Medical-Surgical/Telemetry Pulmonary RN
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sanford USD Medical Center Sioux Falls

Job Opportunity: RN - MS/Tele Pulmonary

Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit Overview

• 30-bed medical surgical unit and 8-bed progressive care unit (IMC)
• Patient diagnoses include pneumonia, COPD, congestive heart failure, COVID-19, pulmonary embolism, and complex pulmonary cases
• Focus on mechanical ventilation, oxygen therapy, intravenous medications, moderate sedation monitoring during bronchoscopies, chest tubes, tracheostomies, postoperative care, non-invasive and mechanical ventilation, and cardiac monitoring
• Diverse patient population with a supportive family culture
• Nurse-to-patient ratio:

  • Pulmonary Acute (IMC RNs): 1:3
  • Med-Surg day shifts: 1:4-5
  • Med-Surg night shifts: 1:5-6

Required Skills & Experience

• Specialty: Medical-Surgical and Telemetry Pulmonary nursing
• Required skills: Bipap, Cpap, Heated High Flow, Oxygen titration, Moderate Sedation, Telemetry, Medical-Surgical patient care
• Certifications: BLS (AHA), ACLS (AHA) required; specialty certification preferred
• Licensure: South Dakota RN license or compact state RN license
• Years of experience: Not explicitly stated, but implied to require solid critical care and pulmonary nursing experience (recommend minimum 2+ years in specialty)
• Prior travel experience: Not explicitly required

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care focusing on safe patient outcomes in a critical care environment
• Manage patients on mechanical ventilation and non-invasive ventilation
• Administer intravenous medications and monitor moderate sedation during bronchoscopies
• Perform oxygen therapy and cardiac monitoring
• Float to other Med-Surg units as needed; travelers are first to be reassigned
• Use Epic for documentation, Alaris pumps for IV fluids, and Acudose for medications

Orientation & Training

• Day 1: Competency validation on telemetry and mechanical ventilation with Nurse Educators
• Day 2: Unit shift with preceptor including patient care, unit tour, and testing
• Day 3: 12-hour shift on unit

Work Environment & Culture

• Scrubs: Navy Blue / Blue Scrubs dress code
• Magnet facility with strong emphasis on patient safety, quality care, and professional development
• Opportunities to participate in committees such as Patient Experience, Performance Improvement, Leadership, Clinical Reasoning, Research, Ethics, and Service Excellence
• Encouragement for education advancement and board certifications (e.g., ACLS, Progressive Care Nursing, Medical-Surgical Nursing)
• Supportive team culture valuing ideas, recognition, and mentoring
• Shift options include straight nights with every other weekend and holiday off

Additional Notes

• Travelers must badge in/out at the facility
• Must disclose if previously worked at the facility with a minimum 6-month gap before reapplying
• Unit can flex bed capacity up to 41 beds depending on COVID volume
• IMC travelers work both IMC and Med-Surg units; Med-Surg travelers work Med-Surg only