PCU Registered 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

Unit & Patient Population

• Mixed acuity surgical oncology unit caring for Progressive Care Unit (PCU) and Medical-Surgical patients
• Busy surgical floor with a focus on surgical oncology, including breast, thyroid, melanoma, hepatobiliary (liver, pancreas, spleen, biliary tract cancers, neuroendocrine), colorectal (colon, rectal cancer), and plastics (reconstructive breast cancer or sarcoma)
• Patient age groups: Adults and Geriatrics

Work Schedule & Staffing

• Shift: Night shift (3 shifts of 12 hours, 19:00 to 7:30), with possible rotation to days or combination depending on unit needs
• Staffing ratio goal: 1 nurse to 4 patients, can be up to 1:5
• Weekends: Variable based on unit needs
• No set/blocked scheduling; schedule reviewed every 4 weeks but subject to change based on staffing priorities
• Travelers may be required to float within their scope of practice
• Self-scheduling requests accepted before final schedule posting

Orientation

• First week: Monday to Friday, dayshift orientation
• Second week: 36 hours of on-unit orientation with a preceptor

Required Experience

• Minimum 2 years of Registered Nurse experience

Clinical Skills & Procedures

• Chemotherapy administration
• Blood transfusions
• IV antibiotics
• Management of oncologic emergencies including cytokine release syndrome
• Insulin and heparin drips
• Strong emphasis on infection prevention protocols and patient fall prevention

Certifications Required

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Certification

Preferred:

• Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Chemotherapy Certification

Technology

• Electronic charting system: EPIC

Licensure & Background Requirements

• Active Registered Nurse license valid in Ohio
• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, including SS trace, counties lived/worked, nationwide check, sex offender registry, and motor vehicle record if driving is required
• FBI and BCI fingerprinting required with specific Ohio codes; must be completed within 1 year of start
• Education verification from an accredited nursing program (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA) required
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start (no pending results allowed)
• 2 professional references required (at least one from a manager or formal leadership)
• Employment application and skills checklist required

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year confirming good health and free of contagious disease
• Fit mask test required annually for inpatient/patient-facing roles (valid for entire assignment length)
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine (adult dose after age 11/12)
• Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year; annual TB questionnaire required
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): 2 vaccines or positive titer; boosters required if low titer
• Hepatitis B: Titer or 3-vaccine series (declination acceptable)
• Varicella: 2 vaccines or positive titer; medical exemptions require documentation
• Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season (10/1 - 3/31); mask required if declining
• COVID-19 vaccination not required but recommended

Competency Exams

• Medication test/pharmacology competency exam required prior to start
• Unit-specific competency exam required
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 1 year of start and updated annually (exceptions apply)

Additional Notes

• Parking permits available for agency staff at various rates and locations (details provided separately)
• Candidates must review and sign dress code and hand hygiene policies
• Fraud, waste, and abuse training certificate required prior to start and updated annually
• Ethics and compliance policies must be reviewed and acknowledged annually

Requirements / Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio
• Minimum 2 years of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience, with PCU experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) / Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification

This position is ideal for a Registered Nurse with oncology and PCU experience seeking a travel contract in a high-acuity surgical oncology setting with rotating shifts and a strong emphasis on specialized certifications and compliance.