PCU Registered Nurse
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indiana University Health University Hospital

Registered Nurse - PCU (Night Shift) - Indianapolis, Indiana

Job Type

• Travel/Contract assignment
• Contract length: 13 weeks

Work Schedule

• Night shift: 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 PM to 7:30 AM)
• Expected to work every other weekend; consecutive weekends may be required based on operational needs

Unit & Patient Acuity

• Surgical Progressive Care Unit (PCU) with near ICU-level acuity
• Patient types include ENT (neck dissections, mandibulectomy), thoracic surgery (esophagectomy, lobectomy, pneumonectomy), general surgery (pancreatic, bowel/liver resections), urology (urinary diversions, cystectomies, RPLND), and medical overflow
• Staffing ratio: 1 nurse to 3-4 patients

Floating Requirements

• May be required to float to Med-Surg, PCU, or ICU units
• Refusal to float may result in contract termination
• Training and resources provided for floating assignments

Responsibilities & Expectations

• May be assigned charge nurse duties with provided training
• Must agree to precepting students or having students shadow during assignment (teaching facility requirement)
• Call-in shifts must be made up during the pay period or added to the end of the contract depending on FTE status

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Indiana
• Minimum 2 years of experience in Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (PCU), with at least some experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) / Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Current ACLS certification
• Current BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Proficient in management of chest tubes, fresh tracheostomies, and epidurals
• Skilled in IV insulin protocols including titration of insulin drips
• Experience with external BiPAP/CPAP devices
• Knowledge and experience in total laryngectomy care
• Competent in performing Doppler flap checks

Required Certifications

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) - AHA or RQI accepted
• BLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA or RQI accepted

Licensure

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license for Indiana
• Online license verification required within 30 days before start date

Health & Compliance Requirements

• Physical exam completed within 12 months of start date
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 12 months (including amphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, opiates, PCP)
• Tuberculosis screening (PPD, QuantiFERON-TB Gold, or T-SPOT) within 1 year; if positive, chest X-ray and documentation required
• Immunizations or positive titers required for:

  • Rubeola (Measles)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Varicella (no declinations accepted)
  • Hepatitis B (series, titer, or signed declination)
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine strongly recommended
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption required annually during flu season (9/30 - 3/31)
• Fit mask test (N95 respirator) within 12 months of start date; on-site fit testing available only as last resort with prior approval

Background & Documentation

• Background check within 90 days of start, including 7-year work/living history, SSN trace, county/state/national criminal checks, sex offender registry, and education verification
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks within 30 days of start
• Education verification and transcript/diploma required (official copies)
• Employment application covering 7 years with explanations for gaps over 30 days
• Minimum of 2 professional references from recent employment verified within 2 years; references must be from charge, manager, supervisor, or higher
• Skills checklist completed within 12 months and annually thereafter
• Competency exams including medication/pharmacology and unit-specific competency required
• Color blindness testing (Ishihara or equivalent) with 100% minimum score

Facility-Specific Requirements

• Completion of facility-specific compliance, confidentiality, and policy forms prior to start
• Completion of self-study orientation and testing packets as required
• Acknowledgement of HIPAA and safety manuals
• Agreement to facility’s Look of Assurance packet
• Mandatory completion of orientation modules if applicable (noted for RRTs, but RN candidates should confirm)

Additional Notes

• First-time travel nurses accepted; local candidates not accepted
• Indiana RNs are generally not allowed to work at this facility after 11/30/2024, except for Perioperative/OR, Allied, and Ambulatory RN travelers (including Endoscopy, IR, PACU, Cath Lab, Sterile Processing)
• Valid driver’s license or passport required (clear copy)
• Staffing and floating policies are strictly enforced

This position is ideal for experienced RNs comfortable with high-acuity PCU patients, flexible with floating, and willing to engage in teaching/precepting roles in a teaching hospital environment.