IMCU/Step Down RN
Boone, North Carolina
Watauga Medical Center

Registered Nurse – Step Down Unit (Travel/Contract)

Location: Boone, North Carolina
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Night, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 PM – 7:00 AM)
Schedule Requirements:

• Weekends required: 2 per month
• Holidays required as needed
• Blocked scheduling not guaranteed
• Float within skillset as needed

Job Description

• Float pool RN for Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) / Step Down unit
• Patient ratio typically 5:1 with goal of 4:1
• Average daily census: 20-24 patients, 24 beds total
• Occasional pediatric patients; candidates must be comfortable caring for pediatric patients
• Scrubs: all navy or all white
• No candidates residing within 40 miles of the facility will be accepted

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in North Carolina
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Minimum 2 years of Stepdown experience, with at least some experience within the last year
• At least 2 years of total travel nursing experience
• Telemetry experience
• Proficiency with Epic electronic health record system
• Certifications:

  • Basic Life Support (BLS) issued by American Red Cross or American Heart Association
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) issued by American Red Cross or American Heart Association
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
  • NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License) required for address verification
• Background check: 7-year criminal history, including all locations lived/worked in past 7 years
• E-Verify or attestation proof required
• NURSYS verification for RN license
• Proof of 2 clinical references or hospital evaluations
• Performance evaluations if worked over 1 year with the agency
• Skills checklist updated annually for applicable unit
• Photo for badge: passport style, shoulders up, neutral background, no filters
• Self-study orientation and post-test completion required
• Signed accountability statements and personal data sheet required, must be re-completed after any contract break

Health & Safety Requirements

• Initial physical exam and annual updates confirming ability to meet physical demands
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year, updated annually
• Immunizations or titers within 5 years for:

  • Measles (Rubeola)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B (titer, vaccine series, or declination)
  • Varicella (2 vaccines or titer; shingles vaccine not accepted)
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption required annually during flu season (Oct 1 – Apr 30)
• 10-panel drug screen including marijuana within 90 days of start, updated annually

Additional Notes

• No Return to Office (RTO) allowed from July 5th to 18th
• Candidates must submit all required documentation prior to offer acceptance
• Facility requires strict adherence to local rules and documentation policies

This position is ideal for experienced travel RNs with strong telemetry and progressive care skills, comfortable with night shifts and floating within the IMCU/Step Down environment.