Medical-Surgical Telemetry Registered Nurse
Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette General Medical Center

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (MS/Tele)

Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 8 weeks

Unit & Patient Information

• Unit accommodates first-time travelers with 2 years of nursing experience.
• Patient diagnoses include:

  • Chest pain, CAD, PVD, arrhythmias, diabetes mellitus, COPD exacerbation, pneumonia, hypertension, myocardial infarction, renal failure, pulmonary embolism, congestive heart failure, GI bleed, syncope.
  • Potential for med-surg overflow (e.g., GI bleed, sepsis, CVA, COVID+).

Special Procedures & Unit Details

• Pre/post cath lab care
• Pacemaker/ICD (PPM/AICD) management
• Ablations
• Vascular surgeries (carotid endarterectomies, femoral-popliteal bypasses)
• Titration of drips including Cardizem, Amiodarone, Dobutamine, Nitroglycerin, Dopamine, Heparin
• Sheath pulling at bedside

Scheduling & Work Expectations

• Work every other holiday
• May be pulled to other inpatient units as needed
• No guarantee of specific scheduling requests (e.g., block scheduling)
• May be assigned to an "Emergency Team" during emergency events, requiring extended stay or relief duties

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Louisiana
• Med Surg / Telemetry nursing experience (minimum 2 years)
• Med Surg / Telemetry experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Background & Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, updated annually
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start, updated monthly
• Education verification of highest level required
• Sex offender search required within 30 days of start, updated monthly
• NURSYS license verification within 30 days of start
• Competency exam specific to specialty, completed within 1 year prior to start, minimum 80% score, updated annually
• Skills checklist updated annually
• Employment application/resume required with 7 years employment history and explanation for gaps

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 12 months indicating good health
• Negative TB test (PPD, Qgold, or Tspot) within 12 months, updated annually
• Required immunizations or titers:

  • Rubeola (Measles)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B
  • Varicella
• Tdap vaccine required for certain units (ED, Pediatrics, Mother/Baby, NICU)
• Flu vaccination or approved declination/exemption required during flu season (Oct 1 - Apr 30)
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 60 days of start, updated annually
• Fit mask testing (N95) within 1 year of start; onsite fit testing available if needed

Additional Notes

• Candidates must be comfortable with potential emergency event assignments requiring extended shifts or relief duties.
• Special equipment used includes telemetry monitors, chest tubes, PCA pumps, epidurals, and wound vacs.

This position is ideal for Registered Nurses with at least 2 years of experience who are flexible with scheduling and emergency response duties in a telemetry/medical-surgical setting.