Surgical Observation Unit Registered Nurse
Charleston, South Carolina
MUSC Health West Ashley Pavilion

Registered Nurse (RN) - Surgical Short Stay/Observation

Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Position Details

• Unit: Surgical Short Stay/Observation (6-bay, 23-hour observation unit inside a surgery center PACU within a large clinic)
• Shift: 3x12 hour shifts, 6:00 PM - 6:00 AM, Monday through Thursday (No Fridays, weekends, or holidays required)
• Patient Ratio: Max 1:6, typically 1:3
• Floating: Possible float to another observation unit during days or called off if census is low
• Staffing Model: Usually 2 RNs and 1 PCT; some nights may have 1 RN and 1 PCT
• Security: Overnight security present, moves inside surgery center waiting room after clinic closes (~8 PM)
• Patient Population: Orthopedics (total joints, arthroscopy, hand, shoulder & elbow cases), Interventional Radiology (VIR), GI (upper and lower scopes)
• Collaboration: Works closely with surgeons, anesthesia, and OR nurses in a fast-paced environment

Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 2 years required
• License: South Carolina RN license or Multi-State/Compact RN license
• Certifications:

  • BLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA certification required
  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) - AHA certification required
• First-timers: Accepted
• On-call: Not required
• Local Radius: 60 miles
• Locals: Accepted on a case-by-case basis

Scheduling & Hours

• Guaranteed Hours: Facility may call off 1 shift every 2 weeks
• Block Schedule: Possible with manager approval, dependent on unit needs
• No Weekend or Holiday Work Required

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Background Checks:

  • Annual background check covering all locations lived/worked in past 7 years
  • Includes SSN trace, statewide, national criminal, sex offender registry, FACIS 3, EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG
• Licensure Verification:

  • Primary source verification of SC RN license or compact license
  • NURSYS verification required
• Education Verification: Diploma or transcripts preferred as placeholder if verification pending
• References: Proof of 2 clinical references required
• Employment History: Verification of last 3 clinical employers required
• Drug Testing: 10-panel drug screen within 90 days of start (no instant tests)
• Physical Exam: Initial and annual physical exam attesting ability to meet job demands
• Fit Mask Test: N95 fit test within 90 days prior to start, renewed annually (specific mask models required)
• Vaccinations & Health:

  • Tdap within 10 years or declination form
  • Negative TB test (T-spot or Q-Gold) within 90 days or chest x-ray if prior positive
  • Annual TB questionnaire
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella: Positive titer or 2 vaccines (boosters if low titer)
  • Hepatitis B: Titer, vaccine series, or declination required
  • Flu vaccine required during flu season or medical/religious exemption (no declinations accepted)
  • COVID-19 vaccines highly preferred; declination form required if not vaccinated
• Competency Exams: Medication test/pharmacology and other competency exams as applicable
• Orientation: Completion of facility-specific orientation modules prior to start (approx. 2 hours)
• Photo: Passport-style photo required for badge
• Additional: Facility-specific documents and attestations including HIPAA and safety manual acknowledgements

Notes

• Candidates with background hits may not be eligible for temporary licensure walk-through process
• Radiation badge may be required depending on unit assignment (process managed separately)
• Facility may send travelers home if orientation modules are not completed before or during orientation
• Facility allows some flexibility with block scheduling but requires manager approval

This position offers a focused night shift schedule with no weekends or holidays, caring for a diverse surgical observation patient population in a secure, fast-paced environment. Ideal for RNs with at least 2 years of experience and required certifications who are licensed in South Carolina or hold a compact license.