PCU RN
Randallstown, MD
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights

Registered Nurse: PCU / Stepdown

Location: Randallstown, Maryland Employment type: Travel/Contract Contract length: 14 weeks Shift: Night (3x12 hours), 19:00 to 07:30 Hours: 12 per day, 36 per week Scrubs: Navy blue, provided

Unit Overview

• 40-bed PCU/Stepdown unit, Stroke Certified
• Average daily census of about 36 patients
• Adult and geriatric patients
• Common diagnoses: CHF, COPD, MI, sepsis, pneumonia, GI bleed, alcohol withdrawal, renal failure, stroke, and altered mental status
• Receives patients from the Emergency Department, ICU/CU step-downs, non-telemetry units, and direct admissions
• Telemetry RNs are responsible for interpreting and documenting rhythms
• Staffing ratios: typical 1:4, may be asked to take 1:5 based on acuity and downgrades

Float Expectations

• Floating is required based on hospital needs
• May float to non-telemetry Med-Surg units at a 1:6 ratio

Requirements

• Valid RN license in Maryland
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) / Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience: 2 years
• PCU experience within the last year
• Med-Surg / Telemetry experience
• Experience working with cardiac patients
• Experience with cardiac drips
• Strong EKG experience
• Chest tube management with Emerson/Pleur-Evac
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association or RQI
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association or RQI
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification

Procedures and Equipment

• Procedures: peritoneal dialysis, telemetry interpretation and rhythm documentation, non-titratable drips (amiodarone, diltiazem/Cardizem, Lasix), heparin drip protocol, and Code Team response as recorder and timekeeper
• Equipment: peritoneal dialysis system and portable telemetry monitoring

Competencies

• Dysrhythmia/EKG exam: Basic or Advanced per unit description; required for any RN who needs ACLS. Only vendor-approved exams are accepted, and an onsite exam is also required.
• Passing criteria: 80% overall, and 100% on the Lethal Rhythms section
• Maximum 2 attempts, with remediation required before each retake
• Medication test/pharmacology competency exam (RN)
• Unit-specific competency exam

Scheduling and Policies

• Every other weekend is required
• Block schedule is not accepted
• First-time travelers are accepted
• Local candidates are accepted
• Time off: the system auto-approves up to 14 days of RTO; every other winter and summer holiday is required with no RTO approved; no RTO on hard-to-fill days such as Easter, Mother's Day, and Father's Day

Onboarding Requirements

• Background: check within 6 months of start covering 7 years, updated annually; HHS/OIG and EPLS/GSA/SAM required; education verification required
• Drug screen: negative 9-panel within 30 days of start
• Physical exam: completed within 1 year of start, stating the candidate can meet essential physical job functions
• TB: negative PPD, GOLD, or TSPOT within 1 year; TB questionnaire updated annually
• Immunizations: MMR (2 vaccines or positive titer), Hepatitis B (titer, series, or signed declination), and varicella (2 vaccines or positive titer)
• Flu vaccine or medical/religious exemption required during flu season (10/01 to 03/31)
• Fit test: completed onsite; PAPR training is provided if the candidate fails
• References: 2 professional references within 2 years of start
• Work history verification: 2 workplaces within the last 7 years
• Other: badge photo, employment application, unit-specific skills checklist, signed parking registration, attendance policy, floating policy, and time and attendance policy