Med-Surg Telemetry RN – Acute Care for the Elderly
Columbia, South Carolina
Palmetto Health Richland

Registered Nurse – MS/Tele (Acute Care for the Elderly Unit)

Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each, 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
Hours per Week: 36

Unit & Patient Population

• Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) unit with 26 beds.
• Provides telemetry-capable care for patients aged 65 and older.
• Focus on preserving cognitive and physical function to help patients return to pre-admission baseline.
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:5.
• Floating required as needed to other qualified units or campuses.

Required Experience & Skills

• Valid RN license in South Carolina.
• Telemetry experience within the last year (minimum 1 year).
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• Proficient in IV starts.
• Dysrhythmia interpretation and management.
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system.

Certifications & Licenses

• Active South Carolina RN license or multistate license valid for South Carolina.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) – AHA or ARC only.
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) – AHA or ARC only.
• Must have 1 year of EPIC charting experience.
• Other certifications may be required based on unit specifics (e.g., Medication/Arrhythmia testing).

Scheduling & Work Policies

• Weekend shifts required every other weekend.
• Facility allows call-off of 1 shift per 2 weeks.
• First-time travelers accepted.
• Local candidates accepted within radius rule.
• All scheduling requests must be approved by the facility at booking.

Compliance & Onboarding Requirements

• Background check covering 7 years of history, including alias and county/state searches.
• Drug screening within 1 year, updated annually.
• Physical exam within 1 year attesting ability to meet job demands.
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 90 days.
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine if working in high-risk areas.
  • Flu vaccine or approved exemption required annually.
  • Documentation for Rubeola, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B.
• Respirator fit test completed onsite during orientation.
• Badge photo required prior to start.
• Completion of online orientation modules within 72 hours of assignment.
• Pre-assignment testing (medication and arrhythmia exams) required with two attempts allowed.
• Annual competency exams and core training (Parts I, II, III) required.
• Floating policy acknowledgment required.

Additional Notes

• The ACE unit is staffed by specially trained Geriatric Resource Nurses.
• The hospital is a Level I Adult and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center with advanced specialty programs.
• Candidates must carry a valid driver’s license for computer access setup.
• Pending licenses are not accepted; active license required before start.
• Prior travel experience is not required.
• Candidates must pass medication and arrhythmia competency exams prior to orientation.
• All certifications must not expire within 30 days of start date.
• HIPAA and OSHA training verification required annually.

This position offers an opportunity to work in a specialized geriatric acute care telemetry unit with a focus on elderly patient recovery and mobility. The role requires strong clinical skills in telemetry nursing and geriatric care, with adherence to strict compliance and onboarding protocols.