Surgical PCU Registered Nurse
Roanoke, Virginia
Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital

Registered Nurse – Surgical PCU (Ventilator Experience Required)

Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: Up to 26 weeks

Shift Details

• Night shift: 4 shifts of 12 hours each (6:45 PM – 7:15 AM)
• Weekend requirement: Every other weekend or 6 weekend shifts within a 6-week block
• Must work one holiday per 13-week contract
• Call-off policy: Facility may call off 1 shift per 2 weeks
• Floating: Required to float within skillset

Required Certifications

• ACLS (American Heart Association only)
• BLS (American Heart Association only)
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)

Required Clinical Skills

• Cardiac monitoring, emergency response, and dysrhythmia interpretation/management
• IV therapy, phlebotomy, blood product administration, and central/peripheral line care
• Ventilator care for chronic tracheostomy patients (non-ICU level)
• Medication administration including cardiac drips (no titration)
• Respiratory support: nasal cannula, oxygen administration, CPAP, and BiPAP
• Rapid Response and Code team activation
• Isolation precautions and telemetry settings across PCU, DOU, IMC, and stepdown units

Unit Details

• Nurse-to-patient ratio typically 1:5; staffing goal 1:4
• Functions as a stepdown unit from General Surgical ICU with bariatric specialty and trauma backup
• Equipment used includes ortho equipment, chest tubes, surgical drains, tracheostomy, endotracheal tools, PICC lines, and MML
• IV drips managed: Cardizem, Heparin, Insulin, low-dose dopamine/dobutamine, Amiodarone, Nitro, Bumex, Lasix, Lidocaine, Ketamine
• Remote telemetry monitors remain on unit; tele-sitting implemented to increase Patient Care Tech coverage

Required Licenses and Experience

• Active Virginia State RN license or Compact RN license required; pending license accepted only if single-state non-compact license held
• Ventilator experience required
• Accepts first-time travel nurses (no prior travel experience required)

Required Documentation and Compliance

• Valid Driver’s License/State ID with address within 100 miles of facility required within 48 hours of signing
• E-Verify or attestation required
• 7-year background check covering all locations lived/worked in past 7 years (not required annually unless 30+ day break between assignments)
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start and updated for renewals
• Education verification of highest earned degree required; transcript or diploma required for PCU
• NURSYS verification required within 30 days of start
• Physical exam within 1 year confirming freedom from communicable diseases
• Fit mask test within 1 year, updated annually (specific mask types accepted)
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year, updated annually
• Required immunizations or positive titers: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 30 days of start
• Flu vaccination documentation or signed declination with masking requirement during flu season
• Professional photo for badge (no selfies or filters)
• Completion of new hire paperwork and compliance checklists prior to start
• References: 2 clinical references or hospital evaluation
• Skills checklist updated annually

Additional Notes

• Charting experience with EPIC required
• Locals accepted within radius rule
• Orientation manual review required prior to start (not required for inpatient RNs)
• Must submit all scheduling requests with application

This position offers an opportunity to work in a high-acuity surgical progressive care unit with a focus on ventilator and cardiac care in a Level I Trauma Center environment.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Virginia
• Minimum 1 year of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• ACLS certification (American Heart Association)
• BLS certification issued by American Heart Association
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Ventilator care experience for chronic tracheostomy patients
• Emergency response experience
• Central and peripheral line care experience
• Experience with Rapid Response and Code team activation
• Experience floating within skillset
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system