IMU Stepdown RN
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling Hospital

Registered Nurse (RN) - Intermediate Care Unit (IMU)

Location: Wheeling, West Virginia
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit Details

• Unit: Intermediate Care Unit (IMU)
• Beds: 30 (14 Private & 16 Semi-private)
• Patient Ratios: Goal 1:4; typically 1:5; occasionally 1:6
• EMR System: Sunrise
• Shift Length: 12-hour shifts (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM)
• Shift Start Time: Must be ready on unit by 6:45 AM/PM
• Self-scheduling: Allowed with 4 requested days off per month
• Floating: Required to float as needed to Telemetry or MedSurg units (ratios up to 1:6, possibly 1:7 in MedSurg)

Patient Population / Common Diagnoses

• Chest pain, rule out MI
• Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
• Arrhythmias
• Post pacemaker patients
• Pre/post cardiac catheterizations (manage radial bands & remove, but do not pull sheaths)
• Groin checks
• Overflow patients requiring intermediate care acuity
• Patients on Tikosyn therapy
• Rarely chest tubes

Certifications & Skills Required

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)
• Ability to read and interpret telemetry strips (Tele Techs available, but RN must interpret own strips)
• Ability to titrate drips including: Amiodarone, Cardizem, Dopamine, Dobutamine, Labetalol, Nitro, Heparin, occasionally Lasix

Staffing & Support

• Charge nurses take full patient assignments on both day and night shifts
• Clinical Assistants work alongside nurses (2 twelve-hour shifts on floor with patient assignments, 2 eight-hour shifts in office)
• 2-3 CNAs per shift with ratios of 1:10-12
• Respiratory Therapists (RT) manage all respiratory equipment (AirVo high flow, Respironics BiPAP) and are in-house 24/7
• Hospitalists in-house 24/7; Intensivists in ICU 24/7; Residents in-house 24/7
• IV team available 24/7, including PICC/Midline team; IV team performs all IV starts
• Pharmacy available 24/7 with Pyxis system

Work Schedule & Requirements

• Weekend shifts include Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
• 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; no true straight day shifts without night shifts (minimum 3 night shifts per 4 weeks required)
• Holiday work may be required but is typically covered by permanent staff

Orientation

• Day 1: Approximately 4 hours with HR, then 8 hours on unit with preceptor
• Day 2: On unit with preceptor
• After orientation, nurse works independently

Dress Code

• Navy blue scrubs (top & bottom) and navy scrub jackets
• No hoodies allowed

Required Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (RN) license valid in West Virginia
• BLS, ACLS, NIHSS certifications
• Experience in intermediate care or telemetry nursing preferred

Additional Notes

• Must provide a copy of an unexpired driver’s license with submission
• Any licensing issues must be disclosed at time of submission