Intermediate Care Unit RN
Wheeling, WV
Host Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Days, Nights
Referral Bonus

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (RN) - Intermediate Care Unit (IMU)

Location: Wheeling, West Virginia
Unit: Intermediate Care Unit (IMU)
Unit Size: 30 beds (14 private, 16 semi-private)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Certifications Required

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)

Experience Requirements

• Specialty: Intermediate Care Unit nursing
• Years of Experience: Not explicitly stated (default to standard RN experience for IMU)
• Prior travel experience: Not required (no mention of prior travel experience requirement)

Work Environment & Staffing

• Nurse-to-patient ratio goal: 1:4 (typically 1:5, occasionally 1:6)
• Charge nurses take full patient assignments on both day and night shifts
• Clinical Assistant support: 2 twelve-hour shifts on the floor with patient assignments, plus 2 eight-hour shifts in the office
• Nurse Aides: 2-3 CNAs per shift, with ratios of 1:10-12
• Respiratory Therapy (RT) available 24/7 (manages all respiratory equipment)
• IV Team available 24/7 (performs all IV starts)
• Pharmacy available 24/7 with Pyxis system
• Hospitalist in-house 24/7; Intensivist in ICU 24/7; Residents in-house 24/7

Shifts & Scheduling

• 12-hour shifts: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM and 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM
• Must be ready to start by 6:45 AM/PM
• Self-scheduling allowed if unit needs are met
• Staff allowed 4 requested days off per month
• Weekend shifts: Friday, Saturday, Sunday considered weekend

  • Night shift nurses work 4 weekend nights per 4-week schedule
  • Day shift nurses work 4 weekend days per 4-week schedule but must also work minimum 3 night shifts per 4-week schedule (not necessarily on weekends)
  • Only night shift is considered a straight shift
• Holiday work: Travelers must be flexible but holidays are usually covered by permanent staff

Orientation

• Day 1: Approximately 4 hours with HR, then 8 hours on unit with preceptor
• Day 2: On unit with preceptor
• After Day 2: Independent practice

Clinical Responsibilities

• Telemetry monitoring: Nihon Kohden system; RNs must read and interpret cardiac strips (Tele Techs present but RN responsible for strip interpretation)
• Drip titration: Amiodarone, Cardizem, Dopamine, Dobutamine, Labetalol, Nitro, Heparin, occasionally Lasix
• Ventilator management: Respiratory Therapists manage all respiratory equipment (AirVo high flow, Respironics BiPAP)
• Patient types: Chest pain, rule out MI, CHF, arrhythmias, post pacemaker, pre/post cardiac catheterization (manage radial bands and remove but do not pull sheaths), groin checks, overflow patients requiring intermediate care acuity, patients on Tikosyn therapy
• Rarely manage chest tubes

Additional Notes

• Scrub color: Navy blue top and bottom, navy scrub jackets, no hoodies
• Floating: Required to float to Telemetry or MedSurg units as needed (ratios up to 1:6, possibly 1:7 in MedSurg)
• May be expected to float to Pandemic Unit

This position is ideal for RNs experienced in intermediate care settings who are comfortable with telemetry, drip titration, and flexible scheduling including weekend and night shifts.