PCU Registered Nurse
Kansas City, Missouri
Saint Luke's Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - PCU

Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Unit: Progressive Care Unit (PCU)
• Patient Ratios: Typically 1:5; may flex to 1:6 occasionally, with travelers expected to take extra patients.
• Experience Required: Minimum 2 years as a Registered Nurse.
• First-time Travelers: Not accepted.
• Weekend Requirement: 8 weekend shifts per 6-week schedule period (Friday, Saturday, Sunday combination).
• Floating: Regular floating within scope to different departments, units, and facilities as needed.
• Charge RN Assignments: May be required as needed.
• Holiday Shifts: May be required.
• Guaranteed Hours: Minimum 3 shifts per 13 weeks.

Patient Diagnoses

• Medical diagnoses related to pulmonary, wounds, urology, general cardiac, general neurological, and general renal conditions.

Required Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)

Required Skills and Competencies

• Work Settings: Medical-Surgical/Telemetry, Telemetry
• Cardiac Monitoring & Emergency Response: Interpretation of dysrhythmias, telemetry monitoring on the unit
• Endocrine/Metabolic: IV insulin protocols
• IV Therapy/Phlebotomy: Blood product administration, central line care/management, peripheral line care/management, PICC line management, starting IVs
• Medications: Heparin protocols, PCA
• Respiratory: Chest tubes (Emerson/Pleur-evac), oxygen face masks, non-invasive airway management
• Professional Topics: Isolation precautions, wound care/wound vac

Preferred Skills

• Cardiac telemetry and ER holding experience
• Management of dysrhythmias and use of rapid response teams
• Feeding tube care and management
• Renal failure care
• Stroke (CVA) care
• Orthopedic trauma and total joint replacements
• Surgical drains (plastics)
• Tracheostomy management

Schedule and Work Conditions

• No on-call requirement
• No block scheduling accommodation
• Local candidates accepted
• Pending licenses not accepted
• Return-to-Office restrictions: No more than 7 days

Required Background and Compliance

• Government-issued ID required
• Criminal background check within 6 months, including statewide and nationwide searches
• Education verification of highest nursing degree required
• Quarterly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks
• Fingerprinting required for certain assignments (especially in Illinois long-term care or rehab units)
• Primary source verification of professional nursing license required
• NURSYS verification required for Missouri licenses
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, including a comprehensive panel
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Fit mask (N95) testing and annual renewal required
• Immunizations and titers required or declination forms for:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap
  • TB testing (2 negative PPDs or equivalent)
  • Measles (Rubeola)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Varicella
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season
• Various facility-specific compliance documents and training modules required prior to start

References and Evaluations

• Two professional references required (supervisors preferred)
• Unit-specific skills checklist required within 1 year of start
• Performance evaluations may be requested after initial assignment

Additional Notes

• Floating between units and departments is expected to meet facility needs.
• Candidates must be prepared to work weekends and holiday shifts as required.
• This is a tertiary care hospital with a Level 1 Trauma designation and recognized as a Magnet facility.
• Charting system used: Epic
• Parking is free.
• Scrub color: Navy

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Missouri
• Minimum 2 years of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience, including experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Telemetry experience with on-unit cardiac monitoring
• Ability to interpret dysrhythmias and respond to cardiac emergencies
• Experience with IV insulin protocols
• IV therapy experience, including blood product administration
• Central line care and management experience
• PICC line management experience
• Chest tube management experience (Emerson/Pleur-evac)
• Oxygen face mask therapy experience