PCU Registered Nurse
Newark, NJ
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - PCU

Location: Newark, New Jersey
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks (approximately 3 months)
Specialty: Registered Nurse (PCU)
Required Experience: Minimum 2 years in specialty (PCU/DOU/IMC/Stepdown)
Prior Travel Experience: Not explicitly required

Job Description

• Provide nursing care in Progressive Care Unit (PCU), including DOU, IMC, and Stepdown units.
• Experience with Level II trauma center patients required; Level I and teaching hospital experience highly preferred.
• Work schedule includes every other weekend.
• Required certifications: NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS), ACLS, BLS.
• Strong experience with LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) patients is required.
• Skilled in titration of insulin and cardiac drips.
• Patient ratio in stepdown unit typically 1:4, depending on staffing and acuity.

Patient Population and Care Focus

• Adult patients (18+ years) with complex cardiac and transplant needs, including:

  • Heart, lung, and kidney transplant patients
  • Pulmonary hypertension patients (including those 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), including:

  • Stable and acute stroke
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Intracranial hemorrhage
  • Lumbar drain placement
  • Cervical spinal cord injury
  • Peri-operative neurosurgical patients
• Drug ingestion and overdose patients requiring frequent neurologic, pulmonary, or cardiac monitoring.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in New Jersey
• Minimum 2 years of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience, with at least some experience within the last year
• Trauma experience
• Certifications issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) or through the Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) program, including:

  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
• IV Certification
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Experience in an outpatient setting
• Strong experience caring for Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) patients

Compliance and Documentation Requirements

• Background Checks: Criminal background check within 30 days of start.
• Drug Screening: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 30 days of start.
• Health Documents:

  • Physical exam within the last 12 months, cleared for essential job functions.
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray as per protocol.
  • Immunizations and titers for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap.
  • Annual influenza vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption.
  • Respiratory medical clearance and fit testing (mandatory on-site).
  • Latex allergy screening questionnaire.
  • Color vision test if job tasks require color discrimination.
• Competency Exams:

  • Medication/Pharmacology competency.
  • Dysrhythmia/EKG competency.
  • IV Therapy/Infusion exam.
  • Pass/Fail testing for EKG and medication knowledge.
• References: Two references within the last 2 years, including at least one managerial reference.
• Work History: Employment application or resume with 7 years of work history; New Jersey candidates require verification of at least 1 year prior to start.

Additional Information

• Patient care ratio and acuity may vary; stepdown patients typically 1:4 ratio.
• Must be able to work every other weekend.
• Orientation and annual education sign-offs required.
• Various facility-specific competencies and certifications may be required depending on assignment.
• Candidates must comply with all facility and state-specific regulatory requirements.

This position is ideal for experienced PCU RNs with strong critical care skills, especially those comfortable managing complex cardiac and transplant patients in a trauma center environment.