RN Medical-Surgical/Telemetry – Neuro/Stroke
Columbia, South Carolina
Palmetto Health Richland

Registered Nurse - MS/Tele Unit

Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

Provide nursing care for adult patients with embolic and hemorrhagic strokes, seizures (epileptic and non-epileptic), and neurosurgical cases including shunt revisions, tumor removals, and craniotomies/cranioplasties. Stroke care follows American Heart Association guidelines for Comprehensive Stroke Center designation.

Patient Population & Unit Details

• Adults with stroke (embolic & hemorrhagic)
• Seizures (epileptic & non-epileptic)
• Neurosurgical patients (shunt revisions, tumor removals, craniotomies/cranioplasties)
• Heparin is the sole IV drip used
• Ratios: 1 nurse to 4-5 patients

Required Skills & Competencies

• Proficient in starting IVs, accessing ports, managing PICC and central lines, peripheral IV care, and blood product administration
• Respiratory care skills including high flow nasal cannula (HFNC), nasal cannula, and tracheostomy management
• Cardiac monitoring with telemetry (remote), dysrhythmia interpretation and management, and Rapid Response Team participation
• Neuro experience including care for CVA, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and pre/post neurosurgery
• Feeding tube care, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), heparin protocols, continuous bladder irrigation, isolation precautions, and surgical drain management
• Must have 1 year of EPIC charting experience

Schedule & Floating

• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• Call-off Policy: Allowed 1 shift call-off per 2 weeks
• Floating required to other units or campuses as needed, limited to qualified areas with documented competencies

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in South Carolina
• Minimum 1 year of Med Surg / Telemetry nursing experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• ACLS certification issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• BLS certification issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Proficiency in accessing ports, managing PICC and central lines
• Proficiency in high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and tracheostomy management
• Proficiency in dysrhythmia management and experience with Rapid Response Team use
• Proficiency in continuous bladder irrigation
• Neurology experience
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system

Additional Requirements

• Background check including 7-year history, EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG, and others as required
• Photo for badge with specific guidelines (passport style, no filters, light background)
• Compliance with floating policy and contractor acknowledgment forms
• Must complete pre-assignment testing within 72 hours of assignment notification
• Must have documentation of education verification and employment history covering 7 years
• Annual competency exams and core training modules (Parts I, II, III) including OSHA and patient safety goals

Notes

• First-time travelers are accepted
• Locals accepted within radius rules
• Pending licenses are not accepted; active license required before start
• Floating is prioritized to home unit but may be required elsewhere as needed
• Facility is a Level I Adult Trauma Center with advanced specialty programs

This position requires a dedicated RN with neuro and telemetry experience, strong clinical skills, and the ability to adapt to a dynamic hospital environment with floating responsibilities.