Stepdown RN
Florence, South Carolina
Carolinas Hospital System

Job Opportunity: Stepdown Registered Nurse (RN)

Location: Florence, South Carolina
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Position Details

• Specialty: Stepdown RN
• Shift: 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (Nights, 7 PM - 7 AM)
• Patient Ratio: 1:4
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• On-call: No
• Floating: Yes, must float within scope to like units/sister facilities as needed

Experience & Licensing Requirements

• Years of Experience Required: 1 year in specialty
• Prior Travel Experience: Required (first-time travelers NOT accepted)
• Licensure: South Carolina RN license or Compact license must be active prior to start
• Certifications Required:

  • ACLS (AHA or ARC only)
  • BLS (AHA or ARC only)
• Preferred Certifications: NIH Stroke Certification (NIHSS)

Scheduling & Work Conditions

• Block Schedule: May request approval prior to assignment (not guaranteed)
• Local Radius: 60 miles
• Locals Accepted: No
• Guaranteed Hours: Facility may call off 1 shift every 2 weeks
• Hurricane Season: Travelers may be assigned to emergency response teams during June-November (peak in August-September)

Facility & Work Environment

• Charting System: Epic
• Scrub Color: Royal Blue
• Parking: Free

Required Documentation & Compliance

• Background Checks:

  • Annual background check covering last 7 years
  • Includes SSN trace, state and national criminal checks, sex offender registry, FACIS 3, and international searches
  • EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks within 30 days of start and updated for renewals
• Education Verification: Not required for this facility, but diploma/transcripts preferred as placeholder if needed
• Licensure Verification: Primary source verification required; SC RN license processing times vary (3-5 weeks for permanent, 24-48 hours for walk-through/temp license)
• NURSYS Verification: Required for all RNs
• Drug Testing: 10-panel drug screen within 90 days of start (no instant tests)
• Physical Exam: Initial and annual physical attesting ability to meet job demands
• Immunizations & Health Requirements:

  • Tdap within 10 years or declination form
  • Negative TB test (T-spot or Q-Gold within 90 days) or chest x-ray if positive
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella: Positive titer or 2 vaccines (boosters if low titer)
  • Hepatitis B: Titer, vaccine series, or declination
  • Varicella: Positive titer or 2 vaccines (boosters if low titer)
  • Flu Vaccine: Required during flu season (Aug 1 - Apr 30); medical/religious exemptions accepted but no declinations
  • COVID Vaccines: Not required but highly preferred; declination form required if not vaccinated
• Respirator Clearance: Annual medical clearance required for patient-facing travelers
• Radiation Badge: Required only for OR, Cath Lab, EP Lab, Radiology travelers (not required for this Stepdown RN role)

Orientation & Facility Specifics

• Orientation Modules: Must be completed prior to start; estimated 4 hours for Florence location
• Photo for Badge: Passport-style photo required
• Acknowledgments & Agreements: Must sign assignment acknowledgment, code of conduct, confidentiality agreements, HR policy manual, systems user agreement, and user access request prior to start
• References: Proof of 2 clinical references required
• Performance Evaluation: Must be dated within 12 months of start
• Skills Checklist: Must be updated annually

Additional Notes

• Floating expectations are the same as current staff nurses, with agency staff floating first.
• No locals accepted for this travel assignment.
• Facility allows calling off 1 shift every 2 weeks.
• Travelers should be prepared for possible emergency response duties during hurricane season.

This position is ideal for experienced Stepdown RNs with prior travel experience who hold the necessary South Carolina licensure and certifications, and who are comfortable working night shifts with a 1:4 patient ratio in a fast-paced hospital environment.