IMU (Stepdown) Registered Nurse
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling Hospital

Registered Nurse - Intermediate Care Unit (IMU)

Location: Wheeling, West Virginia
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit Details

• Unit Type: Intermediate Care Unit (IMU)
• Beds: 30 total (14 private, 16 semi-private)
• Patient Ratios: Goal 1:4; typically 1:5; occasionally up to 1:6
• EMR System: Sunrise
• Charge Nurse: Takes full patient assignment on day & night shifts
• Clinical Assistants: Work 2 twelve-hour shifts (with patient assignment) and 2 eight-hour shifts in office
• Nurse Aides: Usually 2-3 CNAs with ratios of 1:10-12
• Floating: Required to float as needed to Telemetry or MedSurg units (ratios up to 1:6, rarely 1:7 in MedSurg)

Shift & Scheduling

• Shift Length: 12 hours (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM)
• Shift Type: Days (self-scheduling allowed with 4 requested days off per month)
• Weekend Requirement:

  • Fri/Sat/Sun considered weekend shifts
  • Night shift nurses must work 4 weekend night shifts per 4-week schedule
  • Day shift nurses must work 4 weekend day shifts per 4-week schedule but must also work minimum 3 night shifts per 4-week schedule (not necessarily on weekends)
  • Only night shift is considered a straight shift
• Holidays: Flexibility required but holiday coverage usually handled by permanent staff

Patient Care & Responsibilities

• Common Diagnoses: Chest pain, rule out MI, CHF, arrhythmias, post pacemaker, pre/post cardiac catheterizations (manage radial bands and groin checks), Tikosyn therapy patients, and other intermediate care acuity patients
• Chest tubes: Rarely managed on this unit
• Telemetry: Nihon Kohden monitors used; RNs must read and interpret cardiac strips (Tele Techs available but RN responsibility remains)
• Drip Management: RNs must titrate Amiodarone, Cardizem, Dopamine, Dobutamine, Labetolol, Nitro, Heparin, and occasionally Lasix
• Ventilators: Managed by Respiratory Therapists (RT) only (equipment includes AirVo high flow and Respironics BiPAP)
• IV Starts: Performed exclusively by IV team (available 24/7)
• Support Services:

  • Hospitalist in-house 24/7
  • Intensivist in ICU 24/7
  • Residents in-house 24/7
  • Respiratory Therapy 24/7
  • Pharmacy 24/7 with Pyxis system

Orientation

• Day 1: Approximately 4 hours with HR, then 8 hours on unit with preceptor
• Day 2: On unit with preceptor
• After Day 2: Independent practice

Required Certifications & Licenses

• Current RN license for West Virginia
• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) certification
• Must provide a copy of an unexpired driver’s license with submission
• Any licensing issues must be disclosed at time of submission

Dress Code

• Scrubs: Navy blue top and bottom, navy scrub jackets
• No hoodies allowed

Additional Notes

• Must comply with a 50-mile radius rule for candidate submissions
• Flexibility to work holidays as needed
• Prior travel experience is not explicitly required for this position

Hours

• 12-hour shifts, approximately 36 hours per week