PCU Registered Nurse
Potsdam, NY
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights

Job Opportunity: PCU Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: Potsdam, New York
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each, 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit & Patient Population

• Mixed acuity unit including Progressive Care Unit (PCU), Medical-Surgical Telemetry (MS Tele), and Medical-Surgical patients
• Patient diagnoses include PCU and MS Tele, surgical pre/post-op (ENT, general surgery, trauma surgery, ortho surgery), overflow medical diagnoses
• Rare pediatric patients; travelers assigned only if experienced
• Float to sister units: West 2, West 3, and Observation unit
• Ratios: 1:3-6 at night

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum 1 year of nursing experience
• Must have PCU/Intermediate Care Unit (IMC) experience within the last 3 years
• First-time travelers accepted
• Must live more than 50 miles from the facility (no locals accepted)

Clinical Skills & Procedures

• Telemetry, PCU/DOU/IMC/Stepdown care
• Interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
• Post-myocardial infarction care
• IV insulin protocols and titration of insulin drips
• Feeding tube care and management
• Continuous bladder irrigation
• Renal failure management
• Accessing ports, blood product administration
• Central line and peripheral line care/management, PICC line management
• Starting IVs, heparin protocols
• Management and titration of cardiac drips, PCA, thrombolytic agents
• Care for CVA, seizure disorders, substance withdrawal
• Ortho trauma, peripheral nerve block catheters, total joint replacements, traction, mastectomy
• Chest tubes (Emerson/Pleur-evac), external CPAP/BIPAP, high flow nasal cannula (HFNC)
• Interpretation of ABGs, oxygen delivery devices, non-invasive airway management, tracheostomy management
• Isolation precautions, wound care including wound vac

Certifications Required

• ACLS (American Heart Association provider/instructor/RQI accepted)
• BLS (American Heart Association provider/instructor/RQI accepted)
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)

Preferred Certifications

• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• TCAR (TransCarotid Artery Revascularization)

Orientation & Training

• 12-hour unit orientation
• Medication, documentation, and communication systems: EPIC, Pyxis, SBAR

Work Requirements

• Return to Office (RTO): Maximum 7 days
• Weekend shifts: Every other weekend required
• Float requirement: Yes, may float to sister units

Required Licenses & Documents

• Valid Registered Nurse license for New York State (online verification required within 30 days of start)
• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or state ID)
• Background checks including 7-year criminal background, EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG within 30 days of start
• Education verification for nursing degree
• Drug screening as per facility requirements
• Physical exam within 1 year of start, updated annually
• Fit mask test within 1 year of start, updated annually
• Immunizations and titers: Tdap (within 10 years), TB test or chest X-ray, Rubeola (measles), Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella
• Flu vaccination or signed declination during flu season
• Eye exam (Snellen) within 1 year of start
• Harassment prevention training certificate (annual requirement)
• Medication/pharmacology competency exam and dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam as required

Additional Requirements

• 7-year work history verification
• Professional references (2 required)
• Employment application and skills checklist (updated annually)
• Facility-specific documents and training modules must be completed prior to start
• Candidate must review patient confidentiality, sexual harassment prevention, patient experience training, and other facility policies before starting

Notes

• Scrubs: Any solid color
• Prior travel experience is not required for this position
• Candidates must be able to manage a variety of complex clinical situations and procedures typical of a mixed acuity PCU/Telemetry unit
• Facility is strict about expiration dates on health documents; all must be current throughout the contract period

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in New York
• Minimum 3 years of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience, including experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• ACLS certification
• BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification