PCU Registered Nurse
Auburn, New York
Auburn Community Hospital

Job Opportunity: PCU Registered Nurse

Location: Auburn, New York
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Position Overview

• Step-Down/Progressive Care Unit (PCU) Registered Nurse role
• Day shift: 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 AM – 7:30 PM)
• 36 hours guaranteed per week
• Ratio: 1 nurse to 4-5 patients
• No blocked scheduling
• Local candidates accepted

Patient Population & Diagnoses

• Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
• Post heart catheterization and vascular procedures
• Respiratory failure requiring BiPAP, CPAP, or Vapotherm
• Cardiac dysrhythmias

Unit Procedures & Expectations

• Post-heart catheterization care including TR bands
• Post-vascular procedure monitoring
• Frequent vital signs and neurovascular checks

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support) – AHA
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) – AHA
• NIHSS (NIH Stroke Scale Certification)

Required Skills & Competencies

• Cardiac/Emergency: cardiac monitoring, dysrhythmia interpretation and management, 12-lead EKG/ECG
• IV/Vascular: IV start and maintenance, PICC line management, blood product administration
• Medications: emergency medications, procedural sedation administration and monitoring, cardiac drip titration
• Neurological: CVA/acute stroke management
• Respiratory/Thoracic: BiPAP/CPAP management, assist with chest tube insertion/removal
• Professional: infection prevention, isolation precautions/PPE, phlebotomy

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 2+ years of recent Step-Down nursing experience

Licensure

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license for New York State
• Primary source verification required prior to start

Orientation & Testing

• Pass/fail telemetry assessment on first day of orientation (minimum 80% score) covering cardiac rhythm interpretation, arrhythmia recognition, and clinical interventions
• Remediation provided if initial assessment is not passed
• Medication/pharmacology competency exam required

Background & Compliance Requirements

• Background check within 1 year covering all locations lived/worked/schooled in past 7 years
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required prior to start
• Nursys verification prior to start
• Review and sign facility-specific documents including Code of Conduct, Patient Abuse Reporting, Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement, Orientation Packet, and Automated Dispensing Cabinet Security (for Pyxis access)

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 12 months prior to start, signed by licensed provider confirming ability to perform job duties
• Fit mask test within 12 months, updated annually (approved mask types specified)
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine within last 10 years or declination
• Negative TB test (PPD, T-Spot, or QGold) within 1 year or chest x-ray if previously positive, plus annual TB questionnaire
• Immunity or vaccination documentation for Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
• Hepatitis B series, titer, or signed declination
• Varicella immunity or vaccination documentation
• 9-panel drug screen within 30 days of start
• Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season
• COVID vaccine records or declination

Additional Requirements

• Two professional references within 3 years of hire
• Skills checklist required
• Compliance with New York State Nurse Aide Registry and Medicaid Exclusion List requirements

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in New York
• Minimum 2 years of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience, including experience within the last year
• BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
• ACLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
• NIHSS certification
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity for experienced Step-Down RNs skilled in cardiac and respiratory care, with a focus on telemetry and acute stroke management.