Cardiothoracic Stepdown Registered Nurse
Shreveport, LA
Host Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse – 2West Unit

Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
Facility: Willis-Knighton Medical Center (Willis-Knighton Health System)

Facility Highlights

• Stroke Certified Facility
• Chest-pain Accredited
• 700+ Licensed Beds

Unit Details

• Unit Beds: 24
• Patient Types:

  • Post-operative CABG, lung surgery (lobectomy/VATS), PCI, AICD placement, TAVR
  • Medical Stepdown overflow including respiratory failure, CVA, DKA, sepsis, post-surgery, post-cardiac cath with intervention, ETOH with CIWA, IVDA, AMS
• Patient Ratios: 1:3-4

Experience Requirements

• 1-2 years of acute care experience preferred
• First-time travelers must have 2 years of permanent staff RN experience in acute care
• Travelers previously permanent staff must have a 1-year separation

Required Certifications

• BLS
• ACLS
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
• LVAD certification preferred

Skills and Competencies

• Must pass an EKG competency exam prior to arrival (includes MedSurg RNs)
• Experience with titrating cardiac drips, vasopressors, insulin drips
• Managing and pulling venous sheaths
• Managing temporary pacemakers, central lines, chest tubes

Unit Support

• CNA: 2 techs on days, 1 tech on nights
• Cardiac Rehab tech (days only)
• Unit secretary (days only)
• Charge nurse (may or may not have patient assignment)
• In-house phlebotomy and VAT team
• Resource nurse (Head RN and PCC available 7am-3pm)
• Respiratory therapist assigned to unit
• Hospitalist on call 24/7

Technology and Equipment

• EMR: Meditech Expanse
• IV Pumps: Alaris
• Medication Dispensing: Pyxis

Floating Assignments

• Possible float to 2 North (Medical Stepdown) or MedSurg (ratios 1:5-6)

Orientation

• 2 days hospital orientation plus 2 shifts on unit

Scheduling

• Weekend rotation every other weekend
• 4 days one week, 3 days the next (mandatory schedule)
• Time off: Up to 7 days allowed; must extend contract for any full week off
• Only 1 weekend off per 13-week contract allowed
• Blackout dates: Halloween 2024, Black Friday 2024
• No on-call required
• Holiday work: Expected to work 2 out of 3 major holidays

Additional Information

• Scrub color: Pewter
• Free parking in designated areas
• Unit culture: Diverse, multiple travelers, traveler-friendly

Required Pre-Employment Documentation and Compliance

• ACLS, BLS, NIH Stroke Scale certifications
• Annual Core Competencies
• Clinical references (2)
• COVID requirements
• Criminal background check and drug screen
• Employment authorization and license verification
• Immunizations and titers (Hep B, MMR, Varicella, TDAP)
• Physical exam and TB testing
• Skills checklist and competency verification
• HIPAA compliance

This position is ideal for RNs with acute care experience looking to work in a high-acuity, stroke-certified, and chest-pain accredited facility with strong unit support and a structured schedule.