Progressive Care Unit RN
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (PCU) - Columbus, Ohio

Position Details

• Specialty: Registered Nurse (RN)
• Location: Columbus, Ohio
• Employment Type: Travel/Contract
• Contract Length: 16 weeks

Unit Information

• Medical Oncology with progressive care beds and some pediatric patients (rare; pediatric experience not required).
• High acuity Progressive Care Unit (PCU) with some med-surg patients.
• 36-bed Oncology Telemetry unit with over 24 beds dedicated to PCU level of care.
• Patient diagnoses include Solid Tumor, Orthopedic Oncology, Thoracic Oncology.
• Heavy focus on infection prevention protocols and patient falls.
• Required to float within units of equivalent or lower acuity.

Schedule & Orientation

• Self-schedule requests accepted before final schedule posting.
• Orientation:

  • Week 1: Monday to Friday, dayshift.
  • Week 2: 36 hours of on-unit orientation with a preceptor.

Required Experience & Certifications

• Experience:

  • High acuity PCU patient experience required.
  • Oncology experience preferred but not required (2 years preferred if applicable).
  • Previous travel experience preferred (not mandatory).
• Certifications:

  • Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS)
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • NIH Stroke Certification

Patient Ratios

• Med Surg Telemetry: 1:4-5
• PCU: 1:3

Skills Required

• Interpretation of dysrhythmias
• Use of rapid response teams
• Feeding tube care and management
• Accessing Ports
• Blood product administration
• Central line and peripheral line care/management
• PICC line management
• Starting IVs
• Heparin protocols
• Managing cardiac drips (no titration)
• PCA pumps
• Titration of cardiac drips
• Chest tubes (Emerson/Pleur-evac)
• External CPAP/BIPAP
• High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC)
• Interpretation of ABGs
• Nasal cannula use
• Tracheostomy management

Preferred Skills

• Management of dysrhythmias
• IV insulin protocols and titration of insulin drips
• Phlebotomy
• Chemotherapy administration and monitoring
• Wound care/Wound Vac
• Arterial line management
• Surgical drains
• Non-invasive airway management

Required Background & Compliance

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start.
• Monthly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG monitoring.
• Education accreditation verification from an accredited nursing program.
• Ohio BCI & FBI fingerprinting required within 1 year of start (specific fingerprinting code required).
• Pending background check attestation required if fingerprint results are pending.
• High school diploma or GED verification (for certain roles).
• Drug testing: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start (no pending tests allowed).
• Physical exam within 1 year of start confirming good health and free of contagious disease.
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (adult dose after age 11/12)
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year
  • TB questionnaire
  • MMR (Rubeola, Mumps, Rubella) - 2 vaccines or positive titer
  • Hepatitis B titer or 3-vaccine series (declination acceptable)
  • Varicella - 2 vaccines or positive titer (medical exemption possible)
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season (10/1 - 3/31)
• COVID vaccination not required but strongly recommended.

Competency & Testing Requirements

• Medication Test/Pharmacology Competency Exam (required prior to start).
• Unit-specific competency exam.
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 1 year of start and updated annually (minimum passing score 76%, max 3 attempts).
• Orientation Safety Manual Acknowledgement (annual).
• License verification and NURSYS verification required within 30 days of start.

References & Documentation

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

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Flexible scheduling with self-schedule requests.
• Comprehensive benefits package.

This position is ideal for RNs with PCU experience seeking a travel contract in oncology telemetry with a high acuity patient population. Oncology experience is preferred but not mandatory. Prior travel experience is preferred but not required.