Progressive Care (Step-Down) RN
St. Louis, Missouri
Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
Specialty: Registered Nurse
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Details

• Unit: DOU/Step-Down (Progressive Care Unit/Stepdown and floor side)
• Start Date: Approximately 3-4 weeks out (per compliance tier)
• Patient Ratios:

  • PCU: 2-3 patients per nurse
  • Floor: Usually 4 patients, can be up to 5
• Floating: Nurses may float within scope to meet facility needs (can work on either PCU or floor)
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• Block Schedule: Not accommodated
• Locals Accepted: No (home address must be at least 75 miles from facility)
• Pending License Accepted: Yes
• Guaranteed Hours: Yes
• Return to Office (RTO) Restrictions: No more than 7 days of RTO per 13-week contract

Experience & Certifications

• Required Years of Experience: 2 years in specialty
• First-Time Travelers: Accepted
• Prior Travel Experience: Not explicitly required
• Required Certifications:

  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
  • BLS (Basic Life Support)
• Special Skills Required:

  • Interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
  • Telemetry monitoring
  • Management and titration of cardiac drips
  • Chest tube care

Facility Highlights

• Type: Short Term Acute Care
• Designation: Magnet & Teaching Hospital, Level I Trauma Center
• Total Staffed Beds: 1,266
• Charting System: EPIC
• Scrub Color: Navy Blue

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

Background Checks

• Criminal background check within 6 months (7-year search including statewide and nationwide)
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks (quarterly)
• Education verification of highest nursing degree
• State-specific searches and registries as applicable

Certifications Verification

• Primary source verification of professional nursing license (Missouri licenses verified via NURSYS)
• ACLS and BLS certifications (AHA only)
• Additional certifications may be required depending on unit (e.g., PALS, NRP, TNCC, CPI/MAB)

Competency Exams

• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam as applicable
• Unit-specific competency exam (updated annually)
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 1 year of start and updated annually

Health Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Fit mask testing (N95 respirators) annually
• Immunizations and titers:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (every 10 years)
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray (with yearly questionnaire)
  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (vaccines or immunity documentation)
  • Hepatitis B declination form required (not vaccine)
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption (required during flu season)
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, must remain valid throughout assignment

Facility-Specific Documents

• HIPAA Acknowledgement (annual)
• Latex Allergy Questionnaire (annual)
• Confidentiality Form (annual)
• Regulatory Compliance Education (annual, via WorkRamp)
• Hand Hygiene, Fingernail, and Dress Code Policies (must review and sign prior to start)
• Orientation Modules (required for all RNs and LVNs, approx. 16 hours, completed prior to start)
• Badge photo (head and shoulders, white background, no obstructions)

Other Requirements

• Two professional references required (supervisors preferred)
• Employment application must be completed and uploaded
• Unit-specific skills checklist within 1 year of start

Additional Notes

• Nurses must be prepared to manage cardiac patients with telemetry and advanced cardiac care skills.
• Floating between PCU and floor is expected.
• No on-call requirement.
• Parking available with fees; free parking for straight night shifts.
• Strict compliance with facility policies and documentation is mandatory for clearance and continued assignment.

This position is ideal for a Registered Nurse with at least 2 years of experience in acute care, comfortable with telemetry and cardiac care, and willing to commit to a 13-week travel contract in Saint Louis, Missouri. First-time travelers are welcome.