Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse
Newark, NJ
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights

Job Summary: Registered Nurse - Travel/Contract

Location: Newark, New Jersey
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of Registered Nurse experience (highest required)
• Experience in PCU/DOU/IMC/Stepdown units required
• Level II trauma center experience required; Level I and Teaching Hospital experience highly preferred
• Strong LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) experience required
• Experience with titration of insulin and cardiac drips required
• Prior travel experience is not explicitly required

Work Schedule

• Every other weekend

Certifications Required

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

Patient Population & Clinical Focus

• Adult patients (18+) including:

  • Heart transplant, lung transplant, kidney transplant patients
  • Pulmonary hypertension patients (including stable patients requiring IV prostacyclin)
  • Heart failure, hypertension, cardiac rhythm issues
  • Trach/vented patients with multi-organ issues
  • LVAD patients
  • Ostomy care and pain management
• Neurologic disorders requiring frequent assessments (every 2 hours) such as:

  • Stable/established stroke
  • Acute traumatic brain injury
  • Intracranial hemorrhage
  • Lumbar drain placement
  • Cervical spinal cord injury
  • Stable chronic neurologic disorders (e.g., neuromuscular weakness)
  • Peri-operative neurosurgical patients
• Drug ingestion and overdose patients requiring frequent neurologic, pulmonary, or cardiac monitoring

Patient Ratios

• Stepdown patients typically 1:4 ratio depending on staffing and patient acuity

Required Skills & Competencies

• NIH Stroke Scale certification and competency
• ACLS, BLS certifications current and valid
• Strong LVAD management skills
• Insulin and cardiac drip titration
• Neurologic assessment skills for complex neuro patients
• Experience in trauma center nursing

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• I9 verification
• Government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License required within 48 hours of signing)
• E-Verify clearance
• Criminal background check within 30 days of start (including alias and multi-level searches)
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks within 30 days of start and for renewals
• New Jersey Department of Treasury Exclusions List check within 30 days of start and for renewals
• Employment application or resume with 7 years of work history
• Work history verification (minimum 1 year prior to start, with no gaps over 30 days)
• Two references within last 2 years (one managerial)

Health & Safety Requirements

• Negative TB test or chest X-ray per facility protocol
• Physical exam within 12 months clearing candidate for essential job functions and communicable disease free
• Drug screen within 30 days of start (10-panel minimum)
• Seasonal influenza vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption required annually
• Fit test and respiratory medical clearance (on-site fit testing mandatory)
• Latex allergy screening questionnaire if applicable
• Color blindness exam if job tasks require color discrimination
• Required immunizations and titers:

  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella (positive IgG or vaccine proof)
  • Varicella (positive IgG or vaccine proof)
  • Hepatitis B immunity or vaccine compliance
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap within 10 years (declinations not accepted)

Competency Exams & Testing

• Medication Test/Pharmacology Competency Exam (within 72 hours of signing, required within 12 months)
• Dysrhythmia/EKG Competency Exam (required for critical care and telemetry units)
• Pass/Fail Testing for EKG and Medication (3 attempts max, remediation required after failures)
• Color Blind Testing (within 1 year, 80%+ passing score required)

Facility-Specific Training & Acknowledgements

• Annual education sign-off and review of facility-specific policies
• Vendor medical clearance form if history of positive TB
• RWJBH floating policy acknowledgment
• Blood transfusion reaction procedure and SBAR sign-off (for RNs)
• Baxter orientation videos and attestations (for RNs)
• Management of Assaultive Behavior (MAB) certification required for ER, Pediatric ER, and Behavioral Health RNs (online and in-person portions)

Additional Notes

• Candidates switching between RWJ sites with less than 30-day gap may reuse some documentation if within required timeframes
• All certifications expiring within a month of start require renewal confirmation
• Facility requires strict adherence to background checks and health documentation timelines
• Candidates must comply with all required documentation and training prior to start to ensure clearance

This position is ideal for experienced Registered Nurses with critical care, stepdown, and transplant patient experience, who are comfortable working in a trauma center environment and managing complex cardiac and neurologic patients.