PCU Registered Nurse
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse – PCU (Travel/Contract)

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Contract Length: 16 weeks

Job Overview

• Work on a busy mixed acuity surgical oncology unit caring for Progressive Care Unit (PCU) and Medical-Surgical patients.
• Unit diagnoses include surgical oncology (breast, thyroid, melanoma), hepatobiliary cancers (liver, pancreas, spleen, biliary tract, neuroendocrine), colorectal cancers, and reconstructive plastics (breast cancer, sarcoma).
• Patient population: Adults and geriatrics.
• Staffing ratio goal: 1 nurse to 4 patients, sometimes 1:5.
• Shift: Night shift (3 shifts of 12 hours each, 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM), with possible rotation between days and nights based on unit needs.
• Weekend work is variable.
• No set/blocked scheduling; schedule reviewed every 4 weeks but subject to change based on staffing priorities.
• Travelers may be required to float within their scope of practice.
• Orientation: First week is Monday-Friday day shift orientation; second week includes 36 hours of on-unit orientation with a preceptor.
• Self-scheduling requests are accepted but final schedule is balanced by management.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio
• Minimum 2 years of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience
• PCU 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
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification

Preferred Certifications

• Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Chemotherapy Certification.

Computer Systems

• Experience with EPIC electronic medical record system.

Background and Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, including FBI and BCI fingerprinting with specific Ohio codes.
• Monthly monitoring through EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG databases.
• Education accreditation verification from an accredited nursing program (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA).
• Proof of fingerprinting completion required prior to or at start.
• Completion of Confidential Fraud Waste Abuse and Compliance Reporting Mechanism Form.
• Annual review and acknowledgment of dress code, hand hygiene, ethics, and compliance policies.

Health and Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year confirming good health and free of contagious disease.
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine (adult dose after age 11/12).
• Negative TB test (PPD, QGold, or TSPOT) within 1 year or chest x-ray if positive. TB questionnaire required annually.
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): 2 vaccines or positive titer; boosters required if low titer.
• Hepatitis B: Titer or 3-vaccine series or signed declination.
• Varicella: 2 vaccines or positive titer; medical exemptions require documentation.
• Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season (Oct 1 - Mar 31). Mask required if declining.
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start (no pending results allowed).

Competency Requirements

• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam prior to start.
• Unit-specific competency exam required.
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 1 year of start and updated annually (exceptions apply).

References and Documentation

• Two professional references required; at least one must be from a manager or formal leadership.
• Employment application required including education details.
• Skills checklist required.

Additional Notes

• Travelers must be prepared for a fast-paced, high-acuity environment with mixed patient populations.
• Flexibility in scheduling and floating within scope of practice is expected.
• Orientation and ongoing competency assessments are integral to the assignment.

This summary provides essential information for healthcare recruiters and nurses considering this travel contract RN position in Ohio.