Intermediate Care Unit (Stepdown) Registered Nurse
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling Hospital

Registered Nurse (RN) – Intermediate Care Unit (IMU)

Location: Wheeling, West Virginia
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Days
Hours: 12-hour shifts (7:00 AM – 7:00 PM), 36 hours per week

Unit Overview

• Intermediate Care Unit with 30 beds (14 private, 16 semi-private)
• Patient-to-nurse ratio goal: 1:4; typically 1:5, occasionally 1:6
• Telemetry monitors used: Nihon Kohden
• Nurses must be able to read and interpret cardiac strips (Tele Techs available)
• Respiratory equipment managed by Respiratory Therapists (RT) 24/7
• Hospitalist in-house 24/7; Intensivist in ICU 24/7
• IV team available 24/7 for all IV starts, including PICC/Midline team
• Pharmacy services available 24/7 with Pyxis system
• Nurse aides (CNA) support with ratios of 1:10-12
• Floating required to Telemetry or MedSurg units as needed (ratios up to 1:6 or 1:7 in MedSurg)

Patient Population & Care

• Common diagnoses: chest pain, rule out MI, CHF, arrhythmias, post pacemaker, pre/post cardiac catheterizations (manage radial bands, groin checks), Tikosyn therapy patients
• Rarely manage chest tubes
• Responsible for titrating drips including Amiodarone, Cardizem, Dopamine, Dobutamine, Labetalol, Nitro, Heparin, and occasionally Lasix

Scheduling & Work Requirements

• Self-scheduling allowed with 4 requested days off per month
• Weekend shifts defined as Friday, Saturday, Sunday
• Night shift workers must work 4 weekend night shifts per 4-week schedule
• Day shift workers must work 4 weekend day shifts per 4-week schedule and a minimum of 3 night shifts per 4-week schedule (not necessarily on weekends)
• Holiday work may be required but is typically covered by permanent staff
• Charge nurses take full patient assignments on all shifts
• Clinical assistants work alongside nurses with patient assignments and office hours

Orientation

• Day 1: Approximately 4 hours with HR, then 8 hours on unit with preceptor
• Day 2: On unit with preceptor
• After orientation, nurse works independently

Required Certifications & Qualifications

• Current RN license for West Virginia
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) certification
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Must provide a copy of an unexpired driver’s license with application
• Must disclose any licensing issues at time of submission

Dress Code

• Navy blue scrubs (top, bottom, and scrub jackets)
• No hoodies allowed

Additional Notes

• Must be flexible to float between units as needed
• Must be able to titrate multiple drips and interpret telemetry strips independently
• Respiratory equipment and ventilator management handled by RTs, not nurses