Step Down Registered Nurse
Saint Louis, MO
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Days

Job Opportunity: Step Down Registered Nurse

Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Details

• Unit: Step Down (Acute Care Hospital)
• Shift: Day, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 AM – 7:30 PM)
• Weekly Hours: 36 hours guaranteed
• Patient Ratio: 1 nurse to 4 patients
• Weekend Requirement: 2 shifts every other weekend (Saturday and Sunday for day shift)
• Floating: Yes, within scope to lower acuity floors
• Local Radius Rule: 75 miles (locals not accepted)
• Pending License Accepted: Yes
• On-call: No

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum 2 years of RN experience
• Must have recent bedside experience within the last 6 months
• Experience with ventilators, titration of vasopressors, sedation medications, insulin drips, trach vents, arterial lines, external pacemakers, and chest tubes
• Must be proficient in titration of vasopressors, sedation medication, insulin drips

Required Certifications

• ACLS (AHA only; certs of completion accepted for up to 1 month)
• BLS (AHA only; certs of completion accepted for up to 1 month)
• NIH Stroke Certification (required for all nurses; must be updated annually)

Licensure

• Valid RN license in Missouri (Primary Source Verification required via NURSYS)

Requirements/Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in Progressive Care Unit (PCU)
• PCU experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Current ACLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Current BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Experience with ventilators (vents)
• Experience titrating vasopressors/pressors
• Experience with insulin drips
• Experience titrating sedation medication
• Experience with trach vents
• Experience with arterial lines
• Experience with external pacemakers
• Experience with chest tubes
• Recent bedside nursing experience within the last 6 months

Compliance & Background Requirements

• Government-issued ID required
• Criminal background check within 6 months, including statewide and nationwide searches
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required quarterly
• Education verification of highest nursing degree required before start
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, covering a comprehensive panel (amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, methadone, opiates, oxycodone, PCP)
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Fit mask testing (N95) required and must be renewed annually; facial hair must allow proper fit
• Immunizations and health screenings:

  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year
  • Tdap vaccine or declination (expires every 10 years)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella immunity or vaccination/declination as applicable
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or medical/religious exemption required during flu season (Sep 30 – Apr 1)
• Fingerprinting required for assignments in Illinois long-term care or rehab units

Additional Requirements

• Unit-specific competency exam required annually
• Unit-specific skills checklist required within 1 year of start
• Two professional references required (supervisors preferred)
• Employment application must be submitted and uploaded
• Various facility-specific documents must be completed prior to start, including:

  • HIPAA Acknowledgement
  • Latex Allergy Questionnaire
  • Confidentiality Form
  • Regulatory Compliance Education (annual quiz with minimum 80% score)
  • Hand Hygiene, Fingernail, and Dress Code Policies acknowledgment
  • Badge photo (head and shoulders, white background, no obstructions, taken within 6 months)

Special Notes

• First-time travel nurses are not accepted for this assignment
• No block scheduling accommodations
• No guaranteed parking cost (parking is free)
• Charting system used: EPIC
• Facility staffed beds: 233
• Scrub color: Navy

This position is ideal for experienced RNs with recent critical care skills looking for a 13-week travel contract in a step down unit with day shifts and weekend rotation.