PCU Registered Nurse
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Registered Nurse - PCU

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

Seeking a Registered Nurse for a Progressive Care Unit (PCU) on a travel/contract basis.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio.
• Minimum 1 year of recent experience working in a Progressive Care Unit (PCU).
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).

Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support): AHA Provider or Instructor certification required.
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support): AHA Provider or Instructor certification required (effective 11/13/25 for new bookings).
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support): Required only for ER, ER OB, and ER Psych units (not PCU).
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program): Required for L&D, Post-Partum, and OB units (not PCU).
• EFM (Electronic Fetal Monitoring): Not required for PCU.
• NIH Stroke Certification: Check unit-specific requirements; generally not required for PCU.
• Other: Unit-specific competency exams and medication/pharmacology competency exam required prior to start.

Background and Screening Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, including FBI and BCI fingerprinting results.
• Monthly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG monitoring.
• Education accreditation confirmation from an accredited nursing program (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA).
• Ohio BCI & FBI fingerprinting required with specific code (3701.881). Fingerprints must be current within 1 year of start or renewed if there is a break in service over 90 days.
• Pending background check attestation required if fingerprint results are pending at start.
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start (includes amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine, opiates, etc.). New travelers cannot start with drug screen pending.
• Physical exam within 1 year of start confirming good health and free of contagious disease.
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (adult dose after age 11/12)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year
  • TB questionnaire in lieu of annual TB test renewal
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): 2 vaccines or positive titer with boosters if low titer
  • Hepatitis B: Titer or 3-vaccine series (declination acceptable)
  • Varicella: 2 vaccines or positive titer (medical exemption requires documentation)
• Seasonal flu vaccination or declination during flu season (10/1 - 3/31). Decliners must wear a mask.
• COVID vaccination not required but strongly recommended.

Competencies and Exams

• Medication Test/Pharmacology Competency Exam required prior to start.
• Unit-specific competency exams required.
• Dysrhythmia/EKG Competency Exam required within 1 year of start and updated annually, except for certain excluded units or fully remote positions. Minimum passing score 76%. Remediation process available for failed attempts.

Additional Requirements

• 2 professional references required; at least one must be from a manager/director or formal leadership. Charge RN acceptable as second reference.
• Employment application required including education verification.
• Skills checklist required.
• Annual acknowledgment of dress code and hand hygiene policy.
• Annual acknowledgment of ethics and compliance policies.
• Confidential Fraud, Waste, Abuse, and Compliance Reporting training and form required.
• Orientation Safety Manual acknowledgment required annually.

Notes

• Candidates must not submit applications for contract extensions without managerial approval.
• Fingerprinting and background check processes are time-sensitive and must follow specific facility protocols.
• Some certifications can be renewed onsite.
• All documentation must be uploaded and verified according to facility and agency guidelines.

This position offers a travel nursing opportunity in a PCU setting requiring strong clinical skills, compliance with rigorous background and health screening, and adherence to facility-specific policies.