Med Surg/Telemetry RN (Neuro & Stroke)
Columbia, South Carolina
Palmetto Health Richland

Registered Nurse (MS/Telemetry - Neuro & Stroke)

Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

• Adult neuro and stroke unit caring for patients with embolic & hemorrhagic strokes, seizures, neurosurgical cases (shunt revisions, tumor removals, craniotomies/cranioplasties).
• Stroke care follows American Heart Association guidelines for Comprehensive Stroke Center designation.
• Patient-to-nurse ratio: 4-5 patients per nurse.
• Floating required as needed to other units or campuses where qualified.

Schedule

• Shift: Day (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each, 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM)
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• Facility may call off 1 shift per 2 weeks
• All scheduling requests must be submitted and approved at booking

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum 1 year of experience as a Registered Nurse in the specialty
• EPIC charting experience (minimum 1 year)
• Accepts first-time travelers; locals accepted within radius rule

Required Certifications

• Active South Carolina or multistate RN license (no pending licenses accepted)
• ACLS (American Heart Association or American Red Cross, RQI acceptable)
• BLS (American Heart Association or American Red Cross, RQI acceptable)
• NIH Stroke Scale Certification
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Other certifications may be required based on unit specifics (e.g., TNCC, ENPC, CPI, MAB)

Clinical Skills

• IV therapy: starting IVs, accessing ports, managing PICC & central lines, peripheral IV care
• Blood product administration, PCA & heparin protocols
• Respiratory care: HFNC, nasal cannula, tracheostomy management
• Telemetry monitoring, dysrhythmia interpretation & management, Rapid Response Team participation
• Stroke (CVA) care, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, pre/post neurosurgery care
• Continuous bladder irrigation, isolation precautions, surgical drain management, feeding tube care

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Driver’s license required for computer access and must be carried on duty
• Background check: 7-year history within 12 months of start, including alias and county/state searches
• E-Verify or attestation required
• Federal and state sanction checks (EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG) within 30 days of start and every 30 days thereafter
• Fingerprinting required if applicable (e.g., WV residency/work history)
• Education verification of highest level completed
• Drug screening within 1 year of start, updated annually (5-panel minimum)
• Physical exam within 1 year attesting ability to meet job demands
• Immunizations and health screenings:

  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 90 days of start
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine within 10 years if working in high-risk areas
  • Flu vaccine or approved exemption required annually (not required for remote workers)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella: positive titer or 2 vaccines required (can clear with second vaccine pending within 28 days)
  • Hepatitis B vaccination series, positive titer, or signed declination

Orientation & Testing

• Online orientation modules must be completed within 72 hours of assignment (not required for prebook candidates)
• Pre-assignment testing (medication and arrhythmia tests) required within 72 hours of receiving login info; two attempts allowed
• EKG practice test and study guide provided for telemetry and related units
• Pass/fail testing for medication and arrhythmia with minimum passing score of 84%
• Annual competency exams and core training (Parts I, II, III) required with minimum 80% passing score

Additional Notes

• Badge photo required prior to start (passport-style, plain background, no alterations)
• Floating policy must be signed and renewed annually
• Facility is a Level I Adult and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center with 641 licensed beds
• Latex-free environment

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in South Carolina
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Minimum 1 year of telemetry nursing experience within the last year
• Experience with EPIC electronic health record system
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification