Travel Medical-Surgical RN
Denver, CO
Host Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Travel RN - Medical Surgical (Med Surg)

Location: Denver, Colorado
Specialty: Registered Nurse (RN)
Employment Type: Travel
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit Information

• Unit: 9A Medical Surgical (18 beds)
• Staffing: 32 staff members (Day and Night shifts include Charge RN, RNs, and 1 Patient Care Technician (PCT))
• Patient Ratios: Approximately 5:1 RN (estimated)
• Equipment: Philips Monitors, Alaris Pumps, Dopplers, Welch-Allyn VS machines, Mobilab, Glucometers
• EMR System: Meditech

Required Skills

• Proficient in Meditech EMR
• Skilled in tracheostomy and ostomy care

Preferred Skills

• Experience with general surgery patients

Typical Procedures on Unit

• Minimally invasive surgeries
• Colectomy, ostomy creation and takedown
• Artificial airway creation and management
• Podiatry and plastics surgeries
• Common diagnoses: CHF, COPD, cellulitis, sepsis, DKA, pneumonia

Patient Population

• Post-abdominal and gynecological surgeries (hysterectomies, vaginal/laparoscopic)
• Medical patients with COPD, diabetes, non-healing wounds
• GI surgery patients (colectomies, colostomy/ileostomy)
• Neurosurgery and skull base/EENT patients (craniotomies, CSF leak repairs)
• Teaching patients with interns and residents involved

Work Environment & Culture

• Team-oriented, upbeat, kind, and invested in good patient outcomes
• Busy environment requiring flexibility and ability to shift priorities
• Enjoyment of precepting and coaching new nurses
• Must be willing to work weekend shifts

Unit Guidelines & Expectations

• Shift huddles at 7 AM and 7 PM
• Bedside shift report using SBAR communication tool
• Use of whiteboards for patient communication and pain management plans
• Purposeful hourly rounding assessing the 5 Ps: Potty, Pain, Position, Personal Items, Pumps
• Adherence to iCARE values: Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence
• Use of AIDET communication framework with patients and families
• No Pass Zone policy: all staff must respond to call lights and alarms
• Documentation and communication standards strictly followed

RN Responsibilities

• Daily bed and linen changes for patients
• Strict hand hygiene before and after patient contact and procedures
• Care and documentation of restraints (only if P/SL Restraint Competency completed)
• Foley catheter care and documentation daily, including proper cleaning and positioning
• Central line care including hand hygiene, use of SwabCaps, daily CHG wipe downs, and dressing changes (weekly or as needed)
• Cannot discontinue central lines (notify charge nurse if ordered)
• Vital signs collection and documentation (collaborate with PCT for some time points)
• Intake and output documentation every 12 hours in real time
• Pain reassessment after administration of pain medications
• Continuous pulse oximetry for patients on PCA pumps
• ECG strip printing and rhythm identification for telemetry patients each shift
• Prompt communication with charge nurse regarding patient condition changes, physician calls, and discharge plans

PCT Responsibilities (collaborative with RN)

• Vital signs collection at specified times
• Bathing, catheter care, oral hygiene, and linen changes
• Intake and output recording in real time
• Assisting patients with eating and mobility
• Stocking supplies and maintaining unit cleanliness
• Alerting charge nurse to any abnormal vital signs or patient condition changes

Communication & Shift End

• Keep charge nurse informed of patient status and any physician communications
• Participate in interdisciplinary bedside rounding (SIBR)
• Clear pumps and record intake/output by 6 PM
• Stock nurse servers, empty trash and linen bags
• Verify all orders are initiated and completed before shift end
• Communicate outstanding labs and new orders to oncoming shift

Certifications & Licenses Required

• BLS Certification
• Current Registered Nurse License

This position offers a supportive environment with a dedicated resource nurse for each shift to ensure success and high-quality patient care.