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

Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract) - Columbus, Ohio

Contract Length

• 16 weeks

Job Description

• Work in a corrections health unit (PCU and Oncology Medical-Surgical units) serving Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections inmates.
• Float between Oncology Medical-Surgical (MS) units and PCU as needed.
• Ensure staff safety in a secure, locked corrections environment with controlled access by Corrections Officers.
• Nurse to patient ratio: 1:3 in PCU, 1:4-5 in MS.
• Some shifts assigned to MS, others to PCU.
• Weekend shifts vary based on unit needs.
• 12-hour day/night rotating shifts possible; shift assignments reviewed every 4 weeks but not guaranteed.
• EPIC charting experience required.
• Oncology experience preferred but not required.

Certifications Required

• BLS (Basic Life Support)

Systems Utilized

• Medication System: Pyxis
• Documentation System: EPIC

Patient Diagnoses

• Active oncology diagnoses and treatments (solid tumors, hematology)
• Oncology workup admissions
• History of cancer admitted for other reasons (surgical procedures, COPD, sepsis, abnormal labs, pneumonia)
• Non-oncology diagnoses admitted for similar reasons

Skills and Competencies

• Medical-Surgical/Telemetry nursing
• Cardiac monitoring and emergency response including dysrhythmia interpretation and management
• Unit-based telemetry monitoring
• IV insulin protocols (endocrine/metabolic)
• Feeding tube care and management (gastrointestinal)
• Pre/Post hemodialysis and renal failure management (genitourinary/renal)
• IV therapy and phlebotomy: blood product administration, central/peripheral line care, PICC line management, starting IVs
• Medication management: heparin protocols, cardiac drips (no titration), PCA (patient-controlled analgesia)
• Respiratory care: external CPAP/BIPAP, high flow nasal cannula, ABG interpretation, oxygen delivery devices, non-invasive airway management, tracheostomy care

Provider Support Services

• Interpretation services
• Pharmacy
• Physical therapy
• Radiology
• Rapid response teams
• Respiratory services
• Social services
• Transportation

Background and Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start (including SS trace, counties lived/worked, nationwide, sex offender, MVR if driving)
• Monthly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG monitoring
• Education accreditation verification required (accredited nursing programs)
• Fingerprinting: Ohio BCI & FBI fingerprinting required within 1 year of start; must be completed under specific code; new fingerprinting required if break in service >90 days or results older than 1 year
• Pending background check attestation required if fingerprint results are pending

Additional Certifications (may be required depending on unit)

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) for certain units (effective 11/13/25)
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) for ER, ER OB, ER Psych
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Procedure) for L&D, Post-Partum, OB
• EFM (Electronic Fetal Monitoring)
• NIH Stroke Certification for ICU, PCU, ED, Brain & Spine units
• Orientation Safety Manual Acknowledgement (annual)
• State License Verification within 30 days of start
• NURSYS Verification for RNs

Competency Exams

• Medication Test/Pharmacology Competency Exam (required for all RN/LVN candidates prior to start)
• Unit-specific competency exams
• Dysrhythmia/EKG Competency Exam required annually for all RNs (with some unit exceptions)

Health Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start confirming good health and free of contagious disease
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine (adult dose after age 11/12)
• Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year; TB questionnaire required annually
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): 2 vaccines or positive titer; boosters required if low titer
• Hepatitis B titer or 3-vaccine series (declination acceptable)
• Varicella: 2 vaccines or positive titer; medical exemptions reviewed
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start (no pending tests allowed)
• Seasonal flu vaccination or declination (mask required if declined during flu season)
• COVID-19 vaccination not required but recommended; proof of primary vaccination collected if available

References and Documentation

• Two professional references required; at least one from a manager or formal leadership
• Employment application required including education for nursing candidates
• Skills checklist required

Facility Policies

• Dress code and hand hygiene policy acknowledgment required
• Confidential Fraud, Waste, Abuse, and Compliance Reporting training and acknowledgment required
• Ethics and compliance policies must be reviewed and signed annually

This position offers a unique opportunity to work in a secure corrections healthcare environment with a focus on oncology and medical-surgical nursing, requiring strong clinical skills, adaptability to floating between units, and compliance with strict background and health requirements.