Observation Unit Registered Nurse
Olympia, Washington
Providence Saint Peter Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - Observation Unit (Travel/Contract)

Location

• Olympia, Washington

Position Details

• Role: Observation Registered Nurse (OBS RN)
• Employment Type: Travel/Contract
• Contract Length: 13 weeks
• Shift: 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (Day shift: 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM)
• Patient Ratios:

  • Day: 1:4
  • Night: 1:5
  • Weekends: 1:5
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• Floating: Required; must float regularly between similar units within skill set
• Block Scheduling: Not available
• On-call: Not required
• Local Candidates: Not eligible if residing within 50 miles of the facility
• Start Date: ASAP

Patient Population

• Surgical procedures requiring overnight stays
• Procedural observation patients
• Medical observation patients
• Some medical inpatient and long length of stay patients

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Washington
• Minimum 1 year of experience in Direct Observation Unit (DOU) within the last year
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by American Heart Association or Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation
• Knowledge of NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Compliance and Background Requirements

• Background Check: Within 90 days of start, covering all locations lived/worked in past 7 years; must include SSN trace, death master index, nationwide and county checks, sex offender registry, FACIS Level 3, education verification, and motor vehicle record if applicable
• Education Verification: Required for nursing degree; international education requires diploma/transcript or CES report
• Drug Screen: 9-panel drug screen within 12 months of start; instant tests acceptable
• Physical Exam: Within 1 year of start, signed by MD, NP, PA, or DO; must confirm ability to work with or without accommodation
• Immunizations and Health Documents:

  • Tdap within 10 years (declination accepted)
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 12 months (annual updates required)
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination or positive titer (declination accepted)
  • Hepatitis B vaccination or signed declination
  • Varicella vaccination or positive titer (declination accepted)
  • Seasonal Flu vaccine during flu season or declination
  • COVID vaccination record preferred; declinations accepted with adherence to masking policies
• Respirator Clearance: Required annually for travel candidates; virtual questionnaire reviewed by licensed healthcare professional
• Fit Mask Testing: Required for travel candidates; must be updated annually unless exempted

Training and Competencies

• EPIC Charting system experience required
• Annual completion of regulatory and specialty-specific training modules via LMS (Workramp)
• Medication/Pharmacology competency exams as applicable
• Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) certification or equivalent training if applicable (for L&D RNs only)
• Skills Checklist: Must be current and updated annually

Additional Requirements

• Photo for badge: Passport-style photo with neutral background required
• Floating Policy Acknowledgement: Must agree to float to other similar units or facilities within reasonable distance
• Washington State Specific:

  • WA State Patrol background search within 90 days of start
  • Multi-State Licensed Nurses Demographic Attestation if working with out-of-state compact license

Notes

• No on-call duties currently required
• No accommodation for block scheduling
• Preference to keep return-to-office (RTO) under 7 days
• Locals within 50 miles are not eligible for travel contract
• No pending licenses accepted

This position is ideal for a Registered Nurse with at least 1 year of experience in observation or similar acute care settings, comfortable with floating between units, and able to work a 3x12 day shift schedule including every other weekend. Compliance with comprehensive background, health, and training requirements is mandatory.