PCU RN
Newark, New Jersey
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center

PCU RN

Overview

• Location: Newark, New Jersey
• Employment type: Travel/Contract
• Contract length: 13 weeks
• Facility: 665-bed acute care teaching hospital with advanced quaternary services, including heart and lung transplants
• Shift: Night, 3x12 hours (19:00 to 7:30), 12 hours per day, 36 hours per week

Requirements

• Active New Jersey or Compact RN license at time of submission
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support issued by American Heart Association or RQI
• BLS issued by American Heart Association or RQI
• NIHSS
• IV Certification
• PCU - Progressive Care Unit (2 years of experience)
• PCU - Progressive Care Unit experience within the last year
• Experience working with Level 2 Trauma patients
• Experience working with Neuro patients
• Experience working with Spinal Cord Injury patients
• Experience working with Cardiac Transplant patients
• Experience working with Renal Transplant patients
• LVAD/RVAD experience
• Post-cardiac procedure care (angiogram, MI, cardiac catheterization, surgery)
• TAVR experience
• TR Band management
• Pulmonary hypertension management
• Experience with Epic

Clinical Skills

• Cardiac: LVAD/RVAD; telemetry (unit and remote); dysrhythmia interpretation and management; post-cardiac procedure care (angiogram, MI, cardiac catheterization, surgery); TAVR; TR Band; pulmonary hypertension; heart, lung, and kidney transplant management
• IV therapy and medications: Port access and management; arterial, central, and peripheral line management; PICC; phlebotomy; IV starts; heparin protocols; PCA; insulin drips (including titration); cardiac and vasoactive drip titration; pain management; drug ingestion/overdose requiring neuro, pulmonary, or cardiac monitoring
• Respiratory: Ventilator care; CPAP/BiPAP; HFNC; trach care; oxygen delivery systems; ABG interpretation; suctioning; chest tubes (Emerson/PleurEvac)
• Neuro: Neuro checks every 2 hours; stable stroke; acute TBI; intracranial hemorrhage; cervical/spinal cord injury; peri-op neurosurgical; chronic neurologic disorders; lumbar drain
• GI/General: GI disorders (stable GI bleed, acute liver failure requiring octreotide); feeding tube management; isolation precautions; wound care and Wound Vac; ostomy care; turning and positioning; surgical drains

Unit and Patient Profile

• Unit: PCU
• Ratio: 1:4
• Patients: Adults 18+ with multi-organ issues, heart failure, hypertension, cardiac rhythm disorders, trach/vented patients, LVAD patients, and pulmonary HTN requiring IV prostacyclin
• Floating: Must float within skillset without exception. Ratios vary based on census, patient acuity, and staffing.
• Scrubs: Navy blue

Scheduling

• Every other weekend
• Schedule and RTO requests are prioritized for submissions with a screenshot confirming requests. No requests are approved after offer.
• Facility may call off 1 shift per 2 weeks
• First-time travelers accepted
• Local candidates accepted

Onboarding and Compliance Requirements

• Identification: Government-issued photo ID (driver's license or state ID) due within 48 hours of signing
• E-Verify: Required to clear
• Criminal background check: Required within 30 days of start; attestations not accepted; candidates cannot start with open cases
• Exclusion checks: EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG, and NJ Department of Treasury Exclusions List, all within 30 days of start and updated at each renewal or extension
• Work history verification: New Jersey requires 1 year verified prior to start
• Florida education audit confirmation: Required for RN/LPN candidates. Nurses with degrees from schools associated with the Operation Nightingale investigation cannot work and will be automatically canceled.
• Drug screen: 10-panel urine drug screen within 30 days of start
• Competency exams: Medication/pharmacology, dysrhythmia/EKG, and IV therapy/infusion exams. First attempt within 72 hours of signing, all completed within 12 months of start. Maximum of 3 attempts; 4th attempts not approved.
• IV certification: Required for all RNs (except OR specialties); must be on file by 6/1/2026 for working candidates
• Controlled substance medication handling: Required for all candidates
• Floating policy: Must be completed for every new assignment
• Annual education sign-off: Required before start and updated annually
• Orientation: Safety manual acknowledgment and proof of annual OSHA, HIPAA, and Joint Commission training required. Orientation videos and attestation required for all RNs.
• Employment history: Employment application or resume with 7 years of work history; all gaps must be explained
• References: 2 references within the last 2 years, at least one managerial
• Tuberculosis: Single TB blood test within 3 months of start, or 2-step PPD (first within 12 months, second within 3 months)
• Immunizations and titers: Rubeola, mumps, rubella, varicella, and hepatitis B titers or vaccine series documentation; Tdap within the past 10 years
• Influenza: Vaccine or approved medical/religious exemption required for flu season. Deadlines: 9/15/2026 for pre-start candidates, 12/4/2026 for working candidates.
• Physical exam: Within the previous 12 months, stating the candidate is cleared to perform essential job functions and is free of communicable disease
• Respiratory clearance: RespSafety clearance required prior to start, updated annually. On-site fit test mandatory on the first day.
• Conditional requirements: Color blind exam, latex questionnaire, and respirator fit testing are required only if job tasks require color discrimination, glove use, or respirator use