MedSurg Post-Surgical RN
Weirton, West Virginia
Weirton Medical Center

Job Summary: Registered Nurse (RN) – MedSurg Level 7 Post Surgical

Location: West Virginia, Weirton
Contract Length: 12 weeks

Unit & Patient Population

• 27-bed unit
• Nurse-to-patient ratios:

  • Day shift: 1:5 (max 6)
  • Night shift: 1:6 (max 7)
• Common patient types and diagnoses:

  • Orthopedics: Post-op knee replacement, hip replacement, hip fractures, shoulder replacement
  • GU: TURBT, TURP, bladder biopsy
  • General surgery: Hemicolectomy, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, hernia repair
  • Cath lab: Post peripheral interventions, dialysis catheter insertions
• Typical nursing skills required: blood transfusions, wound vac changes, PCA pump management
• RNs titrate heparin drips per protocol

Staffing & Support

• Charge nurse on each shift:

  • Day charge nurse does not take patient assignments
  • Night charge nurse may take a small assignment (2-3 patients)
• Patient Care Technicians (PCTs):

  • 3 on day shift, 2 on night shift
  • Duties include bathing patients, changing linens, assisting with feeding and ambulation, vital signs every 4 hours, documenting intake/output, EKGs, blood glucose monitoring, bladder scanning, and patient transport
• Respiratory Therapists manage breathing treatments and respiratory equipment troubleshooting; no ventilators on unit
• No tele/monitor techs on unit; nurses are not required to read their own cardiac strips

Scheduling & Work Requirements

• Shifts:

  • RNs: 7am–7pm
  • CNAs: 6am–6pm
• No self-scheduling or block scheduling; schedules are discussed with staff and adjusted for vacations/holidays
• Weekend requirement: every other weekend
• Holiday rotation may be required, alternating between two groups of holidays every other year
• No on-call; standby available on an as-needed basis during low census with early dismissal if not needed
• Floating: rotating basis to other MedSurg, MedSurg-Tele, or IMC units for lower acuity patients; voluntary and tracked by charge nurse; no floating to rehab unit

Orientation

• 1 day with educator
• 1-2 days with preceptor
• Shift hours during orientation: 6:45pm–7:15am with 30-minute unpaid lunch

Required Qualifications

• Current RN license
• BLS certification
• Ability to transfuse blood, manage wound vacs, and operate PCA pumps
• Must be able to titrate heparin drips per protocol
• Valid driver’s license within 50-mile radius required

Additional Notes

• Dress code: Navy blue or white scrubs for nursing staff (scrubs not provided)
• Patient care technicians wear ceil blue scrubs
• Ward clerks wear hot pink and black scrubs

Years of Experience Required: Not explicitly stated; assume standard MedSurg RN experience expected (typically 1+ years)
Prior Travel Experience Required: Not indicated