Adult Cardiac Stepdown RN
Peoria, Illinois
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center

Job Opportunity: Adult Cardiac Intermediate Unit RN

Location: Peoria, Illinois
Unit: Acute Cardiac Intermediate Unit (Stepdown)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit Overview

• 20 beds, all private and monitored
• Nurse-to-patient ratio typically 1:3; may go to 1:4 depending on acuity and patient population
• Patient population includes stepdown patients from ICU, TAVRs, Ablations, Watchmen Procedure, Micra, Mitral Clips, heart failure, trached and ventilated patients, COVID overflow
• Specialty equipment: Swan Ganz catheters, external pacemakers, IABPs
• Lines commonly used: PICC, Midlines, CVC, Swan Ganz, arterial lines (radial and femoral)
• Ventilated patients are trached; use of ventilators, CPAP, BiPAP, heated high flow oxygen

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum 2 years CVICU or Cardiac ICU experience strongly preferred
• Must be able to work independently with this patient population and equipment from day one
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-stress environment
• Strong assessment, critical thinking, communication, organization, teamwork, and time management skills
• Ability to follow protocols and orders precisely
• Compassionate with a positive attitude and professional behavior
• Must be able to interpret cardiac monitor strips (Philips monitors)
• Must be able to titrate multiple drips including dopamine, dobutamine, levophed, epinephrine, norepinephrine, vasopressin, cleviprex, propofol, fentanyl, versed, insulin, heparin, esmolol, etc.
• Able to float to ICU level care and take full team assignments

Certifications

• BLS (AHA) required
• ACLS preferred
• CCRN or PCCN a plus

Staffing & Support

• Charge nurses on all shifts, who may take patient assignments
• House supervisors available 24/7
• Patient care technicians (PCTs) present; ratios vary from 1:12 to 1:15 or more depending on staffing
• Tele/monitor techs available, but RNs must read and interpret their own strips

Scheduling & Shifts

• 12-hour shifts: 7am-7pm or 7pm-7am
• Weekend requirement: every 2nd or 3rd weekend (dayshift weekends are Sat/Sun; nightshift weekends are Fri/Sat)
• Holiday requirement: every other holiday
• No call or standby required
• No self-scheduling for travelers; priority scheduling given to permanent staff
• Scrub color/dress code: professional appearance required; scrubs not provided

Orientation

• 1 day unit-specific orientation
• 2 days preceptor orientation

Additional Notes

• Unit does not typically handle immediate post-op cardiac surgery patients (bonus if experienced)
• High acuity cardiovascular ICU skills required, including managing multiple drips, ventilated patients, temporary pacemakers, and advanced cardiac monitoring
• Drug-free campus; negative drug screen required

This position is ideal for experienced CVICU or Cardiac ICU RNs who are confident managing complex cardiac stepdown patients and are comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment.