Medical-Surgical Telemetry Registered Nurse
Lafayette, LA
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights

Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Position

Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Contract Length: 8 weeks
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each, 18:45–7:15)
Hours per Week: 36

Unit & Patient Population

• Unit accepts first-time travelers with a minimum of 2 years RN experience
• Patient diagnoses include: chest pain, CAD, PVD, arrhythmias, diabetes, COPD exacerbation, pneumonia, hypertension, MI, renal failure, PE, CHF, GI bleed, syncope
• Potential for med-surg overflow patients (e.g., GI bleed, sepsis, CVA, COVID+)
• Special procedures: pre/post cath lab, pacemaker/AICD, ablations, vascular surgeries (carotid endarterectomy, femoral-popliteal bypass), bedside sheath pulling
• Cardiac drip titration (Cardizem, Amiodarone, Dobutamine, Nitroglycerin, Dopamine, heparin)
• Telemetry monitoring and care of chest tubes, PCAs, epidurals, wound vacs

Job Expectations

• May be assigned to an Emergency Team during events, requiring extended stay or relief coverage as directed by unit manager
• Can be floated to other inpatient units as needed
• Scheduling requests (e.g., block scheduling) cannot be guaranteed
• Work every other holiday

Required Certifications & Skills

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (AHA or RQI accepted)
• Telemetry monitoring and dysrhythmia interpretation/management
• Experience with CABG patient care, chest tubes, post-angiogram, MI, cardiac cath, and sheath removal
• Port accessing and blood product administration
• Central line, peripheral line, and PICC line care/management
• IV starts and titration of cardiac and vasoactive drips
• Isolation precautions and wound care/management

Required Licensure & Experience

• Valid Registered Nurse license in Louisiana
• Minimum 2 years of telemetry nursing experience, including telemetry experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association

Background & Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, updated annually
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start, updated monthly
• Sex offender search required within 30 days of start, updated monthly
• Education verification (transcript/diploma acceptable if needed)
• NURSYS license verification within 30 days of start
• Competency exam specific to specialty, completed within 1 year prior to start, minimum 80% score, updated annually
• Skills checklist updated annually
• Employment application/resume required with 7 years employment history and explanation of gaps

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 12 months indicating good health
• Negative TB test (PPD, Qgold, or Tspot) within 12 months; if positive, chest x-ray and symptom-free TB questionnaire required
• Immunity or vaccination documentation required for:

  • Rubeola (Measles)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B
  • Varicella
• Tdap vaccine required for select units (ED, Pediatrics, Mother/Baby, NICU)
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 60 days of start, updated annually
• Seasonal flu vaccination, declination, or medical/religious exemption required during flu season (Oct 1–Mar 31)

Additional Facility-Specific Requirements

• Color photo for badge upload within 24 hours of booking (passport-style, recent, plain background)
• Fit mask testing (N95) within 1 year of start; onsite fit testing available if needed
• Emergency preparedness checklist required for assignments during hurricane season (June 1–Nov 30)
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification required unless working in ICU; must be updated annually and can be completed onsite during orientation

Summary

This travel RN position on a telemetry/medical-surgical unit requires a minimum of 2 years RN experience, current Louisiana RN licensure, and multiple cardiac and critical care skills including telemetry monitoring and cardiac drip titration. The role involves night shifts with potential emergency team assignments and float to other units. Compliance with extensive background checks, health screenings, and certifications is mandatory.