Emergency Department Registered Nurse
Potsdam, New York
Canton-Potsdam Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - Emergency Room

Location: Potsdam, New York
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

Seeking a Registered Nurse with a minimum of 2 years of experience in Emergency Department nursing. This position is for a combined Adult/Pediatric Non-Trauma Emergency Department in a Level III Trauma Center and Primary Stroke Center.

Key Responsibilities & Skills

• Interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
• Care for patients with multisystem organ dysfunction/failure
• Blood product administration
• Central line care and management
• Phlebotomy and IV starts
• Continuous IV sedation and IV vasopressors administration
• Care for patients with:

  • CVA (stroke)
  • Neuro-trauma, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury
  • Orthopedic trauma
  • Abdominal pain, asthma, burns, epiglottitis, head injury
  • Hyperglycemia, infections, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections
  • Mental/behavioral health conditions
  • Seizures, ventilated patients, gunshot wounds, traumatic amputation
• Identifying and reporting abuse

Certifications Required

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course)

Preferred Certifications

• CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention)
• TCAR (not specified, but preferred)

Shift Details

• Night shifts, either 36 or 48 hours
• Weekend requirement: Every other weekend (2 weekends per 4-week schedule)
• Patient ratio experience required: 1:5

Unit Systems

• EPIC (Electronic Health Record)
• Pyxis (Medication dispensing system)
• SBAR (Communication framework)

Orientation

• 24 hours

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in New York
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• Minimum 2 years of Emergency Department (ED) nursing experience, including experience within the last year
• Experience in a combined Adult/Pediatric Non-Trauma Emergency Department
• Experience working in a Level III Trauma Center and Primary Stroke Center
• Experience managing a patient ratio of 1:5 in an emergency setting
• Proficient in management of dysrhythmias and care for patients with multisystem organ dysfunction/failure
• Experience with central line care and management
• Experience administering continuous IV sedation and IV vasopressors
• Experience caring for patients with:

  • CVA (stroke)
  • Neuro-trauma, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury
  • Orthopedic trauma
  • Abdominal pain
  • Burns
  • Epiglottitis
  • Head injury
  • Hyperglycemia
  • Seizures
  • Ventilated patients
  • Gunshot wounds
  • Traumatic amputation
• Current certifications issued by the American Heart Association:

  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
  • BLS (Basic Life Support)
  • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• Current certifications:

  • NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)
  • TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course)

Compliance and Documentation Requirements

• Government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License or State ID)
• 7-year criminal background check including all aliases
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks within 30 days of start
• Education verification from the registrar’s office (transcripts/diplomas not accepted)
• State license verification (New York) within 30 days of start
• NURSYS verification for RN license within 30 days of start
• Harassment prevention training certificate (annual requirement)
• Medication and pharmacology competency exams as required
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam
• Photo for badge (passport-style with solid background)
• Review of patient confidentiality, sexual harassment prevention, patient experience training, and other facility-specific policies prior to start
• Physical exam within 1 year of start, updated annually
• Fit mask test within 1 year of start, updated annually (with PAPR exemption if needed)
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccination within 10 years (TD not accepted)
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year of start; TB questionnaire if applicable
• Immunizations or proof of immunity for Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella
• Drug testing within 30 days of start (specific panels required)
• Seasonal flu vaccination or signed declination during flu season
• Eye exam (Snellen) within 1 year of start
• References: 2 professional references required
• Employment application and skills checklist (updated annually)
• 7-year work history verification (attestation letter accepted if verification not possible)

Additional Notes

• Candidates must complete all health-related requirements and lab work within 5 days of signing the contract.
• Strict adherence to expiration dates on health documents is required; documents expiring during the contract must be renewed prior to expiration to avoid removal from the floor.
• Orientation and training modules must be completed prior to start.
• Candidates must be able to work night shifts and meet weekend scheduling requirements.

This position offers an opportunity to work in a dynamic emergency department setting with a diverse patient population requiring advanced nursing skills and certifications.