PCU/Stepdown RN
South Charleston, West Virginia
Thomas Memorial Hospital

Registered Nurse (RN) – PCU/Stepdown Unit

Location: South Charleston, West Virginia
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Nights
Hours: 12-hour shifts, 36 hours per week
Unit: Progressive Care Unit (PCU) / Stepdown
Bed Count: 11-12 beds (expanding following ICU expansion)
Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: 1:4
Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
Holiday Requirement: Rotational

Unit & Patient Care Details

• Patient types include post-op vascular, hemodynamically stable cardiac dysrhythmias, CVA, sepsis, renal patients, stable acute MI, unstable angina, and post cardiac catheterization with PCTA or significant blockage.
• Nurses are required to float to ICU, Stepdown, Med-Surg Telemetry, and Emergency Department to care for boarded PCU or ICU patients.
• Telemetry monitoring is available 24/7 with a Monitor Tech; RNs interpret cardiac strips.
• Charge Nurse ICU serves as a resource for PCU; a Charge Nurse is assigned to PCU with patients.
• Nurse aides (PCT/CNA) are assigned at a ratio of 1 per 10 patients; nurses assist with general care and unit clerk duties as needed.
• Respiratory therapy equipment includes CPAP, BiPAP, high flow oxygen, mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy, specialty beds, and IV pumps.

Required Certifications & Skills

• BLS (AHA)
• ACLS
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
• ICU skill set required due to floating needs
• Experience with BiPAP, CPAP, mechanical ventilation, telemetry, critical drips, post cardiac cath care
• Ability to titrate drips (e.g., insulin, Cardizem, heparin, amiodarone, low dose dopamine)

Experience Requirements

• 1-2 years of critical care experience required
• Prior travel nursing experience required
• Preferred experience:

  • Arterial line management
  • Post femoral-popliteal procedures
  • Post endarterectomy care
  • ECAR and TVAR experience preferred
• CRRT and IABP experience preferred

Orientation & Training

• First day: General hospital orientation
• Full day nursing orientation for RNs
• Computer training (full day for nurses)
• Two 12-hour orientation shifts with a preceptor
• Abbreviated Initial Skills Checklist due within 90 days

Dress Code

• RNs/LPNs: Navy solid color scrubs, no embroidery or patterns
• CNAs/Monitor Techs: Dark grey/pewter solid color scrubs
• Solid undershirts allowed in white, grey, or black matching scrub top
• Solid color fleece zip-ups allowed in grey, black, navy, or royal blue
• Closed-toed shoes only; no crocs permitted

Additional Notes

• Rotating weekends and holidays
• Cannot accommodate large blocked scheduling