Travel RN Float Pool (PCU/Oncology)
La Jolla, CA
Host Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Opportunity

Location: San Diego, California
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Start Date: January 5th only
• Specialty: Registered Nurse (RN)
• Unit: Float Pool covering multiple locations (Thornton, Jacobs, Hillcrest, East Campus)
• Floating: RN must be willing to float to 4 different locations during the contract, including possible float to Emergency Department Inpatient Overflow (EDIP)
• Patient Care Units: PCU (Progressive Care Unit), IMU (Intermediate Care Unit), general medicine, surgical, neuro, oncology, cardiac, orthopedic
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratios:

  • IMU: 1:3
  • Telemetry: 1:4
  • Medical-Surgical (MS): 1:5
• Documentation Systems: EPIC, Pyxis
• Schedule:

  • 4-week schedule provided 2 weeks in advance
  • No blocked or self-scheduling
  • RN will be notified 2 hours before each shift of the assigned facility

Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 2 years PCU experience
• Certifications:

  • CHEMO Certification (required)
  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
  • NIH Stroke Certification
• Skills:

  • IV start
  • Telemetry
  • Phlebotomy
  • Arterial line (A-line) experience
• Other:

  • Must be comfortable floating to all PCU units and Medical-Surgical if census permits
  • Unit accepts first-time travelers

Background and Compliance

• Background checks must be current within 6 months and include:

  • Criminal checks with all aliases
  • SSN trace
  • County, sexual offender, national criminal databases
  • DMV check if driving for the facility (no DUI in last 5 years)
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start and monthly thereafter
• California Medi-Cal search required within 30 days of start and monthly thereafter
• Transcript/Diploma verification as applicable
• References: Two leadership references within past 2 years required, preferably from manager/supervisor and charge RN

Certifications & Competencies

• Mandatory Certifications:

  • ACLS
  • BLS (Basic Life Support)
  • NIH Stroke Certification (required for ICU, PCU, Tele units)
• Additional Certifications (if applicable):

  • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
  • NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program)
  • CNOR (Certified Nurse Operating Room)
  • EFM (Electronic Fetal Monitoring) for L&D nurses
  • IV Certification (as required by unit)
  • Management of Assaultive Behavior (MAB) (as required)
• Competency Exams:

  • Medication/Pharmacology competency exam (passing score 80%+)
  • Color Blind Testing (online acceptable)
  • General competency exam (passing score 80%+)

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start (updated if break in service >30 days)
• Fit mask test (N95 or equivalent) passed and updated annually
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (within 10 years or titer + declination)
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray (within 3 months) and annual TB questionnaire
  • Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Rubella (positive titer or 2 vaccines)
  • Hepatitis B (proof of vaccination and/or titer or declination)
  • Varicella (chickenpox) (positive titer or 2 vaccines)
• Drug screening: 9-panel drug screen within 30 days of start, re-run if break in service >30 days
• Seasonal vaccinations:

  • Flu vaccine strongly preferred during flu season (Nov 1 – Mar 31) with declination forms if refused
  • COVID-19 seasonal vaccination or declination required as of March 13, 2025

Additional Information

• Aya Healthcare offers this position for nurses with no Return to Origin (RTO) restrictions and a clinical pass
• Per diem candidates have additional badge and orientation module requirements
• UCSD Health uses EPIC for documentation and Pyxis for medication management
• Floating requires flexibility and adaptability to multiple units and patient populations

This opportunity is ideal for experienced PCU RNs who are comfortable working in a fast-paced float pool environment across multiple hospital locations in San Diego.