Med Surg / Telemetry RN
South Charleston, West Virginia
Thomas Memorial Hospital

RN (Registered Nurse): Pulmonary & Observation

Location: South Charleston, West Virginia Unit: Pulmonary & Observation, 32 beds Contract Length: 13 weeks Shift: Nights, 3 x 12-hour shifts (36 hours/week) Shift Times: 6:45 pm to 7:15 am

Required Qualifications

• BLS and ACLS certifications
• Med-Surg, Telemetry, critical drips, and trach care experience
• Previous travel experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Peritoneal dialysis experience
• Med-Surg or Telemetry nurses with a strong cardiac background

Patient Population

• Respiratory diagnoses, medical conditions
• Adult and geriatric patients
• Tracheostomy patients (not on ventilators)
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:6

Clinical Responsibilities

• RNs must titrate drips. Common titratable or set-rate drips include heparin, Cardizem (up to 15 mg/hr only), Lasix, dopamine (low-dose renal perfusion only), and amiodarone.
• Monitor techs are on the unit 24/7. Charge RNs read strips, and RNs must review strips each shift.
• Respiratory therapy handles CPAP, BiPAP, high-flow O2, ventilator maintenance, and specialty beds. RNs perform trach care, and trachs are only on trach collar or room air.
• Nurse aide ratios: 1:10 (7 am to 7 pm) and 1:15 (7 pm to 7 am).

Charge Nurse and Float Expectations

• Charge nurse role with a modified patient assignment, usually 2 patients. Travelers may be asked to fill the charge nurse role and would be cross-trained if willing and interested.
• If not needed on 3 Pavilion, RNs must float to the 4 or 5 Med-Surg units or the Emergency Department to care for boarded patients. The float pool floats first, then staff enter the rotation.

Scheduling

• Director or floor manager handles scheduling. Block scheduling is allowed if unit needs are met, and requests are considered.
• Weekends: every other weekend on a set rotation (weekends 1 and 3, or 2 and 4).
• Holidays: rotated with core staff, and holidays differ from the prior year.

Orientation

• First day: general hospital orientation
• Full day of nursing orientation for RNs and LPNs
• Computer training (full day for nurses)
• Two 12-hour orientation shifts with a preceptor
• Abbreviated initial skills checklist due 90 days from start date

Dress Code

• RN/LPN scrubs: navy, solid color only, no embroidery or patterns
• Solid color fleece zip-ups in grey, black, navy, or royal blue
• Solid undershirts in white, grey, or black, matching the scrub top
• Closed-toe shoes only; no Crocs