PCU Registered Nurse
Anchorage, Alaska
Providence Alaska Medical Center

Job Opportunity: PCU Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Assignment Length: 13 weeks
Start Date: ASAP
Shift: Night Shift, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
Guaranteed Hours: 60 hours per 2 weeks (may be called off for 1 shift per 2 weeks)
Experience Required: Minimum 1 year in specialty
First Time Travelers: Accepted
Local Candidates: Not accepted (must live at least 50 miles from facility)
Pending License: Accepted if able to complete Alaska RN license application within 48 hours of signing; must have Alaska RN license in hand for auto offer

Unit Information

• Stepdown unit from ICU with diverse patient populations across multiple disciplines
• Patient ratios: 1 RN to 4 patients, 1 CNA to 6 patients
• Co-Care/Virtual Nursing Model: bedside RN supported by a virtual RN and CNA
• Virtual RN assists remotely with admissions, discharges, rounding, education, care plans, and safety rounds
• Patient population includes:

  • Cardiac cases (CHF, MI, post-TAVR/MVR, pacemakers, arrhythmias, ACS)
  • Respiratory cases (COVID, flu, COPD, asthma exacerbations, trach patients >24h post-placement, chronic home ventilators, high flow NC, BiPAP)
  • Neurology and renal overflow patients
  • Complex medical-surgical patients requiring higher monitoring (e.g., alcohol withdrawal, GI bleeds)
• Floating required within scope to lower acuity units, renal care, neuro, and medical-surgical units
• Weekend coverage may be more frequent than every other weekend, based on staffing needs
• Block scheduling not accommodated

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)
• Additional certifications as required per unit directives

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Alaska
• Minimum of 1 year of recent PCU (Progressive Care Unit) experience within the last year
• BLS certification issued by American Heart Association or Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation
• ACLS certification
• NIHSS certification
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Required Licenses and Credentials

• Current Alaska RN license required for auto offer
• License pending accepted if application can be submitted within 48 hours of signing
• NURSYS verification required
• Background check within 90 days covering all locations lived/worked in past 7 years, updated annually
• Drug screen (9-panel) within 12 months of start
• Physical exam within 1 year, signed by MD, NP, PA, or DO
• Immunizations and health clearances:

  • TDAP within 10 years (declination accepted)
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 12 months, updated annually
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination or positive titer
  • Hepatitis B vaccination or signed declination (Alaska placements require positive titer and vaccine series)
  • Varicella vaccination or positive titer
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season
  • COVID vaccination record preferred (declinations accepted)
• Respirator medical clearance required annually for travel candidates
• Fit mask testing required for travel candidates (updated annually)

Additional Requirements

• Minimum of 2 professional references covering at least 1 year of employment in a comparable specialty/setting within the last 3 years
• Employment application covering at least last 5 years (7 years for APN/subcontractors) with month/year format for dates
• Skills checklist updated annually as applicable
• Completion of annual regulatory and specialty-specific training modules via LMS (Workramp)
• Photo for badge (passport style with neutral background) required
• Float policy acknowledgement required (may be required to float to other nearby facilities)
• Background checks include multiple federal and state databases, education verification, and may include state-specific searches as applicable

Work Environment and Facility

• Acute hospital, Magnet designated, Level II Trauma center
• 407 staffed beds
• Electronic health record system: Epic
• Scrubs provided
• Free parking available

Notes

• No on-call required
• Time off requests approved individually and must be submitted with application
• Prior travel experience is not required for this assignment

This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to work in a high-acuity stepdown unit with a diverse patient population, supported by a collaborative virtual nursing model. Candidates must be prepared for night shifts and flexible weekend coverage.