Travel Med/Surg RN – Post-Op GI & Wound Care
Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette General Medical Center

Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Position

Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Specialty: Registered Nurse (Med/Surg, Post-Op GI and Wound Care)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Overview

• Position in a hurricane-prone area; hurricane season runs June 1 - Nov 30 (storms may occur outside this window).
• Nurses may be assigned to an Emergency Team during storms, requiring them to stay onsite or assist with relief efforts.
• Candidates should be comfortable with hurricane-related emergency assignments.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of acute care experience.
• Med/Surg and post-op experience required, specifically full-time work on a post-op unit.
• At least one completed travel contract required for submission.
• Post-op experience focused on GI and wound care.

Patient Diagnoses Commonly Seen

• Pancreatitis
• GI bleeds
• Bowel obstructions and perforations
• Wound and post-op infections
• Mass removal
• Esophageal perforation
• Gunshot wounds (GSW)
• Motor vehicle collisions (MVC)
• Diverticulitis

Special Procedures Involved

• Pancreatectomy
• Esophagectomy
• Whipple procedure
• Spleenectomy
• Adrenalectomy
• Cystectomy
• Colectomy
• Thyroidectomy
• Mastectomy
• Hepatic resection
• Nissen fundoplication
• Bariatric surgery
• TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate)
• Gastrectomy
• Parathyroidectomy
• Exploratory laparotomy (Ex lap)

Equipment Skills Preferred

• PEG and PEJ tubes
• PCA pumps
• Various surgical drains (Per drain, JP drain, Hemovac, wound vac)
• Nephrostomy tubes
• Ileostomy, colostomy, urostomy care

Certifications Required

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) – AHA or RQI accepted; renewal required if expiring within 30 days of start.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) – AHA or RQI accepted; renewal required if expiring within 30 days of start.
• Other certifications may be required depending on unit (e.g., PALS, NRP, TNCC, EFM).

Licensure

• Active Louisiana state nursing license or Compact License required upon submission.
• License must be current or in the process of renewal if expiring within 30 days of start.

Background and Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, updated annually.
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start, updated monthly.
• Sex offender search required within 30 days of start, updated monthly.
• Education verification of highest level required (except for licensed roles).
• Competency exam specific to specialty required annually.
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 60 days of start.
• COVID-19 vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption required.
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season (Oct 1 - Apr 30).

Health and Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 12 months indicating good health.
• Fit mask testing (N95) within 1 year of start; onsite fit testing available if needed.
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 12 months; annual updates required.
• Immunity or vaccination documentation required for:

  • Rubeola (Measles)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B
  • Varicella
• Tdap vaccination required for select departments (ED, Pediatrics, Mother/Baby, NICU).

Additional Notes

• Photo for badge required within 24 hours of booking (passport-style, recent, color photo).
• Skills checklist and employment application required, including 7 years of employment history and explanation of gaps.
• Candidates must be prepared for emergency preparedness protocols related to hurricane season.

This position is ideal for experienced Med/Surg RNs with strong post-op GI and wound care skills who are comfortable working in a dynamic, hurricane-prone environment.