PCU Registered Nurse
Potsdam, New York
Canton-Potsdam Hospital

Job Opportunity: PCU Registered Nurse

Location: Potsdam, New York
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit & Patient Population

• Mixed acuity unit including Progressive Care Unit (PCU), Medical-Surgical Telemetry (MS Tele), and Medical-Surgical patients
• Patient diagnoses include PCU and MS Tele, surgical pre/post-op (ENT, general surgery, trauma surgery, ortho surgery), overflow medical diagnoses, and rare pediatric patients (travelers assigned only if experienced)
• Unit uses EPIC for documentation, Pyxis for medication dispensing, and SBAR for communication
• Float requirement: May float to sister units (West 2, West 3, Observation unit)
• Weekend requirement: Every other weekend
• Ratios:

  • Days and weekends: 1 nurse to 3-5 patients
  • Nights: 1 nurse to 3-6 patients
• Orientation: 12 hours

Shift Details

• Night shift
• 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (18:45 to 7:15)
• Total hours per week: 36

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in New York
• Minimum 3 years of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience, including experience within the last year
• Experience in Medical-Surgical Telemetry (MS/Tele) and telemetry monitoring
• Certifications:

  • ACLS issued by American Heart Association
  • BLS issued by American Heart Association
  • PALS issued by American Heart Association
  • NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
• Education: Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• Clinical skills and competencies including:

  • Interpretation of dysrhythmias
  • Post-myocardial infarction (Post MI) care
  • Titration of insulin drips
  • Continuous bladder irrigation
  • Central line care and management
  • PICC line management
  • Heparin protocols
  • Management of cardiac drips (no titration)
  • Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)
  • Administration of thrombolytic agents
  • Care for total joint replacements
  • Mastectomy care

Required Documentation & Compliance

• Government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License or State ID)
• 7-year criminal background check including all aliases and multiple registry checks (National, State, County, Social Security, Sex Offender Registry, Education Verification)
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks within 30 days of start
• Education verification for nursing degree (official verification required; transcripts/diplomas not accepted)
• NURSYS verification for RN license within 30 days of start
• Harassment prevention training certificate (New York state requirement, annual)
• Medication/pharmacology competency exam as required by profession
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required for all candidates
• Photo for badge (passport-style with solid background)
• Review of patient confidentiality, sexual harassment prevention, patient experience training, and compliance attestations prior to start
• Completion of required online modules before start date

Health & Safety Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start, updated annually
• Fit mask test within 1 year of start, updated annually (specific mask types required; PAPR exemption available if fit test failed)
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccination within 10 years (Td not accepted)
• Negative TB test (Qgold, Tspot, or 2-step PPD) within 1 year; if positive, negative chest X-ray within 10 years and annual TB questionnaire required
• Immunizations or positive titers required for:

  • Rubeola (Measles)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B (positive titer, completed series, or declination)
  • Varicella (positive titer, vaccination, or documented history)
• Drug screening required within 30 days of start (specific panels and substances detailed)
• Seasonal flu vaccination or signed declination required during flu season (documentation deadline December 3)
• Snellen eye exam within 1 year of start (not required annually)

Additional Requirements

• 7-year work history verification (Aya attestation letter accepted as last resort)
• Employment application and skills checklist (updated annually)
• Two professional references required (Aya baseline requirement)

Notes

• Scrubs: Any solid color
• Ratios and float assignments adjusted by patient acuity
• Travelers without PCU/IMC experience within last 3 years will not be accepted
• Facility is strict about expiring health documents; renewals must be completed prior to expiration during assignment to avoid removal from floor

This position offers a challenging and diverse clinical environment suitable for RNs with PCU/IMC experience seeking a travel contract in New York.