Travel Phase I PACU RN
St. Louis, Missouri
Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Position

Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
Facility Type: Short Term Acute Care, Magnet & Teaching Hospital, Level I Trauma Center
Unit: Phase I PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Schedule & Work Details

• Shift: 4x10 hour shifts, Monday-Friday, rotating start times as needed
• No weekends or on-call required
• Average daily census: 70-90 patients
• Unit size: 38 patient bays, open 24/7
• Patient population: Adults, occasional adolescents, and geriatric patients
• Surgical recovery includes: Neurosurgery, ENT, plastics, orthopedics, thoracic, vascular, trauma, general, colorectal, GYN, urological, electrophysiology, interventional radiology, and transplant (excluding open heart surgeries and liver transplants)
• Unit has its own Patient Care Technician (PCT) and transport team
• Night shift may require learning pre-op patient care
• Floating: Yes, within scope to PACU or PreOp units only
• Local candidates not accepted (must live at least 75 miles away)
• Pending license accepted
• Return to Office (RTO) restrictions: No more than 7 days
• Guaranteed hours: Minimum 3 shifts per 13 weeks (cancelled shifts must be full shift length)

Experience & Skills Required

• Minimum 2 years of nursing experience
• Critical care experience required
• Skills:

  • Inpatient care
  • Level I Trauma Center experience
  • Dysrhythmia recognition and management
  • Blood product administration
  • Phlebotomy
  • Starting IVs and managing IV vasopressors
  • ICP (Intracranial Pressure) monitoring
  • Care of ventilated patients
  • General critical care nursing

Certifications Required

• BLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA only
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) - AHA only
• Other certifications may be required depending on unit (e.g., PALS, NRP, TNCC, CPI, NIH Stroke Certification) — check unit-specific requirements
• IV Certification required for LPNs/LVNs with Missouri licenses
• Competency exams including medication/pharmacology, unit-specific skills, and dysrhythmia/EKG competency required and must be updated annually

Licensure & Compliance

• Must have a valid Missouri RN license (NURSYS verification required)
• Pending licenses accepted
• Background checks required including:

  • Criminal background check (7-year search)
  • EPLS/GSA/SAM quarterly checks
  • HHS/OIG quarterly checks
  • State-specific searches and registries as applicable
• Education verification required (highest nursing education)
• Drug testing required within 1 year of start and must remain valid throughout assignment
• Physical exam required within 1 year of start
• Fit mask testing required and must be renewed annually
• Immunizations and health screenings required:

  • Tdap (or Td booster)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray (with yearly questionnaire)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella immunity or vaccination/declination as applicable
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season
• Facility-specific compliance documents must be completed prior to start (HIPAA, confidentiality, latex allergy questionnaire, hand hygiene, dress code, fingernail policy, etc.)

Additional Requirements

• Two professional references required (supervisors preferred)
• Employment application and unit-specific skills checklist required within 1 year of start
• Must complete facility-required competency exams and training modules (e.g., regulatory compliance education)
• Must adhere to facility policies including dress code, hand hygiene, and fingernail policies
• Must complete required facility-specific forms such as vehicle registration if working day shifts

Summary

This is a travel/contract RN position in a high-acuity Phase I PACU unit at a large Level I Trauma Center in Saint Louis, MO. The role requires critical care experience, strong clinical skills in post-op recovery, and multiple certifications. The schedule is 4x10 hour shifts Monday through Friday with no weekends or on-call. Candidates must meet strict licensure, background, and health compliance requirements and be willing to float within the unit scope. This position is not open to local candidates living within 75 miles of the facility.

Note: Candidates should review unit-specific certification and competency requirements prior to assignment.