PCU Registered Nurse, Surgical Oncology
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital

Registered Nurse - PCU

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 16 weeks

Job Overview

• Work on a mixed acuity surgical oncology unit caring for PCU and Med Surg patients.
• Busy surgical floor with a focus on surgical oncology, hepatobiliary, colorectal, and reconstructive breast cancer or sarcoma patients.
• Staffing ratio goal: 1:4 (can be 1:5).
• Variable weekends based on unit needs.
• Rotating day/night shifts; schedule reviewed every 4 weeks but subject to change based on staffing priorities.
• Self-scheduling requests allowed but final schedule balanced by management.
• Orientation: 1 week of day shift orientation (Mon-Fri), followed by 36 hours of on-unit orientation with a preceptor.

Patient Population

• Adults and Geriatrics

Patient Diagnoses

• Surgical Oncology: breast, thyroid, melanoma
• Hepatobiliary cancers: liver, pancreas, spleen, biliary tract, neuroendocrine
• Colorectal cancers: colon, rectal
• Plastics: reconstructive breast cancer or sarcoma

Special Procedures / Unit Details

• Chemotherapy administration
• Blood transfusions
• IV antibiotics
• Management of oncologic emergencies
• Cytokine release syndrome care
• Insulin and heparin drips
• Heavy focus on infection prevention and patient fall prevention protocols

Requirements/Qualifications

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

Prior Travel Experience

• Not specified (no explicit requirement for prior travel experience)

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• NIHSS (NIH Stroke Scale Certification)

Preferred Certifications

• ONS Chemotherapy Certification

Required Licensure

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license for Ohio

Computerized Charting System

• EPIC

Background and Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check including FBI and BCI fingerprinting (must be current within 1 year)
• Education verification from accredited nursing programs (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA)
• Monthly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG monitoring
• Pending background check attestation required if fingerprint results are pending
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start (no pending drug screens allowed)
• Physical exam within 1 year of start confirming good health and free of contagious disease
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • Tdap vaccine (adult dose)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year
  • TB questionnaire
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination or positive titer
  • Hepatitis B titer or vaccine series (declination acceptable)
  • Varicella vaccination or positive titer (medical exemptions reviewed)
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season (10/1 - 3/31)
• Annual review and acknowledgment of dress code, hand hygiene, ethics, and compliance policies
• Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training certificate required prior to start and updated annually

Competency Requirements

• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam prior to start
• Unit-specific competency exam
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 1 year of start and updated annually (with remediation process if failed)

References and Documentation

• Two professional references required; at least one must be from a manager or formal leadership
• Employment application required including education verification
• Skills checklist required

Orientation and Scheduling Notes

• Orientation includes classroom and on-unit precepted training
• Rotating shifts with potential for days, nights, or combination
• Scheduling preferences submitted but final schedule determined by unit needs

This position is ideal for experienced Registered Nurses with oncology or surgical experience who are comfortable with complex patient care, chemotherapy administration, and working in a fast-paced surgical oncology environment.