RN - Advanced Care Unit (Stepdown)
Parkersburg, WV
Malone Healthcare - Nursing
3x12 hrs, Days
Referral Bonus

🏥 Advanced Care Unit (ACU) – Stepdown RN

📍 Unit Overview

• 30 beds (all private rooms)
• Specialty focus: Stroke, Trauma, Vascular
• Higher-acuity stepdown (borderline ICU at times)

👩‍⚕️ Patient Population

You’ll regularly see:

• Stroke patients (neuro focus)
• Trauma cases
• Vascular surgeries:
  • Carotids (often 4–5 fresh post-ops at once)
  • Fem-pops
  • Post-cath patients (TR bands, femoral access)
• DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) → Diabetic Ketoacidosis
• Amputations (AKA = above-knee)

👉 This is not a “light” stepdown unit—it leans high acuity

📊 Staffing & Ratios

• RN ratio: 1:4
• PCTs: 3 per shift (≈1:10)
• Charge nurse:
  • 24/7 coverage
  • Often takes patients (especially nights)

🧠 Must-Have Skills

• Stepdown experience with similar acuity
• Telemetry competency (strip reading REQUIRED)
• Ability to manage complex vascular + neuro patients

👉 If you’re shaky on tele or post-vascular care, this will feel tough fast

💉 Drips & Skills

• Titration required ✅
• Common drips:
  • Cardizem (per MD orders)
  • Insulin
  • Heparin

🫁 Respiratory Support

• CPAP
• BiPAP
• High Flow
• (Future goal: stable vents)

📡 Telemetry

• Monitor techs available
• BUT: RN must:
  • Read
  • Verify
  • Sign off on strips

🕒 Scheduling

• Shifts:
  • Days: 07:00 – 19:30
  • Nights: 19:00 – 07:30
• Scheduling style:
  • Self-scheduling allowed
  • Block scheduling possible (not guaranteed)

📅 Weekend & Holiday

• Every other weekend (EOW)
  • Nights: Fri/Sat/Sun
  • Days: Sat/Sun
• Holidays:
  • Travelers may be required depending on staffing needs

🔄 Floating

• Travelers are first to float 🚩
• Possible assignments:
  • Med-Surg / Tele (lower acuity)
  • ICU (ONLY for stepdown-level patients)
  • CV Stepdown
• ❌ Will NOT float to CVICU

📜 Certifications Required

• BLS
• ACLS
• NIHSS

👕 Dress Code

• Royal blue scrubs
• Optional scrub jacket (must be clinical—no hoodies)

🎓 Orientation

• Day 1: HR + educator + unit shadow
• Day 2: Shadow
• Day 3: Independent

👉 Fast ramp-up—expected to function quickly