Step-Down Registered Nurse
Auburn, New York
Auburn Community Hospital

Job Opportunity: Step-Down Registered Nurse (RN)

Location: Auburn, New York
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each; 19:00 - 7:30)
Hours per Week: 36 hours guaranteed
Schedule: Every Other Weekend (EOW) & Every Other Holiday (EOH)
Patient Ratio: 1:4-5

Unit / Patient Population

• Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
• Post heart catheterization
• Post vascular procedures
• Respiratory failure requiring BiPAP / CPAP / Vapotherm
• Cardiac dysrhythmias

Unit Procedures / Expectations

• Post-heart catheter care including TR bands
• Post-vascular procedure monitoring
• Frequent vital signs and neurovascular checks

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)

Required Skills & Competencies

• Cardiac/Emergency: cardiac monitoring, dysrhythmia interpretation and management, 12-lead EKG/ECG
• IV/Vascular: IV start and maintenance, PICC line management, blood product administration
• Medications: emergency medications, procedural sedation administration and monitoring, cardiac drip titration
• Neurological: CVA/acute stroke management
• Respiratory/Thoracic: BiPAP/CPAP management, assist with chest tube insertion/removal
• Professional: infection prevention, isolation precautions/PPE, phlebotomy

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 2+ years of recent Step-Down nursing experience

Equipment / Systems Used

• Medication system: Pyxis

Required Documentation & Compliance

• Unexpired government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License/State ID)
• Background check within 1 year covering all locations lived/worked/schooled in past 7 years, updated annually
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks prior to start
• Primary source verification of New York RN license prior to start and upon expiration
• Nursys verification prior to start
• Physical exam completed within 12 months prior to start, signed by licensed provider confirming ability to perform job duties
• Fit mask test within 12 months prior to start, updated annually (approved mask types specified)
• Immunizations and health screenings:

  • TDAP vaccine within last 10 years or declination
  • Negative TB test (PPD, T-Spot, or QGold) within 1 year or chest x-ray if prior positive
  • Measles, mumps, rubella immunity (2 MMR vaccines or serologic titers)
  • Hepatitis B series, titer, or signed declination
  • Varicella immunity (2 vaccines, positive titer, or documented history)
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season
  • COVID vaccine records or declination
• 9-panel drug screen within 30 days of start (instant/rapid accepted)
• Stroke education: 8 hours annually (NIH Stroke Scale training may count)
• Pass/fail telemetry assessment on first day of orientation (minimum 80% score required) covering cardiac rhythm interpretation and clinical interventions; remediation provided if needed
• Medication/pharmacology competency exam as applicable
• Skills checklist required
• References: 2 professional references within 3 years of hire
• Facility-specific documents to review and sign: code of conduct, patient abuse reporting, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement, orientation packet acknowledgment, automated dispensing cabinet security (for Pyxis access), annual tuberculosis screening questionnaire
• Compliance with New York State Nurse Aide Registry and Medicaid Exclusion List requirements

Requirements / Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in New York
• Minimum 2 years of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience, with at least some experience within the last year
• BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
• ACLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
• NIHSS certification
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Additional Notes

• No blocked scheduling
• Local candidates accepted (with adjusted pay rate)
• Nurses are responsible for independently measuring telemetry strips and accurately interpreting cardiac rhythms as telemetry technicians are not employed on the unit

This position is ideal for experienced Step-Down RNs with strong cardiac, neurological, and respiratory skills seeking a night shift travel contract in New York.