Progressive Care Unit RN
Potsdam, New York
Canton-Potsdam Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (PCU) - Travel/Contract

Location: Potsdam, New York
Contract Length: 13 weeks (approximately 3 months)
Employment Type: Travel/Contract

Job Description

• Work on a mixed acuity unit including PCU, MS Telemetry, and MS patients.
• Must have PCU/IMC experience within the last 3 years.
• Patient ratios adjusted by acuity.
• Float requirement: Yes (may float to sister units: West 2, West 3, Observation unit).
• Weekend requirement: Every other weekend.
• Return to Office (RTO): 7 days max.
• Patient diagnoses include PCU and MS Tele, surgical pre/post-op (ENT, general surgery, trauma surgery, ortho surgery), overflow medical diagnosis patients.
• Rare pediatric patients; travelers not assigned pediatric patients unless experienced.

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum 1 year of specialty experience (PCU/IMC experience within last 3 years required).
• Prior travel experience: Not required (1st timers accepted).
• Must live more than 50 miles from the facility (locals not accepted).
• Skills include:

  • MS/Tele, Telemetry, PCU/DOU/IMC/Stepdown
  • Interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
  • Post MI care
  • IV insulin protocols and titration of insulin drips
  • Feeding tube care and management
  • Continuous bladder irrigation
  • Renal failure management
  • Accessing ports, blood product administration
  • Central line and peripheral line care/management, PICC line management
  • Starting IVs, heparin protocols
  • Management of cardiac drips (no titration), PCA, thrombolytic agents, titrate cardiac drips
  • Care for CVA, seizure disorders, substance withdrawal
  • Ortho trauma, peripheral nerve block catheters, total joint replacements, traction, mastectomy
  • 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
  • Isolation precautions, wound care/wound vac

Required Certifications

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)

Preferred Certifications

• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• TCAR (TransCarotid Artery Revascularization)

Unit Details

• Ratios:

  • Days and weekends: 1 nurse to 3-5 patients
  • Nights: 1 nurse to 3-6 patients
• Unit systems: EPIC (electronic medical records), Pyxis (medication dispensing), SBAR (communication tool)
• Orientation: 12 hours

Patient Population

• Mixed acuity PCU and MS Telemetry patients
• Surgical pre and post-op patients (ENT, general surgery, trauma surgery, ortho surgery)
• Overflow medical diagnosis patients
• Rare pediatric patients (only assigned if experienced)

Special Procedures / Equipment

• TCAR preferred
• Mixed acuity unit with telemetry and PCU patients

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Government-issued photo ID required.
• 7-year criminal background check including all aliases.
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start.
• Education verification required for degree related to specialty.
• State license verification (NY) required within 30 days of start.
• NURSYS verification for RN required within 30 days.
• Harassment prevention training certificate (New York) required annually.
• Medication/pharmacology competency exam as required.
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required.
• Photo for badge (passport-style with solid background).
• Review of patient confidentiality, sexual harassment prevention, patient experience training, and other facility-specific policies prior to start.
• Physical exam required within 1 year of start, updated annually.
• Fit mask test required within 1 year, updated annually.
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccination required within 10 years.
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray required within 1 year.
• Immunizations or titers required for Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella.
• Drug testing required within 30 days of start.
• Flu vaccination or signed declination required during flu season.
• Eye exam (Snellen) required within 1 year of start.
• References: 2 professional references required.
• Employment application and skills checklist required.
• 7-year work history verification required.

Additional Notes

• Scrubs: any solid color.
• Locals not accepted; must be more than 50 miles away.
• Float to sister units may be required.
• Travelers without prior travel experience are accepted.
• Strict compliance with expiring health documents; must be current throughout the contract.

This position is ideal for a Registered Nurse with recent PCU/IMC experience looking for a travel contract in a mixed acuity telemetry unit with a variety of patient diagnoses and procedures.