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

Job Description

• Work on a mixed acuity surgical oncology unit caring for Progressive Care Unit (PCU) and Medical-Surgical patients.
• Busy surgical floor with a focus on surgical oncology, including breast, thyroid, melanoma, hepatobiliary, colorectal, and reconstructive plastics oncology patients.
• Staffing ratios goal: 1:4, may go up to 1:5.
• Variable weekends based on unit needs.
• Rotating shifts (days, nights, or combination) with schedule reviewed every 4 weeks; changes based on staffing priorities.
• Self-scheduling requests allowed but final schedule balanced by management.
• Orientation: First week Monday-Friday dayshift; second week 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)
  • Plastics (reconstructive breast cancer, sarcoma)

Clinical Responsibilities & Procedures

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

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio
• Minimum 2 years of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience, 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)

Orientation & Competency Requirements

• Unit-specific competency exams required
• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam prior to start
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 1 year of start and updated annually (with remediation process if needed)

Background & Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check including FBI and state fingerprinting (BCI/FBI) required prior to start
• Education accreditation verification from an accredited nursing program (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA)
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start (no pending results allowed)
• Physical exam within 1 year confirming good health and free of contagious disease
• Immunizations and health documentation required:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (adult dose)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year
  • TB questionnaire
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination or positive titer
  • 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)
• Monthly monitoring for exclusion lists (EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG)
• Annual acknowledgment of dress code, hand hygiene, ethics, and compliance policies
• Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training certificate required prior to start and updated annually
• References: 2 professional references required, at least one from a manager or formal leadership

Additional Notes

• Shift assignments may vary; flexibility required.
• Orientation includes both classroom and hands-on preceptor time.
• Strong infection control and patient safety focus.
• Computerized charting system used: EPIC.

This position is ideal for experienced Registered Nurses with oncology or surgical care experience seeking a travel contract role in a high-acuity PCU setting.