Medical-Surgical Telemetry Registered Nurse
Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette General Medical Center

Registered Nurse – MS/Telemetry (Night Shift) – Lafayette, Louisiana

Job Details

• Employment Type: Travel/Contract
• Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each; 18:45 – 7:15)
• Hours per Week: 36
• Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit and Patient Care Information

• Unit includes Medical Telemetry, Post Catheterization, and Cardiac drip management.
• Patient diagnoses commonly encountered:

  • Chest pain, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
  • COPD exacerbations, COVID-19 positive, Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), Stroke
  • Hypertension, Atrial Fibrillation, Atrial Flutter, Bradycardia, Tachycardia
  • Wound infections, cellulitis, gastrointestinal bleeding
• Special procedures and unit details:

  • Pre- and post-angiogram/angioplasty (no sheath pulls)
  • Pacemaker (PPM)/Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (AICD) management
  • LINQ recorder monitoring
  • General surgical procedures including EGD, colonoscopy, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, wound debridement
  • Chest tube management, central line catheter insertions, thoracentesis, paracentesis
• Special equipment used:

  • Telemetry monitoring, chest tubes, wound vacuums

Job Expectations

• Upon assignment acceptance, may be required to join an Emergency Team during events, staying onsite until the event passes or serving as relief.
• Must be comfortable with emergency event assignments as directed by unit management.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Louisiana
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Minimum 2 years of Medical-Surgical/Telemetry nursing experience
• Medical-Surgical/Telemetry nursing experience within the last year
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification (preferred).

Compliance and Documentation Requirements

• Current/valid Driver’s License or government photo ID (color copy required).
• Background checks including 7-year criminal history, EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG, sex offender search, and education verification as applicable.
• License verification and NURSYS verification within 30 days of start.
• Physical exam within 12 months indicating good health.
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 60 days of start.
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella: positive IGG titer or completed vaccine series.
  • Hepatitis B: positive surface antibody/IGG titer, completed vaccine series, or booster after negative titer.
  • Varicella: positive IGG titer, completed vaccine series, or booster after negative titer.
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap: Tdap required for select units; good for 10 years.
• TB testing: Negative PPD, Qgold, or T-spot within 12 months; chest x-ray and questionnaire if positive.
• Seasonal flu vaccination, declination, or medical/religious exemption required during flu season (Oct 1 – Mar 31).
• Photo for badge: full color, passport-style, taken within last 6 months.
• Skills checklist and employment application required.
• Competency exam specific to specialty, completed within 1 year prior to start, minimum 80%.
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification not required for ICU but may be required for other units.
• Fit mask testing (N95) within 1 year of start; onsite fit testing available if needed.

Additional Notes

• Candidates must be willing to comply with emergency preparedness protocols, especially during hurricane season (June 1 – Nov 30).
• All certifications must be current or renewed prior to start date if expiring within 30 days.
• This position involves care of complex cardiac patients requiring advanced telemetry monitoring and management of cardiac drips (not titrated for blood pressure).