PCU Registered Nurse
Kansas City, MO
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - PCU

Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Unit: Progressive Care Unit (PCU)
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:4
• Required experience: Minimum 2 years as a Registered Nurse
• First-time travelers accepted
• Weekend requirement: 8 weekend shifts per 6-week schedule period (Friday/Saturday/Sunday)
• Holiday shifts and Charge RN assignments as needed
• Floating: Regular floating between departments, units, and facilities may be required
• Block scheduling: Not accommodated
• Locals accepted
• On-call: Not required
• Guaranteed hours: Minimum 3 shifts per 13 weeks
• Maximum return-to-office (RTO) restrictions: No more than 7 days

Patient Population & Unit Details

• 26-bed unit caring for thoracic and vascular surgery patients post-operatively
• Patients include those recovering from cardiac surgeries such as CABG, valve replacements, aortic aneurysm repair, thoracotomy, carotid endarterectomy, TAVR, amputations, and bypass surgeries
• Complex patient population with multiple co-morbidities including advanced heart failure, end-stage renal disease, diabetes, etc.
• Care involves management of chest tubes, epicardial wires, temporary pacemakers, wound vacs, multiple IV drips (e.g., Milrinone, Dobutamine, Cardizem, Amiodarone, Insulin), telemetry, central venous access devices, dressing changes, blood product administration, epidural/PCA pain management, bladder scans, tracheostomy care

Required Certifications

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

Required Skills

• Experience with PCU/DOU/IMC/Stepdown units
• Interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
• Use of Rapid Response Teams
• Pacemaker management (temporary and permanent)
• Pre/Post cardiac catheterization and surgery care
• TAVR and TR Band care
• Insulin drip titration
• Feeding tube care and management
• Blood product administration
• Central and peripheral line care and management, including PICC lines
• IV starts and heparin protocols
• Management and titration of cardiac and vasoactive drips
• Chest tube management (Emerson/Pleur-evac)
• Oxygen delivery devices including nasal cannula, face masks, portable oxygen tanks
• Non-invasive airway management and tracheostomy care
• Isolation precautions
• Wound care and wound vac management

Required Licenses

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license for Missouri
• Pending licenses are not accepted

Background and Compliance Requirements

• Government-issued ID required
• Criminal background check within 6 months, including statewide and nationwide searches
• Education verification of highest nursing degree required
• Quarterly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks
• Fingerprinting required for assignments involving long-term care or rehab units in Illinois
• Primary source verification of professional license required
• NURSYS verification required for Missouri licenses
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, including a comprehensive panel
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Fit mask testing (N95) required and must be renewed annually
• Immunizations and/or titers required for:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray
  • Measles (Rubeola)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Varicella
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season
• Various facility-specific compliance documents including HIPAA acknowledgement, confidentiality forms, hand hygiene, dress code, and orientation modules must be completed prior to start

Additional Information

• Charting system: Epic
• Facility type: Tertiary care hospital, Level 1 Trauma center
• Magnet recognized (5-time Magnet Award winner)
• Parking: Free
• Scrub color: Navy

References and Evaluations

• Two professional references required (supervisors preferred)
• Performance evaluations may be requested upon completion of assignment

This position is ideal for experienced RNs with PCU or stepdown experience who are comfortable managing complex post-operative cardiac and vascular surgery patients in a fast-paced tertiary care setting. Prior travel experience is not required.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Missouri
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Minimum 2 years of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience, including experience within the last year
• Intermediate Medical Care (IMC) experience
• BLS and ACLS certifications issued by the American Heart Association
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Experience with use of Rapid Response Teams
• Experience managing temporary and permanent pacemakers
• Experience with pre- and post-cardiac catheterization care
• Experience with Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedures
• Experience with TR Band care and use
• Experience titrating insulin drips
• Central line and PICC line care and management experience
• Experience managing cardiac drips (without titration)