Stepdown Unit RN
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson Medical Center

Travel Registered Nurse – Stepdown Unit

Location: Tucson, Arizona
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each; 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
Hours per Week: 36

Job Description

• Seeking ICU nurses willing to work in Stepdown / High Acuity PCU / Mini ICU settings.
• Recommended for nurses with prior travel experience; no first-time travelers.
• Comfortable managing cardiac stepdown patients including post-op heart day 1 care.
• Skilled in titrating insulin, cardiac and vasoactive drips.
• Experience managing tracheostomies and arterial lines required.
• Typical nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:3 (1:4 is considered understaffed).
• Must be willing to float within scope of care.
• Full contract length commitment required.
• No block shift requests accepted.
• Local candidates are not eligible.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Arizona.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in Progressive Care Unit (PCU) / Stepdown nursing, with at least one year of recent PCU experience.
• Completion of at least one prior travel nursing assignment.
• Current BLS (Basic Life Support) certification issued by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• Current ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification issued by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) or Management of Assaultive Behavior (MAB) certification.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Comfortable managing tracheostomies and arterial lines.
• Skilled in titrating insulin, cardiac drips, and vasoactive drips.

Certifications & Competencies

• BLS (Basic Life Support) – AHA or Red Cross only.
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) – AHA or American Red Cross only.
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) or Management of Assaultive Behavior (MAB) certificate.
• Medication Test/Pharmacology Competency Exam with passing score of 80% or higher.
• HIPAA Competency, updated annually with a passing score of 80% or above.
• Pass/Fail Testing (EKG/Medication) required on first day of orientation for assigned units.
• Other certifications may be required depending on unit assignment (e.g., ENPC, NRP, PALS) – confirm with orientation materials.

Orientation

• Orientation held twice monthly.
• Attendance at scheduled orientation is mandatory.

Background & Screening Requirements

• Background check must be completed and cleared within 30 days prior to assignment start.
• Includes 7-year history, OFAC, National Sex Offender Search, EPLS/GSA/SAM, and HHS/OIG checks.
• Drug testing (12-panel) must be completed within 72 hours of booking and within 30 days of start.
• Physical exam within 1 year of start, signed by physician, NP, or PA.
• Fit testing for N95 masks within 1 year of start.
• Immunizations and health screenings required:

  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 3 months of start.
  • Full TDAP vaccine within past 10 years (declinations allowed except for certain pediatric units).
  • Proof of immunity or vaccination for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (declinations not accepted).
  • Hepatitis B vaccination or positive titer (declinations allowed with signed form).
  • Seasonal flu vaccine required during flu season (Oct 1 – Apr 30) or approved medical/religious exemption with facility-specific form.

Documentation & History

• Two professional references from employment within the last 3 years required; one must be supervisory.
• Employment application with complete work history for the last 7 years; gaps over 30 days must be explained.
• Annual skills checklist update required.

Additional Notes

• Nurse-to-patient ratio and acuity levels indicate a high-intensity environment.
• No local candidates accepted; must be willing to travel and commit to full contract length.
• No multiple submissions or block shift requests allowed.

This position is ideal for experienced Stepdown nurses with prior travel assignments who are comfortable in a high-acuity cardiac care environment and committed to a 13-week night shift contract.