PCU Step-Down RN
Vero Beach, FL
Host Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Job Opportunity: Step Down Registered Nurse (RN) - Travel/Contract

Location: Vero Beach, Florida
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each; 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
Guaranteed Hours: 36 hours per week

Job Description

• Specialty: Registered Nurse in Progressive Care Unit (PCU) with ICU experience required
• Minimum Experience: 2 years in PCU plus ICU experience
• First-time travelers accepted
• Must be willing to float within scope to multiple nearby hospitals (within 20 miles)
• Block scheduling not accommodated
• Locals accepted at same rate
• Pending Florida RN license accepted
• Epic electronic health record experience required (Epic proficiency level 3 or 4)
• Familiarity with cardiac drips and time-sensitive clinical modules is essential
• Facility is smoke-free; all travelers must be nicotine-free (verified by negative 10-panel drug screen including cotinine)

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Florida
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Minimum 2 years of stepdown (Progressive Care Unit) nursing experience, with at least 1 year of recent stepdown experience
• ICU (Intensive Care Unit) experience required
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system

Required Certifications

• AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) – must have at time of submission
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – must have at time of submission
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) – must be obtained prior to start

Required Licenses and Verifications

• Active, unencumbered Florida RN license (primary source verification required within 30 days of start)
• NURSYS verification required within 30 days of start
• Government-issued photo ID required on person during work hours

Background and Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check covering all locations lived/worked in past 7 years, updated annually
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start and updated for contract renewals
• Florida AHCA Level II fingerprint clearance required prior to start (Livescan electronic fingerprinting accepted nationwide)
• Drug Testing: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 1 year of start (no Florida Medical Marijuana card accepted)
• Smoke-free facility: Nicotine (cotinine) testing required

Health and Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 6 months of start
• Negative TB test (PPD, Quantiferon Gold, or T-spot) within 1 year, updated annually; chest x-ray and TB questionnaire if past positive
• Immunizations or titers required for:

  • Measles (Rubeola)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B (titer, vaccine series, or declination)
  • Varicella (2 vaccines, titer, or history of chickenpox)
• Seasonal Influenza vaccine required during flu season (10/31–3/31); medical/religious exemptions allowed with approved documentation
• COVID-19 vaccination series or approved medical/religious exemption required

Orientation and Training

• Start date aligned with next available orientation (3-4 weeks out)
• Completion of online onboarding modules mandatory prior to start (must be done on a computer using Google Chrome; video content must be watched fully before testing)
• Pass/Fail testing on EKG and Pharmacology administered during orientation (2 attempts allowed per test)
• Must complete facility-specific safety and HIPAA acknowledgments
• Time-sensitive training modules must be prioritized immediately upon assignment confirmation

Additional Requirements

• All requested time off (RTO) must be submitted upfront with application; late requests likely denied
• Two professional references required within 2 years of start date
• Employment application and skills checklist (updated annually) required
• Facility issues radiation badges if applicable (information only)

Facility Highlights

• Type: Short Term Acute Care, Teaching Hospital
• Total Staffed Beds: 332
• Charting System: Epic
• Scrub Color: White
• Parking: Free in unrestricted spaces

Summary

This travel RN position in a progressive care step-down unit requires a minimum of 2 years PCU experience plus ICU experience, with essential certifications and Florida RN licensure. Candidates must be nicotine-free, able to float within a multi-hospital system, and complete required onboarding and compliance documentation prior to start. Night shift, 3x12 hour shifts per week, guaranteed 36 hours. First-time travelers are welcome.