Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse
Lexington, Kentucky
University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - Progressive Care Unit

Location: Lexington, Kentucky
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 14 weeks

Unit Description

• Acute progressive care unit with a focus on heavy Trauma and GI post-operative patients.
• Level 1-2 trauma experience required.
• Experience with trauma/general surgery post-op patients, especially abdominal surgeries.
• Must be skilled in managing tracheostomies, Foley catheters, surgical drains, surgical oncology, wound vacs, ostomies, ports, PICCs, TPN, and lipids.
• Telemetry experience required.
• First-time travelers will be considered if they have Level 1 trauma experience.
• Local travelers within 100 miles are not accepted.

Required Certifications

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) - AHA or RQI accepted.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA or RQI accepted.
• TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course) - Must be current and cannot expire during contract.
• NIH Stroke Certification.
• Pass/Fail Testing (EKG/Medication) - Must pass facility's advanced dysrhythmia exam.
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) Blue Card - can be completed onsite.
• Other certifications may be required based on unit specifics (e.g., CHEMO, EFM, NRP, PALS/ENPC).

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Kentucky.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Minimum of 1 year of recent Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience.
• Experience working with Level 1 and Level 2 Trauma patients.
• Strong clinical skills in trauma and surgical oncology care.
• Experience managing ports, PICCs, TPN, and lipids.
• Telemetry monitoring experience.
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification or experience.

Background and Compliance Requirements

• Background checks including county and national criminal searches, sex offender search, and education verification.
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, updated annually.
• Physical exam within 1 year of start, signed by MD, NP, or PA.
• Immunizations and health screenings required and must be current:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (within 10 years)
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray if positive history
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella immunity or vaccination
  • Hepatitis B immunity or declination
  • Varicella immunity or vaccination
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption
  • COVID vaccination series or approved exemption (booster preferred but not required)
• Fit mask testing within 1 year, updated annually.

Competency and Skills Verification

• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam (passing score 80% or higher).
• Color blindness testing.
• Unit-specific competency exams, updated annually.
• RN Math Ability competency exam, updated annually.
• Skills checklists, updated annually.
• Pass/Fail EKG exam with strict passing criteria and limited retake attempts.

Additional Requirements

• Two professional references verified within 6 months of start.
• Employment history verification for the past 7 years.
• Explanation required for any employment gaps longer than 30 days.
• Must sign facility policies including confidentiality, acceptable use, electronic communications, and password policies prior to start.

Notes

• Prior travel experience is not required; first-time travelers are welcome with appropriate trauma experience.
• Candidates must have a renewal plan in place for any certifications or documents expiring during the contract.
• This position requires strong clinical skills in trauma and post-operative care within a progressive care setting.