PCU Registered Nurse
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital

Job Opportunity: PCU Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each, 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit & Patient Population

• 32-bed mixed model unit: 15 PCU beds and 17 Med-Surg beds
• Cardio-pulmonary focus with emphasis on pulmonary care
• Patient diagnoses include cardiac medical cases, valve replacements, COPD, CHF, pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, lung transplant (pre/post), trach-to-vent patients, neurodegenerative diseases requiring trach-to-vent, trauma (cervical spinal fractures), flu, TB, and COVID-19 (limited cases)
• Staffing ratios: PCU 1:4; Med-Surg 1:5-6; sometimes mixed assignments of 4-5 patients

Job Responsibilities & Expectations

• Travelers expected to work every other weekend; consecutive weekends may be required based on operational needs
• May be required to float between Med-Surg, PCU, and ICU units with provided resources
• Charge nurse responsibilities may be assigned with training and resources provided
• Teaching facility: travelers must be willing to precept and/or have students shadow them during assignment
• Call-in shifts must be made up during the pay period or added to the end of the contract depending on FTE status
• Local candidates are not accepted

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Indiana
• Minimum 2 years of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience, with at least some experience within the last year
• Experience in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg) nursing
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• ACLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
• BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Background checks including 7-year history, SSN trace, county/state/national checks, and education verification
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 12 months (including amphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, opiates, PCP)
• Physical exam within 12 months of start date
• Fit mask test within 12 months with approved respirators (3M N95 models or Honeywell N95)
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Rubella: positive titer or 2 vaccines required; no declinations accepted
  • Varicella: positive titer or 2 vaccines required; no declinations accepted
  • Hepatitis B series, titer, or signed declination required
  • Tuberculosis screening (PPD, QuantiFERON-TB Gold, or T-SPOT) within 1 year; chest x-ray and documentation required if positive
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap strongly recommended but not required
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption required for flu season (9/30 - 3/31)
• Color blind testing (Ishihara exam or equivalent) with 100% minimum score
• Medication/pharmacology competency exam and unit competency exam required
• Minimum of 2 professional references from recent employment with supervisory titles, verified within 2 years
• Current employment application with full work history and explanations for gaps of 30+ days

Important Notes

• Indiana RN license holders will not be allowed to work at the facility after 11/30/2024, except for Perioperative/OR RNs, Allied, and Ambulatory RNs (including Endoscopy, IR RN, PACU, Cath Lab RN, SDS)
• On-site PAPR respirator use is automatically approved at Methodist and University hospitals only
• On-site fit testing is limited and requires prior approval
• Facility-specific forms and orientation packets must be completed as a priority before start date

This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to work in a specialized cardio-pulmonary progressive care unit with a diverse patient population in a teaching hospital environment.