Step-Down RN
Auburn, New York
Auburn Community Hospital

Step-Down RN

• Location: Auburn, New York
• Employment type: Travel/Contract
• Contract length: 13 weeks
• Shift: Night, 3x12 hours (19:00 to 07:30)
• Hours: 36 hours per week, guaranteed, 12 hours per day
• Scheduling: Every other weekend and every other holiday (EOW & EOH); no blocked scheduling
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:4 to 1:5
• Local candidates: Accepted

Unit Patient Population and Diagnoses

• Congestive heart failure (CHF)
• Status post heart catheterization
• Status post vascular procedures
• Respiratory failure (BiPAP / CPAP / Vapotherm)
• Cardiac dysrhythmias

Unit Procedures and Expectations

• Post-heart cath care
• TR bands
• Post-vascular procedure monitoring
• Frequent vital signs and neurovascular checks
• Nurses are responsible for independently measuring telemetry strips and interpreting cardiac rhythms for all telemetry patients under their care, as the facility does not employ telemetry technicians

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in New York
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) / Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• 2+ years of Stepdown experience
• Stepdown experience within the last year
• Experience working with cardiac patients
• Experience working with neuro patients
• Experience with cardiac drips
• Experience with conscious or moderate sedation
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) issued by the American Heart Association
• BLS (Basic Life Support) issued by the American Heart Association
• NIHSS
• IV insertion skills
• PICC line management
• Blood product administration
• CVA / acute stroke management
• BiPAP / CPAP management
• Assist with chest tube insertion/removal

Pre-Start Requirements

Background and Exclusion Checks

• Background check within 1 year of start, covering all locations lived, worked, or attended school for the past 7 years, updated annually, with complete results required before working
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks, required prior to facility start
• NYS Medicaid Exclusion List: required
• NYS Nurse Aide Registry: required by facility

Health and Immunizations

• Full physical with review of systems within 12 months of start, signed by a licensed provider. AYA physical form or physician statement is not acceptable.
• Fit test within 12 months of start, updated annually, using an approved mask (3M 1860, 3M 1860S, 3M Aura 1870+, Halyard Duckbill Small or Regular, or PAPR)
• Tdap within the last 10 years, or declination
• TB: PPD, T-Spot, or QuantiFERON within 1 year of start; if past positive, chest X-ray within 5 years plus an annual TB questionnaire
• Measles, mumps, and rubella: 2 MMR vaccines or serologic titers (facility requires measles and rubella immunity; mumps immunity recommended, status required)
• Hepatitis B: series, titer, or signed declination
• Varicella: 2 vaccines, positive titer, or physician-documented history of disease; negative titer with signed declination is acceptable
• 9-panel drug screen within 30 days of start (instant/rapid accepted), not required annually
• Flu vaccine or declination for flu season (9/1 to 5/1); candidates declining must wear a mask. Flu documentation due by 11/30 for working clinicians.
• COVID vaccine records or declination

Documents and Trainings

• Unexpired government-issued photo ID
• 2 professional references within 3 years of hire
• Skills checklist: required
• Facility orientation packet, including self-study orientation quiz and acknowledgments (specified pages must be completed)
• Code of conduct, patient abuse reporting, and confidentiality/non-disclosure agreement: review and sign
• Automated dispensing cabinet security training: required for medication system access
• Orientation safety manual acknowledgment: required