Step-Down Registered Nurse
Saint Louis, Missouri
Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit & Work Environment

• Unit: DOU/Step-Down (Progressive Care Unit/Stepdown and floor side)
• Nurse-to-patient ratios:

  • PCU: 2-3 patients per nurse
  • Floor: Usually 4 patients, can be up to 5
• Nurses may float between PCU and floor within scope
• Facility Type: Short Term Acute Care
• Magnet & Teaching Hospital / Level I Trauma Center
• Charting system: EPIC
• Scrub color: Navy Blue

Requirements

• Specialty: Registered Nurse
• Minimum Years of Experience: 2 years
• First-time travelers accepted: Yes
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• Certifications Required:

  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
  • BLS (Basic Life Support)
• Pending License Accepted: Yes
• On-call: Not required
• Floating: Yes, within scope to meet facility needs
• Local candidates not accepted (must live at least 75 miles from facility)
• Return to Office (RTO) Restrictions: No more than 7 days off per 13-week contract
• Guaranteed Hours: Yes

Special Skills & Competencies

• Interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
• Telemetry monitoring
• Management and titration of cardiac drips
• Chest tube care

Orientation & Scheduling

• Start date: 3-4 weeks out depending on compliance tier
• Block scheduling: Not accommodated

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Government-issued ID required (e.g., Driver’s License or State ID)
• Criminal background check within 6 months, including statewide and nationwide searches
• Quarterly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks
• Education verification of highest nursing degree required before start
• Professional license primary source verification (NURSYS for Missouri licenses)
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, must include specific panels and be valid throughout assignment
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Fit mask testing required and must be renewed annually
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • Tdap vaccine or declination (expires every 10 years)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray with yearly questionnaire
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella immunity or vaccination/declination as applicable
  • Flu vaccination or medical/religious exemption required during flu season
• Facility-specific documents including HIPAA acknowledgement, confidentiality form, latex allergy questionnaire, hand hygiene, fingernail, and dress code policies must be reviewed and signed prior to start
• Orientation modules (approx. 16 hours) completed through WorkRamp, required before start unless recently completed at BJC facilities

Competency Exams & Additional Certifications

• Unit-specific competency exams required and must be updated annually
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 1 year of start and annually thereafter
• Medication test/pharmacology competency exam as applicable
• Additional certifications may be required depending on unit (e.g., PALS, NRP, TNCC, CPI/MAB, NIH Stroke Certification)

References & History

• Two professional references required (supervisors preferred)
• Employment application and unit-specific skills checklist required within 1 year of start
• Performance evaluations may be requested but are not mandatory for extensions or per diem

Parking & Facility Notes

• Parking passes available for purchase; fees vary by lot and shift
• No parking charge for straight night shifts (employee parking available)
• Day/night rotation shifts require a parking pass

This position offers a structured travel nursing opportunity with a reputable Magnet and Level I Trauma teaching hospital, requiring a minimum of 2 years RN experience, specific certifications, and compliance with detailed health and background documentation. Prior travel experience is not required.