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

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - PCU

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 16 weeks

Unit Description

• Mixed acuity surgical oncology unit caring for PCU and Med Surg patients.
• Busy surgical floor with a focus on surgical oncology, hepatobiliary, colorectal, and reconstructive plastics oncology patients.
• Staffing ratio goal: 1:4 (can be 1:5).
• Variable weekends based on unit needs.
• Rotating shifts (days, nights, or combination) with schedule reviewed every 4 weeks.
• Self-scheduling requests allowed but final schedule based on staffing priorities.
• Orientation: 1 week Mon-Fri dayshift, followed by 36 hours on-unit orientation with preceptor.

Patient Population

• Adults and geriatrics.
• Diagnoses include:

  • Surgical oncology (breast, thyroid, melanoma)
  • Hepatobiliary cancers (liver, pancreas, spleen, biliary tract, neuroendocrine)
  • Colorectal cancers (colon, rectal)
  • Reconstructive breast cancer or sarcoma (plastics)

Clinical Responsibilities & Procedures

• Chemotherapy administration
• Blood transfusions
• IV antibiotics
• Management of oncologic emergencies
• Cytokine release syndrome care
• Insulin and heparin drips
• Strong emphasis on infection prevention and patient fall prevention

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio.
• Minimum 2 years of nursing experience in a Progressive Care Unit (PCU), with at least some 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 issued by the American Heart Association.
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification.

Preferred Certifications

• Oncology Nursing Society Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Certification (ONS Chemo)

Computer System

• Electronic charting using EPIC.

Background and Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check including FBI and BCI fingerprinting.
• Monthly monitoring through workforce screening systems.
• Verification of nursing education from accredited programs.
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug test within 3 months of start.
• Physical exam within 1 year confirming good health and free of contagious disease.
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • Tdap vaccine (adult dose)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year
  • TB questionnaire
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination or positive titers
  • Hepatitis B titer or vaccine series (declination acceptable)
  • Varicella vaccination or positive titer (medical exemptions reviewed)
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season (mask required if declined)
• Annual acknowledgment of dress code, hand hygiene, ethics, and compliance policies.
• Fraud, waste, and abuse training certificate required prior to start and annually.
• Competency exams including medication/pharmacology and unit-specific competencies.
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required annually (with remediation process if failed).

Orientation & Training

• Unit-specific competency exams required.
• Medication/pharmacology competency exam required prior to start.
• Annual safety manual acknowledgment.
• Ongoing certification renewals as required.

References & Documentation

• Two professional references required; at least one from a manager or formal leadership.
• Employment application and skills checklist required.

Additional Notes

• No prior travel experience required.
• Shift flexibility required due to rotating schedule.
• Emphasis on infection control and patient safety protocols.
• Orientation includes both classroom and hands-on preceptor time.

This position is ideal for experienced RNs with oncology or surgical nursing background seeking a travel contract in a dynamic, high-acuity PCU setting.