PCU Registered Nurse
Kansas City, Missouri
Saint Luke's Hospital

Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Details

• Unit: Progressive Care Unit (PCU)
• Patient Ratios: Typically 1:4; may flex to 1:6 occasionally (travelers expected to take extra patients)
• Experience Required: Minimum 2 years in specialty with strong ventilator experience
• First-Time Travelers: Accepted
• Weekend Shifts: 8 weekend shifts required per 6-week schedule period (Friday/Saturday/Sunday combination)
• On-Call: Not required
• Floating: Regular floating within scope between departments, units, and facilities may be required
• Block Scheduling: Not accommodated
• Local Candidates: Not accepted (must live at least 75 miles from facility)
• Pending License: Not accepted
• Return to Office (RTO) Restrictions: No more than 7 days
• Guaranteed Hours: 3 shifts per 13 weeks (cancelled shifts must be regular shift length)

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• NIH Stroke Certification (NIHSS)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• Other unit-specific certifications may apply (refer to unit descriptions)

Required Skills & Competencies

• Work Settings: Medical-Surgical/Telemetry, Telemetry, Cardiac Telemetry
• Cardiac Monitoring & Emergency Response:

  • Interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
  • Telemetry monitoring on unit
• Gastrointestinal: Feeding tube care and management
• Genitourinary/Renal: Pre/Post Hemodialysis management, renal failure care
• IV Therapy/Phlebotomy:

  • Accessing ports
  • Blood product administration
  • Central line, peripheral line, PICC line care/management
  • Starting IVs
• Medications:

  • Heparin protocols
  • Manage cardiac drips (no titration)
  • PCA (Patient Controlled Analgesia)
  • Titrate cardiac drips
• Neurological/Psychiatric: Care for CVA and traumatic brain injury patients
• Respiratory:

  • Care of ventilated patients
  • Chest tubes (Emerson/Pleur-evac)
  • External CPAP/BIPAP
  • High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC)
  • Interpretation of ABGs
  • Nasal cannula, oxygen face masks
  • Non-invasive airway management
  • Tracheostomy management
• Professional Topics: Isolation precautions

Patient Population & Special Procedures

• Pulmonary stepdown, intermediate care
• Ventilated trach patients
• COPD and pulmonary patients
• Use of Airvo, BiPAP, CPAP, pulmonary valve placement
• Respiratory treatments for high acuity patients
• Special procedures include endobronchial valves and ventilators

Facility & Work Environment

• Tertiary care hospital
• 5-time Magnet Recognition Award winner
• Level 1 Trauma Center
• Charting system: Epic
• Scrub color: Navy
• Free parking

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Government-issued ID required
• Criminal background check within 6 months (7-year search including statewide, nationwide, and international if applicable)
• Quarterly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks
• Education verification of highest nursing degree required
• State-specific background checks and registries as applicable
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, must include full panel and be valid throughout assignment
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Fit mask testing (N95) required and must be renewed annually
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Tdap (or declination)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray (2-step PPD or equivalent)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella immunity or vaccination/declination
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption during flu season
• Facility-specific documents including HIPAA acknowledgement, confidentiality form, latex allergy questionnaire, hand hygiene, fingernail, and dress code policies
• Orientation modules required prior to start (approx. 16 hours)
• Competency exams including medication/pharmacology, dysrhythmia/EKG, and unit-specific competency exams (updated annually)
• References: Two professional references required (supervisors preferred)

Additional Notes

• Floating between units and departments is expected as needed
• No on-call duties
• Must be willing to work required weekend shifts
• Local candidates not accepted; must reside at least 75 miles away
• Pending licenses are not accepted for this assignment

This position is ideal for experienced RNs with strong ventilator and telemetry skills looking for a travel contract in a high-acuity, tertiary care setting with a reputable Magnet-recognized hospital.