Telemetry Nurse
Lexington, Kentucky
UK Healthcare Good Samaritan Hospital

Registered Nurse - Telemetry

Location: Lexington, Kentucky
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 14 weeks
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each, 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM)
Hours per Week: 36

Unit Description

• 23-bed medical-surgical unit caring for orthopedic, spine, general surgery, and bariatric post-op patients.
• Occasionally receives overflow from medicine areas.
• Fast-paced, typically admits 10-20 post-op patients daily.
• Unit includes cardiac and oxygen monitoring capabilities.
• Requires both medical and surgical nursing skillsets.
• Float to other units within skillset may be required.

Required Experience

• Minimum 1 year of nursing experience.
• First-time travelers considered only if experienced with post-op surgical patients, especially Orthopedics and Gastrointestinal surgeries.
• Local travelers within 100 miles are not accepted.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Kentucky.
• Telemetry nursing experience of at least 1 year, with experience within the last year.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Experience caring for post-op surgical patients, especially orthopedics and gastrointestinal surgeries.
• Orthopedics nursing experience.

Health and Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year, signed by MD, NP, or PA, confirming good health and ability to perform job duties.
• Fit mask test within 1 year, updated annually (acceptable masks include Halyard Regular/Small, 3M N95 models).
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine within 10 years or approved medical/religious exemption (updated annually).
• Negative TB test (PPD or TSPOT/QuantiFERON) within 1 year, renewed annually; if positive, chest X-ray within 5 years and annual questionnaire required.
• Immunity or vaccination for Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, and Hepatitis B required; boosters or exemptions accepted and must be updated annually.
• Seasonal flu vaccination/documentation required year-round; medical/religious exemptions accepted with mask-wearing on shift.
• COVID-19 initial vaccine series required or approved exemption; booster preferred but not required.
• Drug screening within 1 year, updated annually; must include amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, cannabinoids, opiates, phencyclidine, benzodiazepines, methadone, and propoxyphene. Rapid drug screens not accepted.

Background and Verification Requirements

• Background check within 1 year, updated annually, including:

  • County criminal background for all locations lived/worked in last 7 years.
  • National criminal and sex offender searches.
  • Education verification or signed official transcript/diploma.
  • EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG exclusion checks within 30 days of start, updated annually.
• Employment verification for 7 years required, completed 8 business days prior to start.
• Two supervisor references verified within 6 months of start; must confirm direct supervision.
• Employment application must explain any gaps longer than 30 days.

Facility-Specific Requirements

• Must review and comply with COVID-19 vendor immunization communication and exemption policies.
• Must sign facility policies including Acceptable Use, Confidentiality, Electronic Communications, and Password Policy prior to start.
• Annual EKG competency certification completed onsite required for candidates whose unit requires prestart EKG exam.
• Pass/fail EKG exam must be completed within the first week of booking or risk cancellation.
• If EKG exam is failed on first attempt, remediation is required before a second attempt.
• Failure of both EKG exam attempts results in cancellation.

Additional Notes

• This is a night shift position on a busy telemetry unit.
• Candidates must be able to float to other units as needed.
• Prior travel experience is not required, but first-time travelers must have relevant post-op surgical patient experience.
• All certifications and documents must be current and valid throughout the assignment.
• Renewal plans must be in place for any certifications or documents expiring during the contract.

This summary includes all relevant information for healthcare recruiters and workers considering this Registered Nurse Telemetry travel contract position.