RN Med Surg Oncology PCU/Telemetry
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital

Registered Nurse – Med Surg Oncology (Travel/Contract)

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Contract Length: 16 weeks

Unit & Patient Population

• Mixed acuity Progressive Care Unit (PCU) and Medical-Surgical Telemetry unit caring for medical oncology patients
• Approximately 48 beds total (24 PCU + 24 MS Telemetry)
• High acuity patient population with a variety of diagnoses including solid tumors and some blood cancers
• Pediatric patients are extremely rare and typically cared for by permanent staff; pediatric experience is NOT required
• Heavy focus on infection prevention protocols and patient fall prevention

Schedule & Orientation

• Night shift: 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
• Orientation:

  • Week 1: Monday to Friday, day shift orientation
  • Week 2: 36 hours on-unit orientation with a preceptor
• Shift assignments may rotate between days and nights based on department needs and staffing priorities, reviewed every 4 weeks
• Self-scheduling requests allowed before final schedule posting

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio
• Telemetry experience within the last year (minimum 1 year)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Skills & Competencies

• Chemotherapy competence is NOT required; optional 2-day chemotherapy course available for professional development
• Must complete medication/pharmacology competency exam prior to start
• Unit-specific competency exams required
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 1 year of start and updated annually (exceptions apply)

Equipment Used

• B450 monitors with GE telemetry system
• Bladder scanner
• Alaris infusion pumps
• Continuous bladder irrigation
• Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps

Patient Care Ratios & Environment

• Staffing ratios aim for 1 nurse to 4-5 patients but may vary based on unit needs
• Weekend shifts are variable

Background & Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, including FBI and BCI fingerprinting (Ohio-specific code 3701.881)
• Education verification from an accredited nursing program (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA) required
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug test within 3 months of start (no pending tests allowed)
• Physical exam within 1 year of start confirming good health and free of contagious disease
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • Tdap vaccine (adult dose)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year
  • Annual TB questionnaire
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination or positive titer
  • Varicella vaccination or positive titer (medical exemptions reviewed)
  • Hepatitis B titer or vaccine series (declination acceptable)
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season (10/1–3/31)
• Fit mask testing required annually for inpatient/patient-facing roles (valid for entire assignment length)
• Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training certificate required prior to start and updated annually
• Background check and fingerprinting results must be clear before start; pending fingerprint attestations accepted under specific conditions

Documentation & Other Requirements

• 2 professional references required; at least one must be from a manager or formal leadership (charge RN acceptable as second reference)
• Employment application and skills checklist required
• Dress code and hand hygiene policy acknowledgment required
• Confidential Fraud Waste Abuse and Compliance Reporting Mechanism form required
• Ethics and compliance policies must be reviewed and signed annually

Benefits & Additional Information

• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Flexible scheduling with self-schedule requests
• Comprehensive benefits package available

Note: Parking permits are available for agency staff but details are subject to change and not included here.