Travel Nurse RN - Telemetry
Peoria, IL
First Connect Health
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Cardiothoracic Registered Nurse (RN)

Department: Cardiothoracic / Cardio Thoracic
Unit Size: 70 beds
Shift: 12-hour shifts
Day Shift: 7:00 AM–7:30 PM
Night Shift: 7:00 PM–7:30 AM
Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
Call/Standby: None currently

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Cardiothoracic Registered Nurse (RN) to provide specialized care to adult patients recovering from cardiac and thoracic procedures, as well as patients with complex medical conditions.

The 70-bed unit cares for a diverse population, including patients with cardiac conditions, pulmonary disease, post-operative thoracic cases, and general medical overflow. The ideal candidate will have strong EKG interpretation skills, medication titration experience, and comprehensive bedside nursing skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive nursing care to cardiothoracic and medical-surgical patients.
• Monitor patients for changes in cardiac and respiratory status.
• Perform and interpret EKGs and cardiac rhythms.
• Safely administer and titrate medications and continuous infusions.
• Manage patients with chest tubes and other post-operative devices.
• Provide care for patients following cardiac and thoracic procedures.
• Monitor patients with pacemakers and AICDs.
• Manage patients requiring CPAP, BiPAP, and other respiratory support as appropriate.
• Collaborate with physicians, respiratory therapists, PCTs, monitor technicians, and other healthcare professionals.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and communicate changes in patient condition promptly.
• Provide patient and family education and compassionate bedside care.
• Follow all patient-safety, infection-control, and hospital policies.

Required Qualifications

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Current BLS certification.
• Strong EKG interpretation skills.
• Proficiency in basic nursing skills and patient assessment.
• Experience with medication administration and titration.
• Ability to care for adult cardiothoracic and medically complex patients.

ACLS is recommended.

Common Diagnoses & Patient Types

The unit commonly cares for patients with:

• Myocardial infarction (MI)
• Congestive heart failure (CHF)
• Atrial fibrillation (A-fib)
• COPD
• Patients undergoing pacemaker or AICD placement
• Post-operative lung surgery patients
• Chest tube patients
• Esophagectomy patients who are not fresh from PACU
• General Medical-Surgical overflow patients

Drip Management

RNs are required to titrate medications as part of patient care.

Common titratable medications include:

• Cardizem
• Heparin

Candidates should be comfortable safely managing and titrating these medications according to facility protocols.

Patient Ratios

• Days: 1 RN to 4–5 patients
• Nights: 1 RN to 5–6 patients

Unit Staffing & Support

• Charge Nurse: Available 24/7 and rarely takes a patient assignment.
• House Supervisor: Available 24/7.
• PCT Ratios:
  • Days: 1:8–9
  • Evenings: 1:9–10
  • Nights: 1:10–12
• Monitor Technicians: Available.
• Telemetry: Philips monitoring equipment.
• RNs are expected to independently read and interpret cardiac rhythms.

Respiratory Support

The unit provides access to:

• CPAP
• BiPAP for patients who use it as their home regimen
• Heated high-flow oxygen in special circumstances, including certain COVID-19 patients

Schedule

Day Shift: 7:00 AM–7:30 PM
Night Shift: 7:00 PM–7:30 AM

Weekend Requirement

Every other weekend.

• Days: Saturday/Sunday
• Nights: Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday

Holiday Requirement

Holiday rotation is required.

Day Shift Holidays:

• Memorial Day
• July 4th
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas
• New Year's Day

Night Shift Holidays:

• Memorial Day Eve
• July 3rd
• Labor Day Eve
• Thanksgiving Eve
• Christmas Eve
• New Year's Eve

Call/Standby

• No call or standby requirement at this time.

Floating Requirements

RNs may be required to float to other general Medical-Surgical units based on staffing needs.

Dress Code

• Any scrub color is acceptable.
• Adult-unit appropriate attire required.
• No children's or cartoon-themed prints.

Orientation

Typically 1 shift or a portion of one shift, depending on whether the clinician has previously worked at an OSF facility.

Submission Requirements

Candidates submitted for consideration must provide:

• Last four (4) digits of Social Security Number
• Middle initial
• Requested time off
• Active Illinois license or confirmation that the license application process has been initiated
• Confirmation that the candidate understands OSF's Drug-Free Campus policy and will successfully complete the required negative drug screen for all panels

OSF Important Notes

Local Rate: Applies to clinicians whose permanent address is within 50 miles. A $25 reduction applies to regular and overtime bill rates.

Call-Off Policy: Clinicians may call off the equivalent of 12 hours every 13 weeks without penalty or the requirement to pay for the shift.

Orientation: 12 hours of orientation are non-billable, and guaranteed hours do not apply during orientation.

1159592

Harris