Step-Down Registered Nurse
Redlands, California
Redlands Community Hospital

Travel Registered Nurse (Step Down) - Redlands, California

Job Type

• Travel / Contract

Contract Length

• 13 weeks

Specialty

• Registered Nurse (Step Down Unit)

Required Experience

• Minimum years of specialty experience: Not explicitly stated; assume standard for Step Down RN roles (typically 1+ years PCU/Telemetry experience preferred)
• Prior travel experience: Not required; first-time travelers with PCU experience considered

Work Environment & Patient Ratios

• 1:3 patient ratio with trach and ventilator management required
• Float within areas of competency: med/surg, telemetry, observation
• Weekend requirement: Minimum 2 weekends per month (may be more)

Required Skills & Experience

• Management of cardiac drips (Amiodarone, Milrinone, Lasix, Cardizem [titrated], Dopamine, Dobutamine) — non-titrated drip management required
• Insulin management preferred but not required
• NIH Stroke Certification required
• Telemetry monitoring and dysrhythmia interpretation
• PCU/DOU/IMC/Stepdown experience
• Use of Rapid Response Teams
• Post MI care
• Feeding tube care and management
• Pre/Post Hemodialysis management
• Renal failure care
• Accessing and managing ports, central lines, peripheral lines, PICC lines
• Starting IVs and following Heparin protocols
• Care of ventilated patients, tracheostomy management, chest tubes (Emerson/Pleur-evac)
• Use of external CPAP/BIPAP and High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC)
• Interpretation of ABGs
• Oxygen delivery devices (nasal cannula, face masks)
• Non-invasive airway management
• Isolation precautions
• Wound care and wound vac management

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Meditech electronic health record experience
• Post cardiac angiogram care
• IV insulin protocols and titration of insulin drips
• Titration of cardiac drips
• Pre/Post neurosurgery care

Certifications Required

• NIH Stroke Certification
• ACLS (AHA only; RQI not accepted)
• BLS (AHA only; RQI not accepted)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for clinical positions
• Other certifications as applicable to specialty

Orientation & Other Requirements

• 24-hour orientation provided
• Navy scrubs required (not provided)
• No local candidates within 50 miles accepted
• Use of Omnicell medication system
• SBAR communication skills required

Support Services Available

• Interpretation services
• Lift teams
• Pharmacy
• Phlebotomy
• Physical therapy
• Radiology
• Rapid response teams
• Respiratory services
• Social services
• Unit secretary
• Intensivist and hospitalist coverage

Compliance & Health Requirements (Summary)

• Background checks including SS trace, county, nationwide, sex offender, and international if applicable
• Drug screening (10-panel including THC) within 30 days of start
• Immunizations and titers: Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap, TB testing, Rubeola, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella
• Flu vaccination or declination annually
• COVID vaccination plus booster or approved exemption
• Physical exam within last 12 months
• Fit mask testing for approved respirators
• Various facility-specific acknowledgments and signed documents required prior to start

This position is ideal for RNs with telemetry and step-down experience comfortable managing complex cardiac patients requiring ventilator and trach care, with strong critical care skills and certifications. First-time travel nurses with PCU experience are welcome to apply.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid RN license in California
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• Minimum 1 year of PCU (Progressive Care Unit) experience within the last year
• Stepdown experience
• Intermediate Care experience
• Surgical ICU Stepdown experience
• DOU (Direct Observation Unit) experience
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• ACLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
• BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Management and interpretation of dysrhythmias
• Use of Rapid Response Teams
• Feeding tube care and management
• Accessing and managing ports
• Central line care and management
• Peripheral line care and management
• PICC line management
• Starting IVs
• Following Heparin protocols