RN Telemetry – Visual Monitor Unit
Phoenix, Arizona
Saint Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center

Registered Nurse (RN) – Visual Monitor Unit (VMU)

Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Unit Type: MedSurg/Telemetry unit with behavioral health component (not a psych unit)
Unit Size: 14 beds
Shift: Nights (7pm–7am)
Hours: 12-hour shifts, 36 hours per week
Patient Ratio: 1:4
Weekend Requirement: Every 3rd weekend (approximately 4 weekend shifts per 4 weeks)
Holiday Coverage: Part of permanent staff rotation

Unit & Patient Population

• VMU is a telemetry unit specializing in medical patients with secondary psychiatric diagnoses (e.g., confusion, dementia, low cognitive ability).
• Patients may require additional safety monitoring; rare use of physical restraints, chemical restraints used as needed.
• Unit is video monitored by security; behavior health techs and security staff support the unit.
• Psych MD is present on the unit.
• Common diagnoses include medical conditions with secondary mental illness.
• Average patient length of stay: 4 days.
• Floating assignments may include ED psych holds and MedSurg floors.

Required Qualifications

• Current RN license.
• Minimum 2 years of core MedSurg/Telemetry nursing experience.
• Level 1 Trauma experience required.
• BLS and ACLS certifications required.
• Cerner EMR experience required.
• Prophecy Dysrhythmia Exam required 24-48 hours prior to position acceptance (max 2 attempts; failure results in 6-month disqualification in region).
• Must pass a Day 1 pass/fail SIMs Lab (includes Foley catheter insertion and central line dressing changes; sterile field competency critical).
• Prior travel experience is required for certain specialties (ED, Neuro ICU), but not explicitly stated as required for this role.
• Must comply with facility appearance policies: no facial piercings, natural hair colors only, men must be clean-shaven for fit testing.
• Travel teams must have their own vehicles.
• Candidates cannot hold concurrent contracts with this employer.
• Must have been off permanent staff at this employer for at least 12 months to be eligible for travel assignment.

Orientation & Onboarding

• Orientation length: 2 shifts (floor-specific).
• Weekly orientations held on Mondays (except holiday weeks).
• Onboarding paperwork must be completed by 1pm CST Wednesday before start date; incomplete files will delay start.
• Day 1 includes pass/fail SIMs Lab and additional education on lifts, restraints, and wound care.

Work Environment & Support

• Charge nurse role includes patient assignments.
• Behavior health techs and security provide patient monitoring support.
• RT and pharmacy services available 24/7.
• IV team (SWAT RN) available.
• Parking provided with shuttle service; night shift parking in garage.
• Scrub color: Navy; panic buttons available on unit.

Additional Notes

• Facility is a large tertiary care center with trauma level 1 designation and teaching hospital status.
• Candidates must include unit size, hospital size, trauma level, and Cerner EMR experience in their profiles.
• Contract length minimum: 13 weeks.
• VMU is a telemetry unit; dysrhythmia exam is mandatory.
• Psychiatric experience preferred but not required; strong MedSurg/Telemetry skills and willingness to work with mentally ill patients are essential.