IMU Stepdown Registered Nurse
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (RN) - Intermediate Care Unit (IMU)

Location: Wheeling, West Virginia
Unit: Intermediate Care Unit (IMU)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit Details

• Beds: 30 (14 Private & 16 Semi-private)
• Patient Ratios: Goal is 1:4; typically 1:5; occasionally 1:6
• EMR System: Sunrise
• Shift Length: 12-hour shifts (7 AM - 7 PM and 7 PM - 7 AM)
• Shift Scheduling: Self-scheduling allowed with 4 requested days off per month
• Floating: Required to float to Telemetry or MedSurg units as needed (ratios up to 1:6 or 1:7 in MedSurg) and to Pandemic Unit
• Weekend Requirement:

  • Nights: 4 weekend night shifts per 4-week schedule
  • Days: 4 weekend day shifts per 4-week schedule, plus minimum 3 night shifts per 4-week schedule (not necessarily on weekends)
  • Only night shift is considered a straight shift
• Holidays: Flexibility required; holidays usually covered by permanent staff

Patient Population & Care

• Common diagnoses: Chest pain, rule out MI, CHF, arrhythmias, post pacemaker, pre/post cardiac catheterizations (manage radial bands & remove but do not pull sheaths), groin checks, overflow intermediate care acuity patients
• Rarely manage chest tubes
• Manage patients on Tikosyn therapy

Required Certifications & Skills

• Certifications: BLS, ACLS, NIHSS
• Skills:

  • Ability to read and interpret cardiac telemetry strips (Tele Techs present but RNs must interpret their own strips)
  • Ability to titrate drips including Amiodarone, Cardizem, Dopamine, Dobutamine, Labetalol, Nitro, Heparin, and occasionally Lasix
• Respiratory Equipment: Managed by Respiratory Therapists (RT)
• IV Therapy: IV team performs all IV starts; RN may work alongside PICC/Midline team

Support Staff & Resources

• Hospitalist in-house 24/7
• Intensivist in ICU 24/7
• Residents in-house 24/7
• Respiratory Therapists in-house 24/7
• Pharmacy available 24/7 (Pyxis system)
• Telemetry Monitors: Nihon Kohden
• Charge Nurses take full patient assignments on all shifts
• Clinical Assistants support with patient assignments and office work
• Nurse Aides: 2-3 CNAs with ratios of 1:10-12

Orientation

• Day 1: Approximately 4 hours with HR, then 8 hours on unit with preceptor
• Day 2: On unit with preceptor
• After Day 2: Independent

Required Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (RN) license for West Virginia
• BLS, ACLS, NIHSS certifications
• Experience with telemetry and intermediate care patients preferred

Additional Notes

• Must comply with a 50-mile radius rule for submissions
• Unexpired driver’s license required
• Licensing issues must be disclosed at time of submission

Prior travel experience: Not explicitly required.
Years of specialty experience: Not specified.