Cardiac Stepdown (PCU) RN
San Francisco, California
UCSF Health Medical Center

Job Opportunity: Stepdown Cardiac Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: San Francisco, California
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• 12-hour rotating shifts (day/night) including weekends
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:3 to 1:4 in Cardiac Transitional Care Unit (CV TCU) / Progressive Care Unit (PCU)
• Must be able to float to other facilities within the system
• Telemetry experience required, including interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
• Preferred experience in transplant care

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in California
• Minimum 2 years of experience in Progressive Care Unit (PCU), with at least some experience within the last year
• Telemetry experience
• Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Current American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Certifications & Competencies

• BLS and ACLS (AHA certified)
• Pass/Fail Telemetry Exam on orientation day (required for all RNs working in telemetry units)
• Medication/Pharmacology Competency Exam (passing score 80% or higher)
• Unit-specific Competency Exam (passing score 80% or higher)
• Core Parts I, II, and III competency exams annually (passing score 80% or higher)
• Other certifications may be required depending on unit assignment (e.g., PALS, NRP, CHEMO, TNCC, EFM)

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start date
• Fit mask test within 1 year (specific approved mask types required)
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine within 10 years (declinations not accepted except medical exemptions)
• Two negative TB tests (PPD, QuantiFERON, or Tspot) with specific timing requirements
• Annual TB questionnaire within 30 days of start
• Immunity or vaccination documentation for:

  • Measles (Rubeola)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B (titer, series, or declination)
  • Varicella
• Standard 9-panel drug test (excluding THC) within 30 days of start, re-run every 2 years
• Seasonal flu vaccination or facility-specific declination required during flu season
• COVID-19 vaccination or approved exemption required

Background & Compliance Checks

• 7-year criminal background check including multiple county and nationwide databases
• Education verification (copy of diploma or transcript acceptable)
• Primary source license verification within 30 days of start
• Sex offender search as required
• Employment and reference verification covering 7 years of work history
• Two supervisory references required (one from most recent or within last year)
• Completion of facility-specific learning modules prior to or within the first week of assignment
• Completion of cybersecurity and HIPAA training and quizzes with passing scores

Additional Requirements

• Must complete facility-specific documents including COVID-19 questionnaires and attestation forms
• Must review and comply with parking, uniform, and other facility policies
• Must be prepared for pass/fail testing on medication and telemetry knowledge on orientation day
• Ability to float to other units/facilities as needed

Experience & Travel Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of specialty experience in Cardiovascular TCU/PCU
• No explicit requirement for prior travel experience mentioned

This position is ideal for experienced cardiac stepdown nurses who are comfortable with telemetry monitoring, managing dysrhythmias, and working rotating shifts in a fast-paced environment. Compliance with extensive health, background, and competency requirements is mandatory.