Stepdown/PCU Registered Nurse
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson Medical Center

Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Position

Location: Tucson, Arizona
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Seeking ICU nurses willing to work in Stepdown / High Acuity PCU / True Stepdown / Mini ICU units.
• Not recommended for first-time travelers.
• Valid Arizona RN license required.
• Certifications required: BLS and ACLS (must not expire within 30 days of start).
• Minimum 2 years of Stepdown experience required.
• Skills needed:

  • Cardiac Stepdown care
  • Post-op heart day 1 care
  • Titrating insulin, cardiac & vasoactive drips
  • Comfortable managing tracheostomies and arterial lines
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:3 preferred, 1:4 understaffed.
• Must be willing to float within scope of care.
• Full contract length commitment required.
• EPIC electronic health record system experience required.
• No local candidates or block requests accepted.

Required Experience

• Specialty: Registered Nurse (ICU/Stepdown)
• Minimum 2 years of Stepdown experience (higher value confirmed).
• Prior travel experience: Not explicitly required, but first-time travelers are not recommended.

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support) – AHA or Red Cross only
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) – AHA or American Red Cross only
• Other certifications that may be required depending on unit assignment:

  • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
  • NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Procedure)
  • EFM (Electronic Fetal Monitoring)
  • CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) or MAB (Management of Assaultive Behavior)
  • NIH Stroke Certification
  • ENPC (Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course) for Pediatric ER
• Pass/Fail Testing (EKG/Medication) may be required on certain units.

Required Documents & Compliance

• Valid Arizona RN license verification within 30 days of start.
• Background checks including 7-year history, OFAC, National Sex Offender, EPLS/GSA/SAM, and HHS/OIG within 30 days of start.
• Employment application with last 7 years of work history; gaps over 30 days must be explained.
• Two professional references from employment within last 3 years, including one supervisory reference.
• Skills checklist updated annually.
• Orientation Safety Manual Acknowledgement required.

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start, signed by physician, NP, or PA.
• Fit testing for N95 mask within 1 year of start.
• Full TDAP vaccine within past 10 years (declinations allowed except for certain pediatric units).
• Negative TB test (QuantiFERON Gold, Tspot, or PPD) within 3 months of start; chest x-ray if positive.
• Proof of immunity or vaccination for:

  • Measles (Rubeola)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Varicella
  • Hepatitis B (declinations allowed with signed form)
• Drug testing: 12-panel urine drug screen within 30 days of start, must be started within 72 hours of booking.
• Seasonal flu vaccination required during flu season (Oct 1 – April 30) or approved medical/religious exemption with facility-specific form.

Additional Notes

• Orientation held twice monthly.
• No submissions to multiple positions allowed.
• Full contract length must be completed.
• Candidates must be comfortable working in a high-acuity environment with complex cardiac and respiratory patients.

This position is ideal for experienced ICU/Stepdown RNs with strong cardiac and critical care skills who are comfortable in a fast-paced, high-acuity setting and have prior Stepdown experience.