PCU Registered Nurse
Anchorage, AK
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights

Registered Nurse (PCU) - Travel/Contract

Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Assignment Length: 13 weeks
Start Date: ASAP
Shift: Night, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 PM - 7:30 AM)
Guaranteed Hours: 60 hours per 2 weeks (may be called off for 1 shift per 2 weeks)
Experience Required: Minimum 1 year in specialty
First Time Travelers: Accepted
Local Candidates: Not accepted (must live at least 50 miles from facility)
On-Call: No
Weekend Coverage: May be more frequent than every other weekend, based on staffing needs
Floating: Yes, within scope to lower acuity units including renal care, neuro, and medical-surgical

Unit Information

• Stepdown unit from ICU with diverse patient populations across multiple disciplines
• Patient ratios: 1 RN to 4 patients, 1 CNA to 6 patients
• Utilizes a Co-Care/Virtual Nursing Model: bedside RN, virtual RN, and CNA per patient
• Patient population includes:

  • Cardiac cases (CHF, MI, post-TAVR/MVR, pacemakers, arrhythmias, ACS)
  • Respiratory cases (COVID, flu, COPD, asthma exacerbations, trach patients >24h post-placement, chronic home ventilators) with ability to manage high flow nasal cannula and BiPAP
  • Neurology and renal overflow patients
  • Complex medical-surgical patients requiring higher monitoring (e.g., alcohol withdrawal, GI bleeds)

Required Licenses and Certifications

• Must have Alaska RN license in hand for auto-offer; license pending accepted if application can be completed within 48 hours of signing
• Certifications required:

  • BLS (Basic Life Support)
  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
  • NIH Stroke Scale Certification (NIHSS)
• Additional certifications may be required per unit directives

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Alaska
• Minimum 1 year of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• BLS certification issued by American Heart Association or Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation
• ACLS certification
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification

Health and Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year, signed by MD, NP, PA, or DO, confirming ability to work
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 12 months (annual updates required)
• Immunizations or proof of immunity for:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (within 10 years)
  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella (2 MMR vaccines or positive titer)
  • Varicella (2 vaccines or positive titer)
  • Hepatitis B (vaccination series or signed declination; positive titer and vaccine series required for Alaska placements)
  • Seasonal Flu vaccine during flu season (declination accepted)
  • COVID-19 vaccination documentation preferred (declinations accepted)
• Fit mask testing required for respirator use, updated annually
• Drug screening: 9-panel drug screen within 12 months (instant acceptable)

Background and Credentialing Requirements

• Background check within 90 days covering all locations lived/worked in past 7 years; must be updated annually
• Education verification required for nursing degree
• Employment application covering at least last 5 years (7 years for APN/subcontractors)
• Minimum of 2 professional references covering 1 year of employment in comparable specialty/setting within last 3 years
• NURSYS license verification required
• Additional state-specific and facility-specific background checks as applicable

Additional Information

• Parking is free
• Scrubs provided
• Charting system: Epic
• Time off requests approved on individual basis and must be submitted with application
• Floating policy acknowledgment required
• Candidates must complete annual regulatory and specialty-specific training modules as assigned

Summary

This is a 13-week travel RN assignment on a progressive care unit in Anchorage, Alaska, working night shifts with a focus on cardiac, respiratory, neuro, renal, and complex medical-surgical patients. Candidates must have or be able to quickly obtain an Alaska RN license, hold required certifications, and meet comprehensive health, background, and credentialing requirements. Floating within scope and weekend coverage flexibility are expected. First-time travelers are welcome, but local candidates are not eligible.