PCU Registered Nurse
Athens, Georgia
Piedmont Athens Regional

Registered Nurse, PCU (Night, 3x12)

Overview

• Role: Registered Nurse, PCU
• Location: Athens, Georgia
• Employment type: Travel/Contract
• Contract length: 12 weeks
• Minimum experience: 2 years; first-time travelers are accepted

Schedule and Shift

• Shift: Night, 3x12 hours (19:00 to 07:00)
• Hours: 12 hours per day, 36 hours per week
• Weekends: Every other weekend, unless specified elsewhere
• Return to office (RTO): Maximum of 7 days
• Call: None
• Floating: Yes, within the facility and scope of practice as needed
• Holidays: If one major holiday falls within the assignment, the traveler is expected to work it. If two fall within the assignment, the traveler is expected to work both. If three fall within the assignment, the traveler is expected to work two. Major holidays are Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving/Black Friday, Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve/New Year's Day.
• Orientation: 12 non-billable orientation hours
• Scrub color: Navy blue

Unit and Patient Population

• Patient population: Adults to geriatrics
• Ratio/census: 1:3-4; 32-bed unit with an average daily census of 21
• Admits from: CICU, MSICU, acute care floors, and the ED
• Common patient types: Post-op CABG, thoracic and vascular surgery; respiratory failure with multiple treatment modalities (excluding invasive mechanical ventilation); cardiac arrhythmias; DKA; GI bleed; trauma; CVA; seizures; CIWA; metabolic, renal, and GI disorders; hypertensive emergency; sepsis; neuro disorders
• Unit systems: Epic, Pyxis, SBAR, AirVo, BiPAP, CPAP

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Georgia
• PCU - Progressive Care Unit (2 years of experience)
• PCU - Progressive Care Unit experience within the last year
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• BLS issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing

Required Competencies and Clinical Requirements

• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam: Required for this unit. Three attempts are allowed. A failed third attempt results in cancellation. Clinical remediation is not allowed, but WorkRamp remediation is permitted.
• Medication test/pharmacology competency exam: Required by the staffing agency only, not the client
• Competency exam: Required by the staffing agency only, not the client
• Skills checklist: Required within 12 months and updated annually
• Color blind test: Required for all candidates. Scores below 80% are escalated for next steps.

Health and Screening Requirements

• Background check: Must be submitted within 30 days of start, must be complete before start, and must be updated annually. Education verification is required.
• Drug screen: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 60 days of start, with specific panels required. Candidates cannot start with results pending.
• TB screening: Negative TB test (PPD, QuantiFERON Gold, or T-SPOT) within 12 months of start. A TB questionnaire is required for all candidates and must be updated annually.
• Physical exam: Required within 12 months of start; annual renewal is not required
• Immunizations: MMR (2 doses or positive titer), varicella (2 doses or positive titer), and hepatitis B (surface antibody titer or signed declination). Low or equivocal titers can be addressed with a 2-dose record or 2 booster doses.
• Flu vaccine: Vaccine or declination required. Vaccines are available on-site from September 1.
• Tdap: Highly recommended but not required for clearance

Other Requirements

• References: 2 clinical references
• Work history verification: Most recent employer required; can be pending at start with proof it is running
• Facility documents: Code of conduct acknowledgement (required before start) and dress and professional appearance policy
• Compliance: All requirements must be complete to start on time. Incomplete compliance pushes the start back 2 weeks due to the biweekly orientation schedule.
• Offer process: After the candidate signs and confirmation is sent, the manager has 48 hours to review. The offer is available only after a clinical pass within RTO guidelines and meeting facility requirements.