Open Heart/Thoracic PCU Nurse
Roanoke, Virginia
Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital

Registered Nurse – PCU (Open Heart/Thoracic)

Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Overview

• Unit: Open Heart/Thoracic Progressive Care Unit (PCU) / Stepdown unit
• Patient population: Post heart surgery patients in a cardiac-focused PCU setting
• Shift: Day shift, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (6:45 AM – 7:15 PM)
• Weekend requirement: Every other weekend or 6 weekend shifts within a 6-week block
• Holiday requirement: Must work one holiday per 13-week contract
• Floating: Required within skillset
• Patient ratio: Typically 4:1 goal, often 5:1

Required Experience & Skills

• Post heart surgery experience required
• Cardiac monitoring, emergency response, dysrhythmia interpretation, and activation of Rapid Response/Code teams
• IV therapy, phlebotomy, blood product administration, central/peripheral line care
• Management of cardiac drips including Cardizem, Heparin, Insulin, low-dose dopamine/dobutamine, Amiodarone, Nitro, Bumex, Lasix (no titration)
• Respiratory support skills: nasal cannula, oxygen delivery, non-invasive airway management
• EPIC charting experience required

Required Certifications

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

Licensure

• Active Virginia RN license or Compact RN license required
• Pending license accepted only if holding a single-state license from a non-compact state

Additional Requirements

• Accepts first-time travelers depending on experience (preference for experience at hospitals with 250+ beds)
• Locals accepted within radius rule (must meet facility radius criteria)
• Must provide a valid Driver’s License/State ID with an address within 100 miles of the facility
• 2 clinical references required (hospital evaluations accepted)
• Complete employment application/resume required
• Skills checklist must be updated annually

Background & Health Requirements

• 7-year background check covering all locations lived/worked in the past 7 years (not required annually unless break in assignments >30 days)
• 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/diploma required for PCU)
• Physical exam within 1 year of start, confirming freedom from communicable diseases
• Negative TB test (PPD, QGold, or TSpot) within 1 year or clear chest X-ray if previously positive, plus annual TB questionnaire
• Required immunizations or positive titers: Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 30 days of start
• Fit testing for masks within 1 year, updated annually (if applicable)
• Seasonal flu vaccination documentation or signed declination with masking requirement during flu season

Orientation & Compliance

• Must review and acknowledge facility orientation manual prior to start (not required for inpatient RNs)
• Complete facility-specific compliance and confidentiality agreements within 48 hours of signing
• Provide a professional photo for badge issuance (no selfies or filters, plain background)

Scheduling & Policies

• Call-off policy: Facility may call off 1 shift per 2 weeks
• Requests for time off must be submitted with application
• Remote telemetry monitoring and tele-sitting implemented on unit
• Trauma resident and mid-level providers available in-house

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Virginia
• Minimum 1 year of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience within the last year
• Post heart surgery nursing experience
• Current ACLS certification
• Current BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
• NIH Stroke Scale Certification (NIHSS)
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system

This position offers a specialized cardiac nursing opportunity in a high-acuity PCU setting with a focus on post-open heart and thoracic surgery care.