse to 4 patients
Patient Population:

• Stroke, Trauma, & Vascular patients
• Common diagnoses: Femoral pulses, Carotids, Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), Above Knee Amputations (AKA), post-cardiac catheterization with TR Bands & femoral access
• Typically 4-5 fresh carotid patients on the unit at a time
• Sheath removal is not performed on this unit

Required Certifications

• BLS (AHA)
• ACLS (AHA)
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)

Experience Requirements

• Must have stepdown acuity experience with the types of patients on this unit
• Ability to read cardiac strips is required
• Years of experience: Not explicitly stated, but implied to require experienced stepdown nurses

Clinical Responsibilities

• RNs are required to titrate drips including Cardizem (per physician orders), Insulin, and Heparin
• Monitor techs are present, but RNs must read, verify, and sign off on cardiac strips

Staffing and Support

• Charge Nurse available 24/7; night charge nurse always takes a patient assignment
• 3 Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) per shift with a ratio of 1:10
• Respiratory Therapy equipment includes CPAP, BiPAP, and High Flow oxygen (goal to have stable ventilators in the future)

Scheduling and Shifts

• Shifts: 0700-1930 (day), 1900-0730 (night)
• Self-scheduling and block scheduling allowed if unit needs are met (block scheduling not guaranteed)
• Weekend requirement: Every other weekend (EOW)

  • Night weekends: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
  • Day weekends: Saturday, Sunday
• Holiday shifts may be required depending on unit needs; travelers may be expected to work weekends if necessary
• Call or standby is very rare

Floating and Orientation

• Travelers are the first to float
• Floating assignments: down to MedSurg/Telemetry or up to ICU for ACU status patients only
• No floating to CVICU; may float to Cardiovascular Stepdown
• Orientation:

  • Day 1: HR, clinical educator, and shadow on unit
  • Day 2: Shadow
  • Day 3: Independent work
• Orientation includes 12-hour night shifts and weekend scheduling as assigned

Dress Code

• Royal Blue scrubs required
• Scrub jackets optional but must be actual scrub jackets (no hoodies or sweatshirts)

Contract Length

• 13 weeks (approximately 3 months)

Additional Notes

• Must submit an unexpired copy of driver’s license with application