Surgical Short-Stay Observation RN
Charleston, South Carolina
MUSC Health West Ashley Pavilion

Registered Nurse (RN) - Surgical Short Stay/Observation

Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Position Details

• Specialty: RN Surgical Short Stay/Observation
• Shift: 3x12 hour shifts, 6:00 PM - 6:00 AM (Monday - Thursday)
• No Fridays, Weekends, or Holidays Required
• Patient Ratio: Max 1:6, typically 1:3
• On-call: No
• Floating: Possible float to another Observation unit or days off if census is low

Unit Description

• Six-bay, 23-hour observation unit inside a surgery center PACU within a large clinic
• Staffing model: usually 2 RNs and 1 PCT; some nights may have 1 RN and 1 PCT
• Building security present overnight, moves inside surgery center waiting room after 8 PM
• Patient population includes Orthopedics (total joints, arthroscopy, hand, shoulder & elbow cases), Interventional Radiology (VIR), and GI (upper and lower scopes)
• Close collaboration with surgeons, anesthesia, and OR nurses in a fast-paced environment

Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 2 years required
• First-timers: Accepted
• Licensure: South Carolina RN license or Multi-State/Compact RN license
• Certifications:

  • BLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA certification required
  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) - AHA certification required
• Trauma Level: Not required

Scheduling & Work Conditions

• Block scheduling possible with manager approval, dependent on unit needs
• Local radius: 60 miles
• Locals accepted on a case-by-case basis
• Facility may call off 1 shift per 2 weeks (guaranteed hours)

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Background Checks:

  • Annual background check covering all locations lived/worked in past 7 years
  • Includes SSN trace, statewide and national criminal checks, sex offender registry, FACIS 3, EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG
• Licensure Verification:

  • Primary source verification required
  • NURSYS verification required for all RNs
  • SC RN license processing time: 3-5 weeks (longer for international education)
  • Temporary "walk-through" license option available under certain conditions
• Education Verification:

  • Diploma or transcripts preferred as placeholder if verification pending
• References: Proof of 2 clinical references required
• Employment History: Verification of last 3 clinical employers required
• Skills Checklist: Must be updated annually

Health & Safety Requirements

• Physical Exam: Initial and annual updates required
• Fit Mask Test: N95 fit test within 90 days prior to start, renewed annually
• Immunizations & Titers:

  • Tdap within 10 years or declination form
  • Negative TB test (T-spot or Q-Gold) within 90 days or chest x-ray if prior positive
  • Annual TB questionnaire
  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella: Positive titer or 2 vaccines, boosters if low titer
  • Hepatitis B: Titer, vaccine series, or declination required
  • Varicella: Positive titer or 2 vaccines, boosters if low titer
• Drug Testing: 10-panel drug screen within 90 days of start, no instant tests
• Seasonal Vaccinations:

  • Flu vaccine required during flu season or medical/religious exemption (no declinations accepted)
  • COVID vaccine not required but highly preferred; declination form required if not vaccinated

Orientation & Facility Specifics

• Completion of orientation modules (approx. 2 hours) required before starting
• First Day Instructions (FDI) and OurDay platform used for compliance and documentation uploads
• Passport-style photo required for badge
• Upload COVID and flu vaccination documentation into OurDay platform
• Radiation badge may be required depending on unit (process managed separately)

Additional Notes

• Candidates must renew certifications if expiring within 30 days of start date
• Floating may be required within scope to meet facility needs
• Facility reserves the right to call off shifts based on census and staffing needs

This position offers a structured schedule with no weekends or holidays, a focused patient population in a surgical observation setting, and requires standard RN licensure and certifications with thorough compliance and health documentation.