Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse
Kansas City, Missouri
Saint Luke's Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (PCU)

Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

Seeking a Registered Nurse for the Progressive Care Unit (PCU) with a patient ratio of 1:4 (may flex to 1:6 occasionally). Strong ventilator experience is required. First-time travelers are accepted.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of nursing experience
• Strong ventilator experience required
• Prior travel experience not explicitly required

Work Schedule

• 8 weekend shifts required per 6-week schedule period (Friday, Saturday, Sunday combination)
• No on-call required
• Floating between departments, units, and facilities may be required
• Block scheduling not accommodated
• Local candidates not accepted (must live at least 75 miles from facility)
• Return to Office (RTO) restrictions: no more than 7 days
• Guaranteed hours: 3 shifts per 13 weeks

Certifications Required

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• NIH Stroke Certification (NIHSS)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• Other certifications may be required based on unit specifics (e.g., PALS, NRP, TNCC, CPI/MAB)

Skills and Competencies

• Work settings: Medical-Surgical/Telemetry, Telemetry, Cardiac Telemetry
• Cardiac monitoring and emergency response: interpretation and management of dysrhythmias, telemetry monitoring
• Gastrointestinal: feeding tube care and management
• Renal: pre/post hemodialysis management, renal failure care
• IV therapy/phlebotomy: accessing ports, blood product administration, central line and peripheral line care, PICC line management, starting IVs
• Medication management: heparin protocols, cardiac drips (no titration), PCA, titration of cardiac drips
• Neurological/psychiatric: care for CVA and traumatic brain injury patients
• Respiratory: care of ventilated patients, chest tubes (Emerson/Pleur-evac), external CPAP/BIPAP, high flow nasal cannula (HFNC), ABG interpretation, non-invasive airway management, tracheostomy management
• Professional skills: isolation precautions

Patient Population

• Pulmonary stepdown/intermediate care
• Ventilated trach patients
• COPD and pulmonary patients requiring advanced respiratory therapies (Airvo, BiPAP, CPAP)
• High acuity respiratory treatments
• Special procedures: endobronchial valves, ventilators

Facility Highlights

• 5-time Magnet Aware Winner
• Teaching hospital
• Level 1 Trauma Center
• Tertiary Care Hospital
• Total staffed beds: 456
• Charting system: Epic
• Scrub color: Navy
• Free parking

Compliance and Background Requirements

• Government-issued ID required
• Criminal background check within 6 months (7-year search including statewide, nationwide, and international if applicable)
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks quarterly
• Education verification required (highest nursing education)
• Fingerprinting required for Illinois long-term care or rehab units
• State-specific background checks and registries as applicable (Missouri and Illinois)
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, must include a comprehensive panel
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Fit mask testing (N95) required and must be renewed annually
• Immunizations and titers required: Tdap, TB screening, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (with specific exemptions not allowed in certain units)
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season
• Various facility-specific documents including HIPAA acknowledgement, confidentiality, latex allergy questionnaire, hand hygiene, fingernail, and dress code policies
• Mandatory completion of orientation and regulatory compliance education modules prior to start

References and Documentation

• Two professional references required (supervisors preferred)
• Unit-specific skills checklist within 1 year of start
• Employment application required
• Performance evaluations may be requested but not mandatory for clearance or extensions

This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to work in a high-acuity PCU setting with a reputable Magnet-recognized hospital system. Candidates must meet all clinical, certification, and compliance requirements to be considered.