Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indiana University Health University Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Position Overview

• First time travelers accepted; locals not accepted
• Travelers expected to work every other weekend; consecutive weekends may be required based on operational needs
• May be required to cover charge nurse responsibilities with training and resources provided
• Teaching facility: travel nurses must agree to precepting and/or having students shadow them during assignment
• Floating required: may float to Med-Surg, PCU, ICU units; refusal to float may result in contract termination
• Staffing ratios: 1 nurse to 3-4 patients
• Unit: Surgical PCU with near ICU-level acuity, including ENT, Thoracic, General Surgery, Urology, and Medical overflow patients

Experience & Skills Required

• Minimum 2 years of nursing experience
• Proficient in:

  • Cardiac monitoring (on-unit)
  • Chest tube management
  • Fresh tracheostomies
  • Feeding tube care and management
  • Post-operative patient care
  • Epidurals
  • Management of non-titratable cardiac drips
  • IV insulin protocols and insulin drip titration
  • External BiPAP/CPAP
  • Total laryngectomy care
  • Doppler flap checks

Certifications Required

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) - AHA or RQI accepted
• BLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA or RQI accepted

Licensure

• Valid Registered Nurse license for Indiana (IN) required
• Online verification of license including expiration and disciplinary actions must be completed within 30 days before start

Health & Compliance Requirements

• Physical exam completed within 12 months of start
• Fit mask test within 12 months of start (specific approved respirators required)
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 12 months of start
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Rubeola (Measles): positive titer or 2 vaccines required; no declinations accepted
  • Mumps: positive titer or 2 vaccines required; no declinations accepted
  • Rubella: positive titer or 2 vaccines required; no declinations accepted
  • Varicella: positive titer or 2 vaccines required; no declinations accepted
  • Hepatitis B: series, titer, or signed declination required
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap: preferred but not required
• Tuberculosis screening (PPD, QuantiFERON-TB Gold, or T-SPOT) within 1 year of start; chest x-ray required if positive test
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption required for flu season (9/30 - 3/31); declinations not accepted
• Color blind exam (Ishihara or equivalent) with 100% minimum score required

Additional Requirements

• Minimum of 2 professional references from recent employment verified within 2 years; references must be from charge, manager, supervisor, or above
• Current employment application with full work history and explanations for gaps of 30+ days
• Skills checklist completed within 12 months and annually thereafter
• Background checks including 7-year history, criminal, sex offender, and education verification required
• Completion of facility-specific orientation, compliance, and safety modules prior to start
• Agreement to facility policies including HIPAA and confidentiality

Important Notes

• IU Health will not allow Indiana RN’s to work at their facilities effective 11/30/2024, except for Perioperative/OR, Allied, and Ambulatory RN travelers (including ENDO, IR RN, PACU, Cath Lab RN, SDS)
• Call-in shift policies vary based on FTE status and must be made up or added to end of contract
• On-site PAPR available at Methodist and University Hospitals with automatic approval

Summary

This is a 13-week travel contract for a Registered Nurse with at least 2 years of experience, proficient in advanced surgical and critical care nursing skills, with required ACLS and BLS certifications. The role involves working in a high-acuity Surgical PCU unit with floating responsibilities and teaching/precepting duties. Compliance with extensive health, licensure, and background requirements is mandatory. Prior travel experience is not explicitly required.