IMU Step-Down Telemetry Nurse
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling Hospital

Job Opportunity: Intermediate Care Unit (IMU) Nurse

Location: Wheeling, West Virginia
Unit: IMU - Intermediate Care Unit (30 beds: 14 private, 16 semi-private)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Required Certifications

• BLS
• ACLS
• NIHSS

Patient Ratios

• Goal: 1:4
• Typical: 1:5
• Occasionally: 1:6

Shift Details

• 12-hour shifts (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM and 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM)
• Must be ready on unit by 6:45 AM/PM
• Self-scheduling allowed with 4 requested days off per month
• Weekend shifts include Friday, Saturday, Sunday
• Night shift nurses work 4 weekend nights per 4-week schedule
• Day shift nurses work 4 weekend days per 4-week schedule but must also work minimum 3 night shifts per 4-week schedule (not necessarily on weekends)
• Only night shift is considered a straight shift

Staffing Support

• Charge nurses take full patient assignments on all shifts
• Clinical Assistants work 2 twelve-hour shifts on the floor and 2 eight-hour shifts in the office
• 2-3 CNAs per shift with ratios of 1:10-12
• Telemetry Techs available, but RNs must interpret cardiac strips themselves
• IV team available 24/7 and performs all IV starts
• Respiratory Therapists (RT) available 24/7 and manage all respiratory equipment (AirVo high flow, Respironics BiPAP)
• Hospitalists in-house 24/7
• Intensivists in ICU 24/7
• Pharmacy available 24/7 (Pyxis system)

Clinical Responsibilities

• Ability to titrate drips including: Amiodarone, Cardizem, Dopamine, Dobutamine, Labetolol, Nitro, Heparin, occasionally Lasix
• Manage patients with diagnoses such as chest pain, rule out MI, CHF, arrhythmias, post pacemaker, pre/post cardiac catheterization (manage radial bands and remove but do not pull sheaths), groin checks, and other intermediate care acuity patients
• Manage patients on Tikosyn therapy
• Rarely manage chest tubes

Orientation

• Day 1: Approximately 4 hours with HR, then 8 hours on unit with preceptor
• Day 2: On unit with preceptor
• After Day 2: Independent

Additional Information

• Must have unexpired driver’s license and disclose any licensing issues at submission
• Nurses required to float as needed to Telemetry or MedSurg units (ratios up to 1:6, possibly 1:7 in MedSurg)
• May be expected to float to Pandemic Unit
• RN scrub color: Navy blue top and bottom, navy scrub jackets, no hoodies
• Telemetry monitors: Nihon Kohden
• Travelers must be flexible for holiday shifts, though holidays are usually covered by permanent staff

This position is ideal for nurses experienced in intermediate care settings who are comfortable managing complex cardiac patients, titrating drips, and working flexible shifts including weekends and nights.