PCU RN
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital

Registered Nurse - PCU

Location: Columbus, Ohio Employment type: Travel/Contract Contract length: 16 weeks Hours: 36 hours/week, 12-hour shifts Shift options: Day (7:00-19:30) or Night (19:00-7:30), 3x12 per week Schedule: Rotating 12-hour contract. Days, nights, or a combination may be scheduled based on department needs. Shift assignments are reviewed every 4 weeks, but changes are not guaranteed. Weekend shifts are variable.

Unit Overview

• Medical Oncology unit with progressive care (PCU) beds
• 36-bed Oncology Telemetry unit with over 24 beds at PCU level of care
• High-acuity PCU with a small amount of med-surg
• Patient diagnoses: solid tumor, orthopedic oncology, thoracic oncology
• Pediatric patients are rare and would likely be cared for by permanent staff
• Heavy focus on infection prevention and patient falls
• Equipment: GE B450 telemetry monitors, bladder scanner, Alaris pumps, Stryker beds, continuous bladder irrigation, PCA pumps
• Ratios: 1:4-5 med-surg telemetry; 1:3 PCU (may vary with unit needs)
• Float scope: may be required to float to units of equivalent or lower acuity

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Ohio
• PCU - Progressive Care Unit experience within the last year, with at least 1 year of total PCU experience
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support issued by American Heart Association
• BLS issued by American Heart Association
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• Accessing ports
• Blood product administration
• Experience with the care and management of invasive lines, including PICC line management
• IV insertion skills
• Heparin protocols
• Experience with cardiac drips, including titratable drips
• PCA management
• Chest tube management (Emerson/Pleur-evac)

Pre-Start Requirements

• Background: 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start (includes SSN trace, counties lived/worked, nationwide search, sex offender registry, and MVR if driving is part of the job). Ohio BCI and FBI fingerprints are required within 1 year of start.
• Exclusion checks: HHS/OIG and EPLS/GSA/SAM, monitored monthly
• Education verification: Run immediately after contract signing. Candidates who do not meet the accredited-program requirement will be cancelled.
• Licensure: State license verification within 30 days of start; NURSYS verification required
• Drug screen: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start. Pending screens are not accepted.
• Physical exam: Within 1 year of start, stating good health and free of contagious disease
• Immunizations and TB:

  • Tdap (adult dose after age 11/12)
  • MMR: 2 doses or positive titer
  • Hepatitis B: titer, 3-vaccine series, or signed declination
  • Varicella: 2 doses or positive titer (shingles vaccine not accepted)
  • TB: negative test within 1 year of start, or TB questionnaire
  • Flu vaccine or declination during flu season (10/1-3/31); if declined, must wear a mask at all times. Flu vaccine cannot be received onsite.
• Competencies:

  • Medication/pharmacology competency exam before start
  • Unit-specific competency exam
  • Dysrhythmia/EKG exam within 1 year of start and updated annually; minimum score 76%; 3 attempts maximum
• Training and forms:

  • Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training certificate before start and annually
  • Ethics and compliance policies, annually
  • Orientation safety manual acknowledgment, annually
  • Dress code and hand hygiene policy
  • Confidential fraud/compliance reporting form
  • Annual N95 fit test (on-site if needed)
  • Annual stroke education (hours vary by unit)
• Application: Employment application and skills checklist
• References: 2 professional references. At least 1 must be from a manager, director, or formal leader. No coworker references.

Other Notes

• Pediatric experience is not required.
• Benefits: comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for professional growth and development.