Step-Down Registered Nurse
Kalamazoo, MI
GHR Healthcare - PH Division
3x12 hrs, Nights

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse – Step Down Unit

Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit Description

• Step down unit caring for general medical and oncology stepdown patients
• Nurse to patient ratio: 1:4-6 (flexible with support staff and chemo admits)
• Floating to other med-surg areas including Acute Unit (AU) and Emergency Room (ER) to care for med-surg patients
• No call required
• Weekend work: every other weekend
• Scheduling: Weekends assigned by manager; other days self-scheduled
• Block scheduling may be accommodated upon request
• Must be available for the first two weeks of the assignment

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum 2 years PCU/Stepdown experience
• Skills: Administering chemotherapy via IV, starting IVs
• Experience with equipment: Welch Allyn Vital Sign Towers, Sigma IV Pumps
• Documentation experience with EPIC electronic health record system

Required Certifications & Licenses

• Michigan RN License
• BLS (AHA)
• NIH Stroke Certification
• ONCC or ONS certification (must be in hand prior to start)
• Additional certifications may be required depending on unit assignment (e.g., ACLS, PALS, TNCC)

Prior Travel Experience

• No explicit requirement for prior travel experience mentioned

Scheduling & Work Conditions

• Floating to other med-surg units including AU and ER
• Weekend shifts every other weekend
• No call responsibilities
• Charge RN typically not assigned patients
• Chemo admits reduce patient assignment ratios

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Criminal background check within 45 days of start, including lifetime search back to age 18
• MI LARA fingerprinting required within 45 days of start for certain positions/units
• Michigan Central Registry Clearance required for pediatric and certain specialty placements
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Drug testing: 10-panel including Marijuana/THC within 30 days of start
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (proof of at least one prior Tdap vaccine)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 30 days of start
  • Annual TB questionnaire
  • Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (2 vaccines or positive titer, no exemptions)
  • Hepatitis B (titer, series, or declination)
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption (for candidates starting after 11/1)
• Fit mask testing required on-site (Honeywell DC365N95HC) for acute care roles
• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam and specialty competency exam completed within 1 year prior to assignment start with passing score of at least 80%

Additional Notes

• References: One professional reference from a direct supervisor or manager required
• Employment application/resume with full 7 years work history, no gaps
• Skills checklist updated annually for applicable units
• Must review and sign facility-specific policies including Code of Conduct and Appearance Standards
• Vaccine exemption requests require facility-specific forms and approval

This position is ideal for experienced step down nurses with oncology and med-surg skills, comfortable with chemotherapy administration and working in a dynamic hospital environment with flexible scheduling.