Step Down Registered Nurse
New Orleans, Louisiana
Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans

Travel Registered Nurse - Step Down Unit

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 12 weeks

Job Overview

• Assignment may include being part of an "Emergency Team" during emergency events, requiring you to stay at the facility until the event passes or serve on a relief team.
• Unit does not accept first-time travelers.
• Float requirement within the facility.
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system is required.

Patient Population / Diagnoses

• Pre-liver transplant
• Acute/chronic liver failure
• End Stage Renal Disease
• Diabetic ketoacidosis
• Sepsis
• Acute/chronic respiratory failure
• Heart failure

Special Procedures / Unit Details

• Hospice care
• Immunoglobulin therapy

Required Certifications

• BLS issued by American Heart Association
• ACLS issued by American Heart Association

Requirements / Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Louisiana
• Minimum of 1 year of recent experience in Progressive Care Unit (PCU) / Step Down Unit
• At least one completed travel nursing assignment
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system

Required Background and Compliance Checks

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, updated annually
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start and updated monthly
• Education verification (transcript/diploma acceptable if verification cannot be completed)
• Sex offender search within 30 days of start, updated monthly
• Competency exam specific to specialty, completed within 1 year prior to start, minimum 80%, updated annually

Health and Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 12 months prior to start, indicating good physical health
• Negative TB test (PPD, Qgold, or Tspot) within 12 months, updated annually; if positive, additional documentation required
• Immunizations or titers required for:

  • Rubeola (Measles)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B
  • Varicella
• Tdap vaccine required for select units (ED, Pediatrics, Mother/Baby, NICU)
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 60 days of start, updated annually
• Seasonal flu vaccination, declination, or medical/religious exemption required during flu season (Oct 1 - Apr 30)

Additional Requirements

• Photo for badge: full color, passport-style, taken within last 6 months
• Skills checklist updated annually
• Employment application/resume required with 7 years of employment history and explanations for gaps
• Candidates must be comfortable with emergency event assignments as described

Experience Requirements

• Prior travel experience is required (unit does not accept first-time travelers)
• Specialty: Registered Nurse - Step Down Unit
• Years of experience: Not explicitly stated, but given the unit does not accept first-time travelers, prior clinical experience is expected

This job requires flexibility, strong clinical skills in critical care step-down settings, and compliance with all licensure, certification, and health requirements.