Step-Down Registered Nurse
Auburn, New York
Auburn Community Hospital

Job Opportunity: Step-Down Registered Nurse

Location: Auburn, New York
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Shift: Night (4 shifts per week, 12 hours each; 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit & Patient Population

• Step-Down unit with patient ratio approximately 1:4-5
• Common diagnoses:

  • Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
  • Post heart catheterization
  • Post vascular procedures
  • Respiratory failure requiring BiPAP/CPAP/Vapotherm
  • Cardiac dysrhythmias

Unit Procedures & Expectations

• Post-heart catheterization care including TR bands
• Post-vascular procedure monitoring
• Frequent vital signs and neurovascular checks

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support) – AHA certified
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) – AHA certified
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) certification

Required Skills & Competencies

• Cardiac/Emergency:

  • Cardiac monitoring and dysrhythmia interpretation/management
  • 12-lead EKG/ECG interpretation
• IV/Vascular:

  • IV start and maintenance
  • PICC line management
  • Blood product administration
• Medications:

  • Emergency medications
  • Procedural sedation administration and monitoring
  • Cardiac drip titration
• Neurological:

  • CVA/Acute stroke management
• Respiratory/Thoracic:

  • BiPAP/CPAP management
  • Assist with chest tube insertion/removal
• Professional skills:

  • Infection prevention and isolation precautions/PPE
  • Phlebotomy

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of recent Step-Down nursing experience

Orientation & Testing

• Must pass a telemetry assessment (minimum 80%) on the first day of orientation covering cardiac rhythm interpretation, arrhythmia identification, and clinical interventions
• Remediation provided if initial assessment is not passed

Background & Compliance Requirements

• Unexpired government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License or State ID)
• Background check within 1 year covering all locations lived/worked/schooled in past 7 years (instant state searches not accepted)
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks prior to start
• Primary source verification of RN license prior to start and upon expiration
• NURSYS verification prior to start
• Review and sign facility-specific documents including Code of Conduct, Patient Abuse Reporting, Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement, Orientation Packet, and Automated Dispensing Cabinet Security (for Pyxis access)
• Annual Tuberculosis screening questionnaire and negative TB test or chest x-ray as applicable
• Physical exam completed within 12 months prior to start, signed by licensed provider
• Fit mask test within 12 months and updated annually
• Immunizations/vaccinations required:

  • TDAP (within last 10 years or declination)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella immunity (2 MMR vaccines or serologic titers)
  • Hepatitis B series, titer, or signed declination
  • Varicella immunity (2 vaccines, positive titer, or documented history)
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season
  • COVID vaccine records or declination
• 9-panel drug screen within 30 days of start (instant/rapid accepted)
• Two professional references within 3 years of hire
• Skills checklist required

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid RN license in New York
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• Minimum 2 years of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience, with at least 1 year within the last year
• BLS issued by American Heart Association
• ACLS issued by American Heart Association
• NIHSS certification
• Proficient in dysrhythmia interpretation and management
• PICC line management experience
• Procedural sedation administration and monitoring skills
• Cardiac drip titration experience
• CVA / Acute stroke management expertise
• Ability to assist with chest tube insertion and removal

Additional Notes

• Medication system used: Pyxis
• No blocked scheduling; every other weekend (EOW) and every other holiday (EOH) off
• Local candidates accepted (with adjusted pay rate)
• Facility does not employ telemetry technicians; nurses are responsible for telemetry strip measurement and cardiac rhythm interpretation independently

This position offers guaranteed 48 hours per week with a focus on cardiac and neurological patient care in a step-down setting during night shifts.