Med Surg/Telemetry RN
Columbia, South Carolina
Palmetto Health Richland

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - MS/Telemetry

Location

• Columbia, South Carolina

Employment Type

• Travel/Contract

Contract Length

• 13 weeks

Unit and Floating Information

• Primary unit: Medical-Surgical Orthopedics (Med Surg Ortho)
• Will float to Medical-Surgical Telemetry (MS/Tele) units as needed
• Floating limited to qualified areas with documented competencies

Schedule

• Shift: Day shift, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 AM - 7:30 PM)
• Total hours per week: 36

Required Experience

• Minimum 1 year recent experience in Medical-Surgical Telemetry or Orthopedics within a large healthcare facility
• Strong Orthopedics experience required
• Charge nurse experience required
• At least 1 year experience with Epic EMR

Required Certifications and Licenses

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license valid in South Carolina, with primary source verification and no pending actions
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification (AHA or ARC; RQI acceptable), valid at start
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification (AHA or ARC; RQI acceptable), valid at start
• Must complete an EKG exam during onboarding and pass arrhythmia testing prior to start
• Pass/Fail Testing: Medication and Arrhythmia tests required for MS/Tele units; passing score 84%, two attempts allowed
• Other certifications may be required depending on unit assignment (e.g., TNCC, ENPC, NIH Stroke Certification) — check unit specifics

Onboarding and Training

• Must complete online orientation modules within 72 hours of assignment; modules include Core Parts I, II, and III covering universal precautions, cultural diversity, pain management, OSHA, and patient safety goals
• Pre-assignment testing (medication and EKG/arrhythmia) must be completed within 72 hours of receiving login information; two attempts allowed, no remediation
• EKG practice test and study guide provided for preparation
• Floating policy acknowledgment required annually

Documentation and Compliance Requirements

• Proof of identity: Driver’s license or state ID required ASAP for computer access and must be carried on duty
• Background check: 7-year history within 12 months of start, including SS trace, aliases, state and county searches for all states/counties lived or worked in last 7 years
• Federal and state sanction checks (EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG) required within 30 days of start and every 30 days thereafter
• Physical exam within 1 year attesting ability to meet physical demands; no chiropractor statements accepted
• Immunizations and health screenings required:

  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 90 days of start (True 2-step PPD, QF Gold, or Tspot)
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine within last 10 years if working/floating to high-risk areas
  • Flu vaccine or approved exemption required annually (not required for remote workers)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella: Positive titer or 2 vaccines required; second vaccine can be pending if collected within 28 days of first
  • Hepatitis B vaccination series, positive titer, or signed declination required
• Drug screening: 5-panel drug screen within 1 year of start, updated annually
• Respirator fit test completed onsite during orientation (N95 masks commonly used)
• Badge photo required prior to start with specific background and quality requirements

Additional Requirements

• Must complete medication competency exam annually
• Color blindness testing required if assigned to Emergency Department or Pediatric ER
• Core competency exams and annual training required, including universal precautions, cultural diversity, pain management, harassment, fire safety, and ethical aspects of care
• Acknowledgment of pass/fail testing required for EKG and medication exams
• Floating policy and contractor acknowledgment forms must be signed and uploaded
• Prior travel experience is not explicitly required for this position

Facility Highlights

• Regional teaching medical center with Level I Adult and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center designations
• 641 licensed beds
• Advanced specialty programs including cardiac care, stroke, and vascular services
• Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) unit focused on mobility and recovery for patients 65+

This position is ideal for experienced RNs with strong Med Surg Ortho and Telemetry skills, who are comfortable floating between units and completing required certifications and testing.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in South Carolina
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Minimum 1 year of recent experience in Medical-Surgical Telemetry or Medical-Surgical units within the last year
• Strong Orthopedics experience
• Experience in charge nurse roles
• Experience with Epic Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system