Medical-Surgical Telemetry Nurse - ED Holding
Wilmington, NC
Wayward Medical
3x12 hrs, Days
Relocation Bonus

Registered Nurse - MS/Tele (Travel/Contract)

Location: Wilmington, North Carolina
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Overview

• Position in the ED Holding unit within the Emergency Department float pool.
• Patients are adults with medical/surgical diagnoses, including PCU level patients.
• Responsibilities include caring for MS/Telemetry patients and floating to ED and MedSurg areas as needed.
• Target nurse-to-patient ratios: 1:6 for MS/Tele patients, 1:4 for PCU level patients.
• Shift: Day shift, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (6:45 AM - 7:15 PM).
• Weekend requirement: Every other weekend.
• RTO (Return to Office) after booking is not allowed and cannot be worked out onsite; excessive call-offs may lead to cancellation.
• Contract staff may be assigned to Storm/Hurricane Teams and required to work during catastrophic events or disasters.

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in North Carolina
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• Minimum 2 years of Medical-Surgical and Telemetry nursing experience, with experience within the last year
• BLS certification issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• ACLS certification
• Interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
• Use of Rapid Response Teams
• PICC line management
• Chest tubes (Emerson/Pleur-evac)
• High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC)
• Tracheostomy management

Preferred Qualifications

• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification.
• Experience with IV insulin protocols, pre/post hemodialysis management, accessing ports, central line blood draws, and IV starts.
• Experience with CVA, pre/post neurosurgery, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic trauma, total joint replacements.
• Wound care and wound vac experience.

Orientation & Training

• Unit orientation: 12 hours.
• Must complete medication/pharmacology competency exams as applicable.
• Must complete Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam within 72 hours of start (minimum 82% score required, up to 3 attempts allowed with remediation).
• Navy scrubs required.

Patient Population & Unit Details

• Adult medical/surgical patients awaiting inpatient beds in the ED Holding unit.
• Mixed acuity with potential PCU level patients.
• Unit uses standard cardiac monitors, IV pumps, and other monitoring systems.
• Documentation and communication systems: Pyxis, Epic, SBAR.

Health & Compliance Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start; if past positive TB, physical within 30 days and annual updates required.
• Fit mask testing (N95 or PAPR training) within 1 year; onsite fit testing available if needed.
• Negative TB test (PPD, Qgold, or Tspot) within 1 year; if positive, chest x-ray within 5 years and physician-signed TB questionnaire within 30 days required annually.
• Required immunizations or titers with boosters if negative/equivocal for:

  • Rubeola (Measles)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Varicella
  • Hepatitis B (or facility-specific declination if titer negative/equivocal)
• Drug screening within 30 days of start (10-panel, negative result required).
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season; mask required if exemption granted.

Background & Credentialing

• Background checks required within 90 days of start, including local county, federal court, national criminal database, DOJ sex offender search, and education verification for highest degree earned.
• North Carolina Division of Medical Assistance and NC Healthcare Personnel Registry searches required within 90 days prior to start.
• Employment application and professional references required (2 professional references within 3 years for travel RNs).
• Confidentiality agreement, hospital policies acknowledgment, and other facility-specific documents must be completed prior to start.
• Candidates must complete required education modules and compliance training as assigned.

Additional Notes

• High turnover unit; all candidates will be interviewed.
• Candidates must be prepared to float between ED Holding, ED, and MedSurg units.
• Contract staff may be reassigned mid-contract as needed.
• Must comply with all facility-specific policies and training requirements.

This position offers a challenging and dynamic environment for experienced Registered Nurses comfortable with telemetry and medical-surgical care in an emergency department holding setting.