Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse
Baltimore, MD
GHR Healthcare - PH Division
3x12 hrs

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - PCU (Travel/Contract)

Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Contract Length: 14 weeks

Unit Description

• PCU is a 48-bed cardiac telemetry unit.
• Patients primarily come from the ED, cath lab, and other inpatient units.
• Nurse-to-patient ratio typically 4:1, can go to 5:1 depending on unit needs.
• Team nursing approach with PCAs (CNAs) and LPNs.
• Fast-paced unit with quick patient turnover.
• Care includes patients on drips such as amiodarone, cardizem, dopamine, dobutamine, nitro, lasix, and insulin.
• Post cardiac cath procedure experience is required.
• Responsibilities include timely patient discharge, hourly rounding, and bedside shift report.
• Floating to other units as needed.
• Every other weekend coverage required. Scheduling based on unit needs.

Required Experience & Certifications

• Minimum 1 year experience in PCU/Telemetry.
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification required.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification required.
• NIH Stroke Certification required (valid for 1 year).
• Post cardiac cath procedure experience required.

Prior Travel Experience

• No explicit requirement for prior travel experience mentioned.

Licensure & Verification

• Valid state nursing license required with primary source verification.
• NURSYS verification required for all RNs.
• Education verification required; nursing education program must be approved by Maryland Board of Nursing if completed out of state.

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Background check within 6 months covering all locations lived/worked in past 7 years; updated annually.
• Drug screening: Negative 9-panel drug screen within 30 days of start.
• Physical exam within 1 year confirming ability to meet essential job functions.
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year.
• Immunizations:

  • 2 MMR vaccines or positive titer (measles, mumps, rubella).
  • Hepatitis B titer, series, or signed declination.
  • Varicella: 2 vaccines or positive titer, or proof of chickenpox history.
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption required during flu season.
• Respirator fit testing will be completed onsite (not required for non-clinical).

Competency & Testing

• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam required as applicable.
• Unit-specific competency exam required.
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required annually (Relias or Prophecy platform only).
• Pass/fail testing for EKG/medication exams required; must pass within 3 attempts (2 attempts for some facilities).
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification may be required depending on unit.

Additional Requirements

• Completion and signing of facility-specific policies including floating and time & attendance policies.
• References: 2 professional references within 2 years of start required for travel assignments.
• Employment application and work history verification required (verification of 2 workplaces within last 7 years).
• Stroke and Trauma CEUs may be required depending on unit specifics; stroke CEUs must be stroke-related and updated annually; trauma CEUs required after 27 weeks of work and renewed annually.

Scheduling & Work Conditions

• Fast-paced cardiac telemetry unit with quick patient turnover.
• Floating to other units as needed.
• Every other weekend coverage.
• Nurse-to-patient ratio 4:1 to 5:1.

This position is ideal for a Registered Nurse with PCU/Telemetry experience who is comfortable managing cardiac patients on drips and post cardiac cath care in a fast-paced environment.