Progressive Care Unit RN
Rapid City, SD
Host Healthcare
4x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Progressive Care Unit (PCU) RN - Rapid City, South Dakota

Job Overview

• Specialty: Progressive Care Unit (PCU)
• Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
• Contract Length: 13 weeks
• Facility Size: 56 beds

Experience Requirements

• Minimum Specialty Experience: 1.5 years preferred; candidates with less than 1.5 years require manager approval.
• First-Time Traveler: Accepted if RN has more than 2 years of experience.
• Prior Travel Experience: Not explicitly required.

Patient Population

• Adults with diagnoses including:

  • Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
  • Acute Renal Failure (ARF)
  • Hepatitis
  • End-Stage Liver Disease (ESLD)
  • Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
  • Pneumonia, Sepsis
  • GI Bleed, Syncope, Chest Pain
  • Pulmonary Emboli, Respiratory Failure, COPD
  • Arrhythmias, Seizure Disorders
  • Overdose, Delirium Tremors

Patient Ratios

• RN PCU/Telemetry: 1:4 (Days & Nights)
• RN Med/Surg: 1:5 (Days & Nights)
• CNA: 1:8 (Days & Nights)

Required Certifications & Education

• Registered Nurse (RN) license in South Dakota
• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
• Completion of an approved nursing education program

Skills & Clinical Competencies

• Cardiac and vasoactive drip titration (Heparin, Insulin, Cardizem, Amiodarone, Levophed up to 5 mcg, occasionally esmolol or other beta blockers; training provided if needed)
• Cardiac rhythm interpretation
• IV starts
• Blood product administration
• CIWA protocol
• Drain/tube management
• Indwelling and straight catheter insertion/management
• Insulin drips (both DKA and non-DKA)
• Continuous bladder irrigation
• Chest tube maintenance
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Thorough physical assessments
• Strong clinical judgment and professional bedside manner
• Team player with positive attitude and adaptability

Floating Assignments

• May float to:

  • Med Surg
  • Ortho/Neuro/Surgical
  • Heart and Vascular Unit
  • Oncology
  • ICU (depending on experience)
  • Observation units
• Floating occurs in rotation with other travelers and within scope of practice.

Orientation

• 2 days of in-class/online education
• Two 12-hour shifts with a preceptor

Scheduling

• Weekend rotation: Every other weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
• No scheduled on-call hours; may be placed on-call during low census or by request
• Holiday work: Every other holiday minimum during contract
• Time off: Up to 7 days approved; contract extension required if unable to complete full week
• No return to work during Sturgis Bike Rally (first 3 weeks of August)

Unit Support & Resources

• CNA support (1:8 ratio)
• 2 charge nurses (free-floating, 24/7)
• Phlebotomy available 24/7 for peripheral draws; RNs draw from central lines
• No IV/VAT team
• Resource nurse available as staffing allows
• Respiratory therapy 24/7
• Hospitalists in-house 24/7
• Centralized telemetry monitoring 24/7
• Violent Incident Response team available

Charting & Equipment

• Epic (preferred; approval needed if no Epic experience)
• Alaris infusion pumps
• Omnicell medication dispensing system

Additional Notes

• Previous permanent staff must wait 1 year before returning as a traveler
• Travelers must live at least 100 miles from any facility in the system
• Monthly audits for pre/post pain scoring with 90% compliance required
• Scrub colors: RN - Navy Blue; CNA - Cement/Light Grey
• Free parking available