Corrections Medical-Surgical/Telemetry Registered Nurse
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital

Registered Nurse – MS/Telemetry (Travel/Contract)

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Contract Length: 16 weeks
Shift: Nights, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
Hours per Week: 36

Job Overview

• Work in a locked corrections health unit serving inmates, with access controlled by Corrections Officers (CO).
• Float between Oncology Medical-Surgical (MS) and Progressive Care Unit (PCU) as needed.
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:3 in PCU, 1:4-5 in MS.
• CO-to-inmate ratio: 1:2.
• Shift assignments may rotate between days and nights depending on department needs; schedules reviewed every 4 weeks but are not guaranteed.
• Oncology experience preferred but not required.
• EPIC charting experience is required.
• Medication system used: Pyxis.

Patient Population & Care Focus

• Patients with active oncology diagnoses and treatments (solid tumors, hematology).
• Oncology workup admissions and patients with a history of cancer admitted for other reasons (e.g., surgical procedures, COPD, sepsis, pneumonia).
• Non-oncology diagnoses admitted for similar reasons.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care on Medical-Surgical and Telemetry units within a secure corrections environment.
• Ensure staff safety in a corrections setting.
• Support interdisciplinary teams including pharmacy, physical therapy, radiology, respiratory services, social services, and rapid response teams.
• Provide interpretation services as needed.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Medical-Surgical and Telemetry nursing skills.
• Cardiac monitoring and dysrhythmia interpretation and management.
• Unit-based telemetry monitoring.
• IV insulin protocols and endocrine/metabolic care.
• Feeding tube care and management.
• Pre/post hemodialysis and renal failure management.
• IV therapy including blood product administration, central/peripheral line and PICC line care, and IV starts.
• Management of heparin protocols, cardiac drips (no titration), and PCA (Patient-Controlled Analgesia).
• Respiratory care including CPAP/BIPAP, High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC), ABG interpretation, oxygen delivery devices, non-invasive airway management, and tracheostomy care.

Required Certifications & Licenses

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license valid in Ohio.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (AHA Instructor/Provider or RQI accepted; letter of completion not accepted).
• EPIC charting experience required.

Experience Requirements

• Specialty: Registered Nurse (Medical-Surgical/Telemetry).
• Oncology experience preferred but not mandatory.
• No explicit years of experience stated; assume standard RN competency in specialty.
• Prior travel experience is not required.

Background & Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, including FBI and BCI fingerprinting with specific Ohio codes.
• Background checks include SS trace, counties lived/worked, nationwide search, sex offender registry, and motor vehicle record if driving is required.
• Fingerprinting must be completed within 1 year of start; new fingerprinting required if break in service exceeds 90 days.
• Pending background check attestation required if fingerprint results are pending at start.
• Education verification: Graduate of an accredited nursing program (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA).
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start (includes amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine, opiates, etc.).
• Physical exam within 1 year confirming good health and free of contagious disease.
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • Tdap (adult dose after age 11/12)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year (or TB questionnaire)
  • MMR (2 vaccines or positive titers for measles, mumps, rubella)
  • Varicella (2 vaccines or positive titer)
  • Hepatitis B titer or 3-vaccine series (declination accepted)
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season (10/1–3/31)
• Fit mask test required annually for inpatient/patient-facing roles starting 7/13/2026 (N95 or equivalent).
• Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training certificate required prior to start and updated annually.
• Ethics and compliance policies must be reviewed and acknowledged annually.

Competency Exams & Additional Training

• Medication test/pharmacology competency exam required prior to start.
• Unit-specific competency exam required.
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 1 year of start and updated annually (minimum passing score 76%).
• Orientation safety manual acknowledgement required annually.
• License verification and NURSYS verification required within 30 days of start.
• NIH Stroke certification may be required depending on unit (verify if applicable).

References & Documentation

• Two professional references required; at least one must be from a manager or formal leadership (charge RN acceptable as second reference).
• Employment application required including education details.
• Skills checklist required.

Work Environment & Additional Notes

• Work in a secure corrections health unit with controlled access and safety protocols.
• Shift flexibility includes potential rotation between day and night shifts.
• Weekend shifts vary based on unit needs.
• Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and rapid response.

Requirements / Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio.
• Minimum of 1 year of Medical-Surgical and Telemetry nursing experience within the last year.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Experience with EPIC electronic health record system.