Corrections PCU 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

Job Overview

• Work primarily in a corrections health unit with a locked environment and controlled access.
• Float between Oncology Medical-Surgical (MS) units and Progressive Care Unit (PCU) as needed.
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:3 in PCU, 1:4-5 in MS.
• Corrections Officer to inmate ratio: 1:2.
• Shifts include nights (3 shifts of 12 hours each, 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM) with possible rotation to days or nights every 4 weeks based on staffing needs. Weekend shifts vary by unit.
• EPIC charting experience is required. Oncology experience preferred but not mandatory.
• Utilize Pyxis medication system and EPIC documentation system.

Patient Population & Care Focus

• Patients include those with active oncology diagnoses (solid tumors, hematology), oncology workup admissions, history of cancer admitted for other reasons, and non-oncology diagnoses such as COPD, sepsis, pneumonia, and abnormal labs.
• Care involves Medical-Surgical and Telemetry skills.

Clinical Skills & Competencies

• Cardiac monitoring and dysrhythmia interpretation/management.
• Unit-based telemetry monitoring.
• IV insulin protocols for endocrine/metabolic care.
• Feeding tube care and management.
• Pre/post hemodialysis and renal failure management.
• IV therapy including blood product administration, central/peripheral line and PICC line care, and IV starts.
• Medication management including heparin protocols, cardiac drips (no titration), and PCA.
• Respiratory care including external CPAP/BIPAP, High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC), ABG interpretation, oxygen delivery devices, non-invasive airway management, and tracheostomy care.
• Support interdisciplinary teams including pharmacy, physical therapy, radiology, respiratory services, social services, and rapid response teams.

Required Certifications & Licenses

• Registered Nurse license valid in Ohio.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (AHA Instructor/Provider or RQI acceptable).
• Additional certifications may be required depending on unit assignment (e.g., ACLS for some units starting 11/13/25).

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio.
• Minimum of 1 year of recent experience in a Progressive Care Unit (PCU).
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Experience with EPIC electronic health record system.

Background & Compliance Requirements

• Monthly monitoring through workforce systems for EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks.
• Pending background check attestation required if fingerprint results are pending at start.
• Annual review and signing of dress code, hand hygiene, ethics, and compliance policies.
• Fraud, waste, and abuse training certificate required prior to start and updated annually.
• Fingerprinting must be completed using Ohio BCI & FBI codes specific to healthcare workers; must be renewed if there is a break in service over 90 days or results are older than 1 year.

Additional Information

• Must acknowledge and comply with facility-specific policies including dress code and hand hygiene.
• Orientation safety manual acknowledgement required annually.
• Employment application and skills checklist required prior to start.
• Shift assignments are subject to change based on staffing priorities every 4 weeks but are not guaranteed.

This position is ideal for RNs comfortable working in a secure corrections environment with diverse patient needs, including oncology and medical-surgical care, and who have strong telemetry and critical care skills.