PCU Registered Nurse
Bangor, Maine
Eastern Maine Medical Center

Registered Nurse – PCU (Intermediate Care Unit)

Location: Bangor, Maine
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: 7 PM – 7 AM (12-hour night shift)
Hours per Week: 36

Unit & Patient Population

• Intermediate Care Unit (PCU) with 12 beds
• Level II Trauma Center environment
• Patient types include:

  • Trauma (Level 2 trauma patients)
  • Neurology (strokes, stable craniotomies with coils or clips, CIWA, seizure precautions)
  • Medical/Surgical (respiratory illnesses such as COVID, flu, pneumonia; long-term trachs with vents; respiratory failure requiring BiPAP or high flow O2; COPD exacerbations; post-op general surgery; sepsis; IV drug abuse; thyroid storm)
  • Cardiac (STEMI, NSTEMI, CHF, AFIB with RVR, post cardiac cath, post ablation, 24-hour post-op TAVR)

Patient Ratios

• RN to patient ratio: 1:3-4 (days and nights)
• Tech to patient ratio: 1:6-12 (days and nights, dependent on staffing)

Required Experience

• Minimum 1 year of Intermediate/PCU level of care experience
• If only Medical/Surgical experience with some PCU exposure, minimum 2 years required
• Prior travel experience required: must have completed at least two 13-week travel assignments

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
• AACN and CCRN certifications preferred but not required

Clinical Skills & Competencies

• Trauma/Neuro: experience with trauma patients, stroke patients, and performing neuro checks every 2 hours
• Medical/Surgical: high flow O2, chest tubes, wound vac/VAC dressing changes, BiPAP, general drain/ostomy care, IV starts, trach care and suctioning (RT provides education), administering 100% FiO2 via suction support, silencing alarms
• Cardiac: managing temporary pacemakers, TR bands, post femoral sheath care, cardiac rhythm interpretation
• Drip management: cardiac drips (e.g., Amiodarone at set rate, Cardizem), insulin titration (travelers without insulin/cardiac drip experience will be declined)

Unit Support & Resources

• CNA support (ratio 1:6-12)
• Charge nurse (may have patient assignments if needed)
• Phlebotomy available
• 24/7 resource nurse (ICU trained)
• 24/7 respiratory therapy
• 24/7 hospitalist coverage
• Trauma surgery team manages their own patients
• PT/OT available Monday through Friday
• IV/VAT team for ultrasound-guided IVs and PICC/midline placements; RNs start their own peripheral IVs

Technology & Equipment

• Cerner electronic charting system (highly preferred)
• Alaris IV pumps
• Pyxis medication dispensing system
• GE monitors

Orientation & Floating

• General hospital orientation followed by 1 day unit-specific orientation
• May float to Emergency Department, ICU, or CCU if intermediate care assignments exist in those departments
• CCU patient types include CHF, STEMI, NSTEMI, etc.

Scheduling & Work Environment

• Shift times: 7 AM – 7:30 PM or 7 PM – 7 AM
• Weekend rotation every other weekend
• May be placed on low census callback
• Time off requests require manager approval
• Holiday work expectations vary based on unit needs
• Scrub color: any professional color acceptable
• Free parking in designated areas

Additional Requirements & Checks

• Must complete standard pre-employment screenings and certifications including:

  • Annual core competencies
  • Criminal background check
  • Drug screen
  • Immunizations and titers (Hep B, MMR, Varicella, TDAP)
  • N95 mask fit testing
  • Employment authorization verification
  • Other facility-specific compliance and competency verifications

This position is ideal for experienced PCU nurses with strong trauma, neuro, cardiac, and medical/surgical skills who have prior travel nursing experience and are comfortable working in a fast-paced, trauma-level environment.