PCU Progressive Care Unit RN
Baltimore, MD
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights

Registered Nurse - PCU / Stepdown

Location: Baltimore, Maryland Employment Type: Travel/Contract Contract Length: 13 weeks Shift: Night, 3x12-hour shifts, 19:00 to 07:30 (36 hours per week)

Unit

• 48-bed cardiac telemetry PCU with an average daily census of about 48 patients
• Adult patients, primarily admitted from the Emergency Department, Cath Lab, and other inpatient units
• Common diagnoses: congestive heart failure, NSTEMI, AFib with RVR, other cardiac arrhythmias, and post-cardiac catheterization patients
• Team nursing approach with PCAs/CNAs and LPNs
• Fast-paced unit with quick patient turnover; timely discharge, hourly rounding, and bedside shift report are expected
• Typical nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:4, with 1:5 possible based on acuity and unit needs
• Floating within scope to other like units is required based on facility needs

Required Qualifications

• Valid Maryland RN license
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) / Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Minimum 1 year of PCU (Progressive Care Unit) experience, with PCU experience within the last year
• Telemetry experience
• Pre- and post-cardiac catheterization experience, including care of post-cardiac cath patients
• Experience with cardiac drips
• Heparin protocol experience
• IV insertion skills
• Blood product administration experience
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) issued by American Heart Association or RQI
• BLS issued by American Heart Association or RQI
• NIHSS certification

Scheduling and Policies

• First-time travelers accepted
• Local candidates accepted
• On-call is not required
• Every other weekend is required
• Time off is only granted if approved by unit leadership and noted in the contract

Compliance and Onboarding

• Government-issued photo ID (driver's license or state ID) required
• Background check within 6 months of start, updated annually, plus HHS/OIG and EPLS/GSA/SAM checks
• Education verification and Maryland Board of Nursing approved-school verification for RNs and LPNs
• I-9 and E-Verify required
• Physical exam within 1 year of start, with labs completed by the Monday before start
• Negative 9-panel drug screen within 30 days of start
• TB screening within 1 year of start (PPD, GOLD, or TSPOT), with a TB questionnaire updated annually
• Measles, mumps, and rubella immunity (2 MMR vaccines or positive titer)
• Varicella immunity (2 vaccines or positive titer)
• Hepatitis B titer, series, or signed declination
• Annual flu vaccination or medical/religious exemption required during flu season (10/01 to 03/31)
• Respirator fit test completed onsite; PAPR training provided if the candidate fails
• Two professional references within 2 years of start
• Work history verification for 2 workplaces within the last 7 years
• Employment application required
• On-site EKG exam required during orientation
• Trauma CEUs required after the 27th week of work (16-hour trauma course or TNCC, renewed annually)
• Radiation badge required for Cath Lab RNs, provided by the facility

Logistics

• Scrub color: navy blue