Telemetry Observation Unit Nurse
South Charleston, West Virginia
Thomas Memorial Hospital

Job Opportunity: 3 T - Observation Unit Nurse

Location: South Charleston, West Virginia
Unit: 3 Pavilion / 3 T - Pulmonary & Observation
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit Details

• Beds: 32
• Nurse/Patient Ratio: 1:6
• Shift Hours:

  • Day: 6:45 am - 7:15 pm
  • Night: 6:45 pm - 7:15 am
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend (rotating schedule)
• Holiday Requirement: Rotational with core staff, with some preference possible after tenure
• Floating: May be required to float to Med-Surg units (4P or 5P) or Emergency Department for boarded patients

Patient Population & Care

• Common Diagnoses: Respiratory conditions, medical conditions
• Age Group: Adult and geriatrics
• Special Patient Care: Trachs (not ventilated, RN provides trach care)
• Experience Required:

  • Med-Surg, Telemetry, Critical Drips, Trach Care required
  • Peritoneal Dialysis preferred
  • Strong cardiac background preferred

Certifications & Skills

• Required Certifications: BLS, ACLS
• Drip Management:

  • RNs must titrate drips
  • Common drips: Heparin, Cardizem (up to 15 mg/hr), Lasix, Dopamine (low dose renal perfusion), Amiodarone
• Telemetry: Monitor techs available 24/7; RNs review strips each shift
• Charge Nurse Role:

  • Modified patient assignment (usually 2 patients)
  • Traveler may be asked to fill Charge Nurse role and can be cross-trained if interested

Staffing Support

• Nurse Aides:

  • Day shift ratio: 1 aide to 10 patients
  • Night shift ratio: 1 aide to 15 patients
• Respiratory Therapy Equipment: CPAP, BiPAP, High Flow O2, Trach collars, IV pumps, sequential compression devices, pulse oximetry, specialty beds
• RT maintains ventilators; RNs provide trach care

Orientation & Training

• General hospital orientation on first day
• Full day nursing orientation for RNs/LPNs
• Computer training: half-day for CNAs, full day for nurses
• Two 12-hour orientation shifts with a preceptor
• Initial Skills Checklist due within 90 days

Dress Code

• Scrub Colors:

  • RN/LPN: Navy
  • CNAs/Monitor Techs: Dark Grey/Pewter
• Scrubs must be solid color, no embroidery or patterns
• Approved fleece zip-ups allowed in grey, black, navy, or royal blue
• Solid undershirts in white, grey, or black matching scrub top
• Closed-toed shoes required; no crocs allowed

This position is ideal for nurses with previous travel experience who are comfortable managing telemetry patients, titrating drips, and providing specialized respiratory care in a fast-paced observation unit.