Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse
Columbus, OH
Host Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Travel/Contract Registered Nurse (PCU)

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Specialty: Registered Nurse (PCU)
Contract Length: 16 weeks

Job Description

• Work on a busy surgical oncology mixed acuity unit caring for PCU and Med Surg adult and geriatric patients.
• Patient diagnoses include surgical oncology (breast, thyroid, melanoma), hepatobiliary cancers (liver, pancreas, spleen, biliary tract, neuroendocrine), colorectal cancers, and reconstructive plastics.
• Unit procedures include chemotherapy administration, blood transfusions, IV antibiotics, oncologic emergencies, cytokine release syndrome management, insulin and heparin drips.
• Strong emphasis on infection prevention protocols and patient fall prevention.
• Staffing ratios goal: 1:4, can be 1:5.
• Variable weekends based on unit needs.
• Rotating 12-hour day/night shifts; schedule reviewed every 4 weeks but subject to change based on staffing needs.
• Self-scheduling requests allowed but final schedule balanced by management.
• Orientation: First week Monday-Friday dayshift; second week 36 hours on-unit orientation with preceptor.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio
• Minimum 2 years of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience, including experience within the last year
• Med Surg experience
• Surgical Oncology experience
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• NIHSS (NIH Stroke Scale Certification)
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Experience working with adult patients
• Experience working with geriatric patients

Patient Population

• Adults and Geriatrics

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• NIHSS (NIH Stroke Scale Certification)

Preferred Certifications

• ONS Chemotherapy Certification

Required Licensure

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license for Ohio

Background and Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check including SS trace, counties lived/worked, nationwide check, sex offender registry, and motor vehicle record if driving is required.
• FBI and BCI fingerprinting required within 1 year of start, with specific Ohio codes for fingerprinting.
• Education accreditation verification from an accredited nursing program (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA).
• Monthly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG monitoring.
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start (includes amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine, methadone, methaqualone, opiates, PCP, propoxyphene).
• Physical exam within 1 year confirming good health and free of contagious disease.
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • Tdap (adult dose after age 11/12)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year (or TB questionnaire)
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) - 2 vaccines or positive titer
  • Varicella - 2 vaccines or positive titer (medical exemptions reviewed)
  • Hepatitis B titer or 3-vaccine series (declination accepted)
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season (10/1 - 3/31) with mask requirement if declined
• COVID-19 vaccination not required but strongly recommended.

Competency Requirements

• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam prior to start.
• Unit-specific competency exam.
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 1 year of start and updated annually (with remediation process if failed).

Orientation and Training

• First week orientation Monday-Friday dayshift.
• Second week 36 hours on-unit orientation with preceptor.
• Annual acknowledgment of safety manual, dress code, hand hygiene, ethics, and compliance policies.
• Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training certificate required prior to start and updated annually.

References and Documentation

• Two professional references required; at least one must be from a manager or formal leadership.
• Employment application required including education verification.
• Skills checklist required.

Additional Notes

• No prior travel experience explicitly required.
• Computerized charting system: EPIC.
• Shift flexibility required due to rotating day/night schedule.
• No set/blocked scheduling offered.

This position is ideal for experienced Registered Nurses with oncology or surgical PCU experience seeking a 16-week travel contract in Ohio.