Registered Nurse PCU Oncology Telemetry
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital

Registered Nurse – PCU (Oncology Telemetry Unit)

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 16 weeks

Unit & Patient Care Information

• Medical Oncology unit with progressive care beds and some pediatric patients (pediatric experience not required).
• High acuity PCU (Progressive Care Unit) patients with a small amount of med-surg.
• Patient diagnoses include Solid Tumor, Orthopedic Oncology, and Thoracic Oncology.
• Unit has 36 beds, with over 24 beds dedicated to PCU level of care.
• Staffing ratios:

  • Med Surg Telemetry: 1 nurse to 4-5 patients
  • PCU: 1 nurse to 3 patients
• Required to float within units of equivalent or lower acuity.
• Heavy focus on infection prevention protocols and patient fall prevention.

Schedule & Orientation

• Shift options: Day (3x12 hours, 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM) or Night (3x12 hours, 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM).
• Self-scheduling requests are accepted before final schedule posting.
• Orientation:

  • Week 1: Monday to Friday, dayshift orientation.
  • Week 2: 36 hours of on-unit orientation with a preceptor.
• Rotating 12-hour day/night shifts possible based on department needs; shift assignments reviewed every 4 weeks but not guaranteed.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio.
• Minimum of 1 year of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience within the last year.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification.
• Ability to interpret dysrhythmias.
• Experience using rapid response teams.
• Competency in accessing ports.
• Blood product administration skills.
• Central line care and management.
• PICC line management.
• Proficient in starting IVs.
• Management of cardiac drips without titration.
• Ability to titrate cardiac drips.
• Experience managing chest tubes, including Emerson and Pleur-evac systems.

Preferred Skills

• Management of dysrhythmias.
• IV insulin protocols and titration of insulin drips.
• Phlebotomy.
• Chemotherapy administration and monitoring.
• Wound care including wound vac.
• Arterial line management.
• Surgical drains.
• Non-invasive airway management.

Equipment Used

• B450 monitors with GE telemetry system.
• Bladder scanner.
• Alaris pumps.
• Stryker beds.
• Continuous bladder irrigation.
• PCA pumps.

Background & Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, including FBI and BCI fingerprinting (Ohio-specific code 3701.881).
• Monthly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG monitoring.
• Education verification from accredited nursing programs (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA).
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start (includes amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine, methadone, methaqualone, opiates, PCP, propoxyphene).
• Physical exam within 1 year of start confirming good health and free of contagious disease.
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Tdap (adult dose after age 11/12).
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year.
  • TB questionnaire.
  • 2 MMR vaccines or positive titers for Rubeola, Mumps, and Rubella.
  • Hepatitis B titer or 3-vaccine series (declination accepted).
  • Varicella: 2 vaccines or positive titer (medical exemptions reviewed).
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season (10/1–3/31).
• COVID vaccination not required but strongly recommended.
• Annual background check not required by client but required by agency.

Certifications & Competencies

• BLS (Basic Life Support) – AHA provider or instructor accepted.
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) – AHA provider or instructor accepted.
• NIH Stroke Certification – must be obtained within 1 year of start and renewed every 2 years.
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 1 year of start and updated annually.
• Medication test/pharmacology competency exam required prior to start.
• Unit-specific competency exam required.
• Orientation safety manual acknowledgement required annually.
• State license verification and NURSYS verification required within 30 days of start.

References & Documentation

• Two 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 details.
• Skills checklist required.

Benefits & Additional Information

• Competitive salary (details withheld).
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Flexible scheduling with self-schedule requests.
• Comprehensive benefits package.

Note: This position involves working in a high-acuity oncology telemetry unit with a focus on progressive care patients. Oncology experience is preferred but not mandatory. Candidates should be comfortable with complex patient care, telemetry monitoring, and a variety of specialized nursing skills.