PCU Registered Nurse - Cardiac
Kansas City, Missouri
Saint Luke's Hospital

Job Opportunity: PCU Registered Nurse (Cardiac) - Travel/Contract

Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

• Position: Registered Nurse in Progressive Care Unit (PCU) with Cardiac specialty
• Shift: Night shift, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (18:45 - 7:15)
• Patient Ratio: Typically 1:5; may occasionally flex to 1:6
• Facility Type: Tertiary Care, Teaching Hospital, Level 1 Trauma, 5-time Magnet Aware Winner
• Charting System: EPIC
• Parking: Free

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum 2 years of nursing experience with cardiac patient care
• Teaching hospital experience required
• Cardiac experience mandatory (including cardiac telemetry and monitoring)
• Must be able to interpret and manage dysrhythmias and telemetry monitoring
• Experience with cardiovascular care: post cardiac angiogram, MI, cardiac cath, and surgery
• Familiarity with endocrine/metabolic protocols (IV insulin), GI feeding tube care, renal/hemodialysis management
• IV therapy skills: accessing ports, blood product administration, central/peripheral/PICC line care, starting IVs
• Medication management: Heparin protocols, cardiac and vasoactive drips (no titration), PCA
• Respiratory care: chest tubes, CPAP/BIPAP, high flow nasal cannula, ABG interpretation, tracheostomy management
• Professional skills: isolation precautions, wound care, wound vac
• Preferred skills: sheath removal, titration of cardiac and vasoactive drips

Schedule & Work Conditions

• Weekend Requirement: 8 weekend shifts per 6-week schedule (Friday, Saturday, Sunday combination)
• Floating: Regular floating within scope to other departments, units, or facilities may be required
• Holiday shifts and Charge RN assignments as needed
• Locals accepted within local radius
• No block scheduling accommodation
• No pending license accepted
• Return to Office (RTO) restrictions: No more than 7 days
• Guaranteed minimum: 3 shifts per 13 weeks

Required Certifications & Licenses

• Current Registered Nurse license valid in Missouri
• BLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA only
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) - AHA only; certs of completion acceptable for up to 1 month until official card issued
• Must have primary source verification of professional license (NURSYS verification required for Missouri licenses)

Competency & Testing Requirements

• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam within 12 months prior to start (minimum 80% pass rate)
• Unit-specific competency exam, updated annually
• Medication/pharmacology competency exam as applicable
• Color blindness testing within 12 months of start

Background & Compliance Requirements

• Criminal background check within 6 months of start (7-year search including statewide, nationwide, sex offender, and international if applicable)
• Quarterly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks
• Education verification of highest nursing degree required before start
• State-specific searches and registries as applicable (Missouri Highway Patrol, MO FCSR, MO EDL, Illinois State Exclusion List if applicable)
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, must include specific panels (amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cocaine, opiates, etc.) and remain valid throughout assignment
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Fit mask (N95) testing required annually; must be able to pass fit test or complete quantitative testing if failed
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Tdap vaccine or declination (expires every 10 years)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year (2-step PPD or equivalent)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella immunity or vaccination/declination as per unit requirements
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or medical/religious exemption required during flu season (Sept-April)

Facility-Specific Documents & Policies

• Badge photo (head and shoulders, white background, no obstructions, taken within 6 months)
• HIPAA Acknowledgement, Latex Allergy Questionnaire, Confidentiality Form, Regulatory Compliance Education (annual quiz with 80% pass)
• Hand Hygiene, Fingernail, and Dress Code policies must be reviewed and signed prior to start
• Orientation modules (~16 hours) required for all RNs, completed through online platform before start
• Additional healthstream modules may be required prior to start
• Employment application and professional references required (2 professional references preferred within last year)
• Unit-specific skills checklist required within 1 year of start

Additional Notes

• First-time travel nurses accepted
• On-call not required
• No accommodation for block scheduling
• Must be willing to float as needed within scope of practice
• Candidates must comply with all facility and state-specific credentialing and compliance requirements

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Missouri
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Minimum 2 years of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) nursing experience with a cardiac specialty
• PCU nursing experience within the last year, specifically in cardiac care
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification