PCU Registered Nurse
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital

Registered Nurse – PCU (Travel/Contract)

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Contract Length: 16 weeks

Job Overview

• Work on a busy mixed acuity surgical oncology unit caring for Progressive Care Unit (PCU) and Medical-Surgical patients.
• Unit diagnoses include surgical oncology (breast, thyroid, melanoma), hepatobiliary cancers (liver, pancreas, spleen, biliary tract, neuroendocrine), colorectal cancers, and plastics (reconstructive breast cancer or sarcoma).
• Patient age groups: Adults and Geriatrics.
• Shift: Night shift, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 PM – 7:30 AM). Rotating day/night shifts possible depending on unit needs.
• Staffing ratio goal: 1 nurse to 4 patients, sometimes 1:5.
• Weekend shifts vary based on unit needs.
• No set/blocked scheduling; shift assignments reviewed every 4 weeks but subject to change.
• Travelers may be required to float within their scope of practice.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio.
• Minimum 1 year of recent experience in a Progressive Care Unit (PCU).
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification.

Clinical Skills & Procedures

• Chemotherapy administration.
• Blood transfusions.
• IV antibiotics.
• Management of oncologic emergencies including cytokine release syndrome.
• Insulin and heparin drip management.
• Strong focus on infection prevention protocols and patient fall prevention.

Certifications Required

• Basic Life Support (BLS) – AHA provider or instructor accepted.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – AHA provider or instructor accepted.
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification.

Preferred:

• Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Chemotherapy certification.

Technology

• Electronic charting using EPIC system.

Licensure

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license for Ohio.
• License verification required within 30 days of start.

Background & Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, including SS trace, counties lived/worked, nationwide check, sex offender registry, and motor vehicle record if driving is required.
• FBI and BCI fingerprinting required using specific Ohio codes; must be completed within 1 year of start. New fingerprinting required if break in service exceeds 90 days or prior results are older than 1 year.
• Education verification: Must be a graduate of an accredited nursing program (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA).
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start (includes amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine, methadone, methaqualone, opiates, PCP, propoxyphene).
• Physical exam within 1 year of start confirming good health and free of contagious disease.
• Annual compliance training including fraud, waste, and abuse training certificate.
• Background check and license monitoring monthly as applicable.

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine (adult dose after age 11/12).
• Negative TB test (PPD, QGold, or TSPOT) within 1 year or chest x-ray if positive. Annual TB questionnaire required.
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): 2 vaccines or positive titer; boosters required if low titer and no vaccine proof.
• Varicella: 2 vaccines or positive titer; medical exemptions require documentation.
• Hepatitis B: Titer or 3-vaccine series; declination accepted.
• Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season (Oct 1 – Mar 31); mask required if declining.
• COVID-19 vaccination not required but recommended.
• Fit mask test (N95) required annually for inpatient/patient-facing roles starting 7/13/2026.

Additional Requirements

• 2 professional references required; at least one must be from a manager or formal leadership.
• Employment application and skills checklist required.
• Unit-specific competency exams including medication/pharmacology and dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam within 1 year of start (with remediation process if failed).
• Orientation safety manual acknowledgment annually.
• Stroke education (BEFAST) continuing education required annually for stroke-capable areas.

Notes

• Parking permits available for agency staff (costs and options vary).
• Shift assignments and floating requirements depend on unit staffing needs.
• No guaranteed fixed schedule; flexibility required.

This position is ideal for experienced RNs with oncology or surgical med-surg background seeking a travel contract in a high-acuity PCU setting with rotating shifts and a focus on oncology patient care.