PCU Registered Nurse
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital

Registered Nurse - PCU

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 16 weeks

Unit & Patient Information

• Medical Oncology with progressive care beds and some pediatric patients (pediatric experience NOT required).
• High acuity Progressive Care Unit (PCU) with some med-surg patients.
• 36-bed Oncology Telemetry unit; over 24 beds dedicated to PCU level of care.
• Patient diagnoses include Solid Tumor, Orthopedic Oncology, Thoracic Oncology.
• Focus on infection prevention protocols and patient falls.

Schedule

• Self-scheduling requests allowed; final schedule balanced and posted every 4 weeks.
• Orientation:

  • Week 1: Monday to Friday, dayshift.
  • Week 2: 36 hours on-unit orientation with a preceptor.
• 12-hour day/night rotating shifts possible; shift assignments reviewed every 4 weeks but not guaranteed.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Specialty: Registered Nurse (Oncology experience preferred but NOT required).
• Years of Experience: Minimum 2 years oncology experience preferred (not mandatory).
• Prior Travel Experience: Preferred but not required.

Required Certifications

• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• NIH Certification

Patient Care Ratios

• Med Surg Telemetry: 1:4-5
• PCU: 1:3

Required Skills

• Interpretation of dysrhythmias
• Use of rapid response teams
• Feeding tube care and management
• Accessing ports
• Blood product administration
• Central and peripheral line care/management
• PICC line management
• Starting IVs
• Heparin protocols
• Managing cardiac drips (no titration)
• PCA pumps
• Titration of cardiac drips
• Chest tubes (Emerson/Pleur-evac)
• External CPAP/BIPAP
• High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC)
• Interpretation of ABGs
• Nasal cannula use
• Tracheostomy management
• Required to float within units of equivalent or lower acuity level.

Preferred Skills

• Management of dysrhythmias
• IV insulin protocols and titration of insulin drips
• Phlebotomy
• Chemotherapy administration and monitoring
• Wound care/Wound Vac
• Arterial line management
• Surgical drains
• Non-invasive airway management

Equipment Used

• B450 monitors (GE telemetry system)
• Bladder scanner
• Alaris pumps
• Stryker beds
• Continuous bladder irrigation
• PCA pumps

Background & Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, including FBI and BCI fingerprinting.
• Education accreditation confirmation required for nursing degree (must be from accredited nursing programs).
• Ohio BCI & FBI fingerprinting required within 1 year of start; new fingerprinting required if break in service >90 days.
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start (no pending drug screens allowed).
• Various health documents required including physical exam, immunizations (Tdap, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B), TB testing or questionnaire, flu vaccination or declination during flu season.
• Annual competency exams including dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required.
• State license verification required within 30 days of start.
• Professional references: 2 required, at least one from a manager or formal leadership.

Orientation & Training

• Week 1: Monday to Friday, dayshift orientation.
• Week 2: 36 hours on-unit orientation with a preceptor.
• Unit-specific competency exams required prior to start.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Flexible scheduling with self-schedule requests
• Comprehensive benefits package

Note: This position requires high acuity PCU patient experience and adherence to infection prevention protocols.