Travel Med-Surg/Telemetry Registered Nurse
Tappahannock, Virginia
VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital

Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Position

Location: Tappahannock, Virginia
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Details

• Unit: Med Surgical/Telemetry floor
• Experience Required: Minimum 1 year in specialty (1 year experience required; accepts first-time travelers)
• Prior Travel Experience: Not required
• Return to Office (RTO): No more than 4 days of RTO per 6 weeks
• Time off must be used by the end of the contract
• Manager interview required

Required Certifications

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) - AHA only
• BLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA only
• Telemetry certification
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification

Licensure

• Permanent RN license required (temporary licenses not accepted)
• NURSYS verification required

Background and Compliance Requirements

• Criminal background check within 60 days of start, including:

  • All states lived/worked in past 7 years
  • State of permanent residence
  • VA Statewide Repository Search
  • Sex Offender Registry
  • Education verification
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start
• Fingerprinting (Virginia State Police National Criminal Background Check) required for certain units; results can pend but proof of submission must be on file
• Virginia Central Registry (CPS) search and documentation required for applicable units

Health and Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year attesting ability to meet physical demands
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine (declination accepted with handwritten signature)
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray (Q-gold/T-spot within 30 days of start or two PPDs as specified)
• Annual TB questionnaire
• Titers and/or boosters for:

  • Rubeola (Measles)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Varicella
• Hepatitis B titer, vaccine series, or declination
• Drug testing within 60 days of start (9-panel minimum, instant screens not accepted)
• Seasonal Flu vaccination or approved exemption required for 2025-26 season

Orientation and Competency

• Pharmacology exam, Point of Care Testing, Airborne Precaution Mask Fitting at orientation (not pass/fail)
• Basic Knowledge Assessment Tool (BKAT) for Tele/Step-Down, Progressive Care, ICU units
• Completion of assigned learning modules (~6 hours) during orientation week
• Medication test/pharmacology competency exam required
• Abuse reporting competency covering physical/sexual abuse, domestic violence, neglect/exploitation of elderly or incapacitated adults

Documentation and Application

• Complete application/resume required
• Two professional references required
• Skills checklist updated annually required

Additional Notes

• Candidates must carry government-issued photo ID during hours of service
• Proof of primary residence must match compact licensure for Virginia
• No onsite certification renewals; renewals must be scheduled prior to contract start
• Candidates must bring mask (cloth acceptable), non-wireless headphones, and laptop/cell phone or notify if not available

This position is suitable for Registered Nurses with at least 1 year of experience in med-surg/telemetry who meet the certification and licensure requirements and are comfortable with the outlined compliance and health documentation. Prior travel experience is not required.