Progressive Care Unit (PCU) Registered Nurse
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital

Registered Nurse - PCU (Travel/Contract)

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Contract Length: 16 weeks

Unit & Patient Care Information

• Medical Oncology with progressive care beds and some pediatric patients (pediatric patients are rare; pediatric experience not required).
• High acuity Progressive Care Unit (PCU) with some med-surg patients.
• Unit has 36 beds, with over 24 beds dedicated to PCU level of care.
• Patient diagnoses include Solid Tumor, Orthopedic Oncology, and Thoracic Oncology.
• Staffing ratios:

  • Med Surg Telemetry: 1:4-5
  • PCU: 1:3
• Required to float within units of equivalent or lower acuity.
• Heavy focus on infection prevention protocols and patient falls.

Schedule & Orientation

• Self-scheduling requests are accepted before final schedule posting.
• Orientation:

  • Week 1: Monday to Friday, dayshift orientation.
  • Week 2: 36 hours of on-unit orientation with a preceptor.
• Shift: 12-hour day/night rotating shifts; assignments reviewed every 4 weeks but subject to staffing needs.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio
• Minimum 1 year of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience, with PCU experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• Certifications required:

  • Basic Life Support (BLS) issued by American Heart Association
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) issued by American Heart Association
  • NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Experience in:

  • Interpretation of dysrhythmias
  • Use of rapid response teams
  • Accessing ports
  • Blood product administration
  • Central line care and management
  • PICC line management
  • Managing cardiac drips without titration
  • PCA pump management
  • Titration of cardiac drips
  • Chest tube management

Skills Required

• Interpretation of dysrhythmias
• Use of rapid response teams
• Feeding tube care and management
• Accessing ports
• Blood product administration
• Central line 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

Preferred Skills

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

Background & Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, including FBI and BCI fingerprinting.
• Education verification from accredited nursing programs required.
• Monthly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG monitoring.
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start (includes amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine, opiates, etc.).
• Physical exam within 1 year of start confirming good health and free of contagious disease.
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (adult dose after age 11/12)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year
  • TB questionnaire
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccines or positive titers
  • Hepatitis B titer or vaccine series (declination acceptable)
  • Varicella vaccines or positive titer (medical exemption requires documentation)
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season (10/1 - 3/31)
• Annual review and acknowledgment of dress code, hand hygiene, ethics, and compliance policies.
• Competency exams required including medication/pharmacology, unit-specific competencies, and dysrhythmia/EKG exam (must be updated annually).

References & Documentation

• Two professional references required; at least one must be from a manager or formal leadership.
• Employment application and skills checklist required.

Benefits & Additional Information

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

This position is ideal for RNs with PCU experience seeking a travel/contract role in a high-acuity oncology progressive care setting. Oncology experience is preferred but not mandatory. Prior travel experience is a plus.