Job info

Registered Nurse: PCU / Stepdown

Location: Randallstown, Maryland Employment type: Travel/Contract Contract length: 14 weeks Shift: Night (3x12 hours), 19:00 to 07:30 Hours: 12 per day, 36 per week Scrubs: Navy blue, provided

Unit Overview

40-bed PCU/Stepdown unit, Stroke Certified
Average daily census of about 36 patients
Adult and geriatric patients
Common diagnoses: CHF, COPD, MI, sepsis, pneumonia, GI bleed, alcohol withdrawal, renal failure, stroke, and altered mental status
Receives patients from the Emergency Department, ICU/CU step-downs, non-telemetry units, and direct admissions
Telemetry RNs are responsible for interpreting and documenting rhythms
Staffing ratios: typical 1:4, may be asked to take 1:5 based on acuity and downgrades

Float Expectations

Floating is required based on hospital needs
May float to non-telemetry Med-Surg units at a 1:6 ratio

Requirements

Valid RN license in Maryland
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) / Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience: 2 years
PCU experience within the last year
Med-Surg / Telemetry experience
Experience working with cardiac patients
Experience with cardiac drips
Strong EKG experience
Chest tube management with Emerson/Pleur-Evac
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association or RQI
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association or RQI
NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification

Procedures and Equipment

Procedures: peritoneal dialysis, telemetry interpretation and rhythm documentation, non-titratable drips (amiodarone, diltiazem/Cardizem, Lasix), heparin drip protocol, and Code Team response as recorder and timekeeper
Equipment: peritoneal dialysis system and portable telemetry monitoring

Competencies

Dysrhythmia/EKG exam: Basic or Advanced per unit description; required for any RN who needs ACLS. Only vendor-approved exams are accepted, and an onsite exam is also required.
Passing criteria: 80% overall, and 100% on the Lethal Rhythms section
Maximum 2 attempts, with remediation required before each retake
Medication test/pharmacology competency exam (RN)
Unit-specific competency exam

Scheduling and Policies

Every other weekend is required
Block schedule is not accepted
First-time travelers are accepted
Local candidates are accepted
Time off: the system auto-approves up to 14 days of RTO; every other winter and summer holiday is required with no RTO approved; no RTO on hard-to-fill days such as Easter, Mother's Day, and Father's Day

Onboarding Requirements

Background: check within 6 months of start covering 7 years, updated annually; HHS/OIG and EPLS/GSA/SAM required; education verification required
Drug screen: negative 9-panel within 30 days of start
Physical exam: completed within 1 year of start, stating the candidate can meet essential physical job functions
TB: negative PPD, GOLD, or TSPOT within 1 year; TB questionnaire updated annually
Immunizations: MMR (2 vaccines or positive titer), Hepatitis B (titer, series, or signed declination), and varicella (2 vaccines or positive titer)
Flu vaccine or medical/religious exemption required during flu season (10/01 to 03/31)
Fit test: completed onsite; PAPR training is provided if the candidate fails
References: 2 professional references within 2 years of start
Work history verification: 2 workplaces within the last 7 years
Other: badge photo, employment application, unit-specific skills checklist, signed parking registration, attendance policy, floating policy, and time and attendance policy