ER Holding Registered Nurse
San Diego, California
UC San Diego Float Pool

Job Opportunity: ER Holding Registered Nurse

Location: San Diego, California
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each; 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Weekend block schedule.
• Work in the ER holding unit with ICU patients, functioning within the ER unit.
• Must be open to floating between multiple campuses and ICU units system-wide depending on census.
• Patient population includes ED inpatients requiring ICU-level care: cardiac, LVAD, pulmonary hypertension, cancer, respiratory, surgical, and transplant patients.
• Documentation system used: EPIC.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in California.
• Minimum 2 years of Emergency Department (ED) experience, including experience within the last year.
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU) experience.
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing.
• Skills and experience with arterial lines (A-lines) and phlebotomy.
• Certifications:

  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) issued by the American Heart Association.
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) issued by the American Heart Association.
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
  • NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS).

Additional Requirements

• Must pass a comprehensive background check including criminal, sexual offender, national databases, and DMV check if driving is required.
• Drug screening: 9-panel drug screen within 30 days of start.
• Physical exam within 1 year of start, updated if break in service exceeds 30 days.
• Fit mask test (N95 or equivalent) required and must be updated annually.
• Immunizations and health screenings:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap within 10 years or titer with declination and masking if vaccine refused.
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 3 months of start.
  • Annual TB questionnaire.
  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella: Positive titer or 2 vaccines required.
  • Hepatitis B: Proof of vaccination and/or positive titer or signed declination.
  • Varicella: Positive titer or 2 vaccines required.
  • Seasonal flu vaccine strongly preferred during flu season (Nov 1 – Mar 31) or declination forms required.
  • COVID-19 vaccine (current, including bivalent) or signed declination required as of March 2025.
• References: Two professional references from leadership roles within the past 2 years in the specialty required before start.

Floating and Work Environment

• Must be willing to float to various ICU units across multiple campuses if census permits.
• Work involves critically ill patients requiring advanced ICU nursing skills within an ER setting.

Documentation and Compliance

• Must comply with all required background checks and monthly re-runs of certain federal exclusion lists.
• Must complete all required orientation and facility-specific modules prior to or shortly after start.
• Must maintain all certifications and health requirements throughout the assignment.

This position is ideal for experienced ICU RNs comfortable working nights in a fast-paced ER holding environment with a diverse critically ill patient population and flexibility to float across multiple ICU units.