ICU Registered Nurse
Valdosta, Georgia
South Georgia Medical Center

ICU Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Job - Valdosta, Georgia

Position Overview

• Specialty: Registered Nurse (ICU)
• Patient Age Group: Adults and Geriatrics
• Shift: Day shift, 4 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM)
• Contract Length: 8 weeks
• Float Requirements: ICU, Cardiac Progressive Unit (CPU), occasional float to Progressive Care Unit (PCU), rarely to Medical-Surgical/Telemetry (max 4 patients)
• Weekend Shifts: 6 weekend shifts every 6 weeks
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: 1:3-4 in cardiac progressive stepdown area (8 beds)
• Patient Diagnoses: Cardiac conditions including cardiothoracic surgical patients (travelers do not take fresh open heart patients)

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse license in Georgia
• Minimum 2 years of ICU (Intensive Care Unit) nursing experience, including experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• ACLS certification issued by American Heart Association
• BLS certification issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• NIHSS certification
• NRP certification
• PALS certification issued by American Heart Association

Systems & Documentation

• Medication System: Omnicell
• Documentation System: EPIC

Testing & Orientation Requirements

• Pass/Fail Exams at orientation (two attempts allowed):

  • Medication Exam (required for all RNs)
  • EKG Exam (required for ICU, Stepdown, and related units)
  • Critical Care Exam (BKAT) (required for ICU units except NICU, Telemetry, and Stepdown)
• Study guides provided for all exams
• EPIC testing on day 1
• Competency check-off required prior to start

Work Hours & Scheduling Notes

• Guaranteed hours vary by shift length:

  • 3 shifts of 12 hours = 36 hours/week
  • 4 shifts of 12 hours = 48 hours/week
• Called off hour rules apply incrementally over 2-week periods (8, 10, or 12 hours)

Health & Compliance Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year, renewed annually
• Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year (or documentation if previously positive)
• Required immunizations or positive titers for:

  • Rubeola (Measles)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B (titer, series completion, or signed declination)
  • Varicella
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap within 10 years (facility-specific declination accepted)
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 30 days of start (including Marijuana/THC)
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption required prior to start during flu season (Sept 22 - Mar 31)
• COVID-19 vaccination required or facility-specific exemption form submitted

Documentation & Onboarding

• Professional references: 2 standard references required
• Employment application required
• Photo for badge: passport-style with white background (no selfies)
• Facility-specific documents including:

  • Job description acknowledgment
  • Handbook and dress code acknowledgment
  • Confidentiality agreement
  • Drug and alcohol policy
  • First day information
  • Scrub color guidelines (Ceil Blue for ICU RNs)
  • Net Learning modules to be completed before start
• Driver’s license and Social Security card must be submitted
• Background check within 30 days of start including SSN trace, 7-year county residence, nationwide search, and sex offender search

Additional Notes

• Travelers do not take fresh open heart surgery patients
• Prior travel experience is not required; first-time travelers are welcome
• Mask fit testing completed at orientation
• Fingerprinting not required for RNs in Georgia (only CNAs and Recreational Therapists)
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification required only for ER travelers after 1 year at facility (not applicable here)

This position offers a challenging ICU travel nursing opportunity with a focus on cardiac and progressive care patients in a supportive environment with structured orientation and testing.