Medical-Surgical Trauma RN
Saint Louis, Missouri
Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Registered Nurse – Medical Surgical (Trauma)

Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Overview

• Unit: Medical Surgical – Trauma (Level I Trauma Center)
• Shift: Night, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
• Patient Ratios: 1:4 to 1:6
• Guaranteed Hours: Yes
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• Floating: Yes, within scope to meet facility needs
• Local candidates within 75-mile radius not accepted
• Pending license accepted
• Block scheduling not accommodated
• Return to Office (RTO) restrictions: No more than 7 days off per 13-week contract; missed shifts should be made up ASAP

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum 5 years of Registered Nurse experience in specialty
• Must pass Relias EKG exam (Interpretation/Management of Dysrhythmias required)
• Experience with:

  • Med/Surg care
  • Blood product administration
  • Peripheral line care/management
  • Phlebotomy and IV starts
  • Insulin administration
  • PCA management
  • Care of spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic trauma
  • Peripheral nerve block catheters
  • Total joint replacements
  • Surgical drains, chest tubes (Emerson/Pleur-evac)
  • Respiratory support: CPAP/BiPAP, High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC), nasal cannula, oxygen face masks, portable oxygen tanks
  • Oral suctioning
  • Isolation precautions
  • Wound care including Wound Vac
  • Level 1 trauma experience
• Patient diagnoses typically from ED, OR, or ICU
• Patient populations include geriatric trauma (55+), abuse/violence victims, motor vehicle accidents, falls, acute care surgery (appendicitis, gallbladders, hernia repairs, fistulas, wounds, burns, TBI)
• Use of special equipment such as lifts, restraints, wound vacs, traction, external fixators

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support) – AHA only
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) – AHA only
• TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course) – required if extending past 9 months in Burn ICU; check unit-specific requirements
• Other certifications may be required based on unit (e.g., PALS, NRP, CPI, MAB) – verify with unit description
• Dysrhythmia/EKG Competency Exam (Relias Basic Dysrhythmia) – must be completed within 1 year of start and updated annually

Licensure

• Valid Registered Nurse license for Missouri (pending licenses accepted)
• Primary source verification required (NURSYS for Missouri)

Compliance & Background Requirements

• Government-issued ID required
• Criminal background check within 6 months, including statewide and nationwide searches
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks, run quarterly
• Education verification of highest nursing degree required before start
• Fingerprinting required for assignments involving Illinois long-term care or rehab units
• State-specific searches and registries as applicable (Missouri and Illinois)
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, must include specific panels and be valid throughout assignment
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Fit mask testing (N95) required and must be renewed annually
• Immunizations and health screenings required:

  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray (with yearly TB questionnaire)
  • Tdap vaccine or declination (expires every 10 years)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella immunity or vaccination/declination as applicable
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season (Sept 30 – Apr 1)
• Hepatitis B declination required (vaccination not mandatory)

Orientation & Facility Policies

• Orientation modules required for all RNs, completed via online platform (approx. 16 hours)
• Facility policies to review and sign prior to start: HIPAA, Latex Allergy, Confidentiality, Hand Hygiene, Fingernail, Dress Code
• Badge photo required (head and shoulders, white background, no obstructions, taken within 6 months)
• Vehicle registration required for day shift workers (not applicable for night shift)
• Parking available with monthly passes (fees apply except for straight night shifts)

Additional Requirements

• Two professional references required (supervisors preferred, within last year if possible)
• Unit-specific skills checklist required within 1 year of start
• Competency exams required annually, including medication/pharmacology and unit-specific exams
• No on-call requirement

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Missouri
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Minimum 5 years of Med Surg nursing experience, including experience within the last year
• Experience working with Level 1 Trauma patients
• Current ACLS certification
• Current BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Successful completion of an EKG exam (Interpretation/Management of Dysrhythmias)
• Phlebotomy skills
• Experience with peripheral nerve block catheters