PCU Registered Nurse
Kansas City, Missouri
Saint Luke's Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - PCU

Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each, 18:45 - 7:15)
Hours per Week: 36

Job Description

• Position in Progressive Care Unit (PCU) with focus on medical-surgical and telemetry patients.
• Weekend Requirement: 8 weekend shifts within a 6-week schedule period (Friday, Saturday, Sunday combination).
• Floating: Regular floating within scope may be required between departments, units, and facilities.
• Locals accepted within local radius.
• Pending nursing license accepted.
• Return to Office (RTO) restrictions: No more than 7 days.
• Guaranteed minimum hours: 3 shifts per 13 weeks.

Patient Population & Special Requirements

• Primary patients include post-operative bariatric surgery, urology (e.g., TURP, nephrectomy), hepatobiliary (e.g., Whipple procedure), colorectal surgeries, trauma with abdominal injuries, and necrotizing soft tissue infections.
• Pain management primarily via Epidural, PCA, Ketamine drip, and/or lidocaine infusion.
• Patients often have multiple drains and tubes (foley, JP, IR drain, NG tube, chest tubes, G-tube, J-tube, GJ-tube) and require wound vac care.
• Care includes management of continuous bladder irrigation (CBI) and feeding tubes.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Missouri.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in Progressive Care Unit (PCU), with at least some experience within the last year.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification.

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Government-issued ID required.
• Criminal background check within 6 months, including statewide and nationwide searches.
• Quarterly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks.
• Education verification of highest nursing degree required.
• Professional nursing license primary source verification (Missouri licenses verified via NURSYS).
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, including a comprehensive panel (amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cocaine, opiates, etc.).
• Physical exam within 1 year of start.
• Fit mask (N95) testing required annually.
• Immunizations and titers:

  • Tdap vaccine or declination
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella immunity or vaccination/declination as applicable
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season (Sept 30 - Apr 1).
• Background checks and state-specific searches as required by Missouri regulations.
• Competency exams including medication/pharmacology, dysrhythmia/EKG, and unit-specific skills checklists.
• References: Two professional references required, preferably supervisors within the last year.
• Employment application and unit-specific skills checklist required within 1 year of start.
• Annual completion of facility-specific regulatory compliance education and HIPAA acknowledgement.
• Badge photo and facility badge required prior to start.
• Review and sign facility policies including hand hygiene, dress code, and fingernail policy.

Additional Notes

• Block scheduling is not accommodated.
• Candidates must be able to float within their scope of practice.
• Candidates must complete required orientation and training modules prior to start.
• Candidates must adhere to all facility policies and complete all required documentation timely to maintain compliance.

This position is ideal for experienced PCU/Telemetry RNs comfortable with complex post-surgical and trauma patients requiring advanced nursing skills and critical care competencies.