Medical-Surgical Telemetry RN (Oncology)
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital

Registered Nurse - Medical Oncology (Travel/Contract)

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each, 7:00 PM - 7:30 AM)
Contract Length: 16 weeks

Job Overview

• Work on a medical oncology unit caring for adult and geriatric patients with solid tumor cancers (e.g., breast, lung, prostate, pancreatic, colon, esophageal cancers).
• Patient care spans from new diagnosis through treatment and end-of-life care.
• Staffing ratios aim for 1:4, occasionally 1:5.
• Weekend shifts vary based on unit needs.
• No set/blocked scheduling; self-scheduling requests are submitted and balanced by management.
• Orientation includes one week of Monday-Friday day shifts followed by 36 hours of on-unit orientation with a preceptor.
• Floating to other MedSurg Oncology units is required.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio.
• Minimum 2 years of Med Surg / Telemetry nursing experience, with at least some experience within the last year.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association.

Patient Population & Diagnoses

• Adults and geriatrics.
• Common diagnoses include all subtypes of breast, lung, prostate, pancreatic, colon, and esophageal cancers, as well as encounters for antineoplastic chemotherapy.
• Patients may have concurrent medical-surgical issues.

Orientation & Scheduling

• First week: Monday to Friday day shifts for orientation.
• Second week: 36 hours of on-unit orientation with a preceptor.
• Self-scheduling system for shift preferences; final schedule balanced and posted by management.

Background & Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check including SS trace, counties lived/worked, nationwide search, 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 confirming graduation from an accredited nursing program (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA).
• Monthly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG monitoring.
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start (includes amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine, methadone, methaqualone, opiates, PCP, propoxyphene).
• Physical exam within 1 year confirming good health and free of contagious disease.
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Tdap (adult dose after age 11/12)
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year (or TB questionnaire)
  • MMR (2 vaccines or positive titer)
  • Varicella (2 vaccines or positive titer)
  • Hepatitis B (titer or 3-vaccine series or signed declination)
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season (10/1 - 3/31)
• COVID-19 vaccination not required but strongly recommended.

Competency & Testing Requirements

• Medication/pharmacology competency exam required prior to start.
• Unit-specific competency exams required.
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 1 year of start and updated annually (minimum passing score 76%).
• Annual orientation safety manual acknowledgment.

References & Documentation

• Two professional references required; at least one must be from a manager, director, or formal leadership role. Charge RN acceptable as second reference.
• Employment application required including education details.
• Skills checklist required.

Additional Notes

• Previous travel experience is preferred but not required.
• Heavy focus on infection prevention protocols and patient fall prevention.
• No annual background check required by client, but the agency requires annual background checks for direct candidates.
• Candidates must comply with 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.

This position offers an opportunity to work in a specialized oncology setting with a diverse patient population and requires strong clinical skills in telemetry and oncology nursing care.