Stepdown Neuro RN
Seattle, Washington
Harborview Medical Center

Job Opportunity: Stepdown Neuro Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location

• Seattle, Washington

Contract Details

• Duration: 13 weeks
• Shift: Nights, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 PM - 7:30 AM)
• Patient Ratio: 1:5
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend, with scheduling flexibility
• On-call: Not required
• Floating: Yes, travelers float first within scope to meet facility needs
• Block scheduling: Not accommodated
• Locals accepted
• Return to Office (RTO) restrictions: No more than 6 days onsite per pay period
• Guaranteed hours: Facility may call off 1 shift every 2-week pay period

Patient Population

• Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Epilepsy patients
• Conditions include traumatic brain injury, craniotomy, craniectomy, aneurysm clipping/coiling, spinal cord injury, strokes, seizures, epilepsy, changes in mental status, and telemetry monitoring

Facility Type

• Magnet-designated, Teaching hospital, Level 1 Trauma center

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Washington State
• Minimum 2 years of recent Neuro Progressive Care Unit (PCU) / Stepdown experience, with at least 2 years total and experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Proficient in telemetry monitoring and dysrhythmia interpretation/management
• Experience in neuro stepdown care and telemetry
• Ability to provide care for neuro PCU patients including those with complex neurological conditions

Competency & Testing Requirements

• Must pass a Dysrhythmia/EKG Competency Exam with a minimum score of 80% (only 2 attempts allowed)
• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam required (minimum 80% in dosage calculations)
• Orientation testing is pass/fail with 80% passing score; failure results in cancellation
• Annual stroke education modules required for neuro-related units
• Color Blind Testing required annually starting 5/4/2026

Licensure & Background Checks

• Active RN license for Washington State required; pending licenses not accepted
• Primary source verification of license required
• 7-year criminal background check required, including nationwide, sex offender, and state-specific searches
• Additional background checks: EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG, Sex Offender Search
• WA-specific requirements for multi-state licensed nurses (suicide prevention training and demographic attestation) apply if using a compact license

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year (not required by facility but needed for agency)
• Mask fit test within 12 months (specific mask models required)
• Tdap vaccine within 10 years or documented declination
• Negative TB test (Qgold, Tspot, or 2-step PPD within 90 days) or chest X-ray if positive TB history
• Annual TB questionnaire (except Micro Lab candidates)
• Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella: Titer or 2 vaccines required; declination allowed with documentation
• Hepatitis B: Positive titer or declination; vaccine series and re-titer required if non-immune
• Varicella: Titer or 2 vaccines required; declination allowed with documentation
• Seasonal flu vaccine or declination required during flu season (09/29 - 03/31)
• COVID vaccination or declination required for tracking purposes

Additional Facility-Specific Requirements

• Badge photo meeting professional criteria required
• Completion and signing of facility-specific documents including:

  • License acknowledgment
  • Equipment safety form
  • Health history form
  • Policies and procedures acknowledgment
  • Job description acknowledgment
  • PCIS agreement
  • Personal data form
• Background packet submission prior to start including personal data and national background check forms
• Orientation modules must be completed before start date (approx. 2-3 hours)
• Photo ID and other documentation must meet facility standards

Special Notes

• No on-call duties
• Floating assignments prioritized for travelers
• Dysrhythmia competency test must be completed and on file at least 10 days before start
• Facility uses Epic electronic charting system with hard stops
• Parking available onsite and offsite with shuttle service (details provided separately)
• Candidates must complete all pending license requirements (e.g., fingerprinting) prior to starting if on a temporary license

References & Evaluations

• Two professional references required (not uploaded)
• Performance evaluations may be requested post-assignment

This position offers an opportunity to work in a high-acuity neuro stepdown unit within a Level 1 trauma and teaching hospital environment, requiring strong neuro nursing skills and telemetry expertise.