Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse
Lexington, Kentucky
University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - PCU

Location: Lexington, Kentucky
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 14 weeks

Job Description

• Requires 2 years recent ICU experience.
• Must have 1 year of Level 1 trauma experience in a high acuity Progressive Care Unit (PCU).
• Will float between ICU and other PCU units.
• No first-time travelers accepted.
• Must have critical thinking skills and be able to work with patients who may require rapid response.
• Experience in PCU, Med/Surg, and Telemetry required.
• Orientation provided for other transitional units.
• Available contracts are 36 or 48 hours per week.
• Local travelers within 100 miles are not accepted.

Required Certifications

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) - AHA only, RQI accepted.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA only, RQI accepted.
• NIH Stroke Certification.
• TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course) - must not expire during contract.
• Pass/Fail Testing (EKG/Medication) - required for ICU, PCU/Stepdown, Telemetry, and other critical units.
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) Blue Card - can be completed onsite.
• Other certifications may be required depending on unit assignment (e.g., PALS, NRP, CHEMO, EFM).

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Kentucky.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Minimum 2 years of recent ICU experience.
• Minimum 1 year of Level 1 trauma experience in a high-acuity Progressive Care Unit (PCU).
• At least 1 year of PCU experience within the last year.
• Experience working with Level 1 trauma patients.
• Experience in Med/Surg and Telemetry nursing.
• Prior completion of at least one travel nursing assignment.
• Current ACLS certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Current BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Current TNCC certification.
• Current CPI certification.
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification.
• Pass/Fail testing for EKG and medication competency.

Background and Compliance Requirements

• Background checks including county and national criminal searches, sex offender search, FACIS III, education verification, and transcript/diploma verification.
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks updated annually.
• Employment verification for the last 7 years.
• Two professional references verified within 6 months of start.
• Skills checklists updated annually.
• Pass/Fail EKG exam with strict passing criteria and limited attempts.

Health and Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start, signed by MD, NP, or PA.
• Fit mask test within 1 year, updated annually.
• Immunizations or titers required for:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (within 10 years)
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray (annual renewal)
  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella (MMR vaccines or positive titer)
  • Hepatitis B (positive titer, series, or declination)
  • Varicella (vaccines or positive titer)
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, updated annually.
• Seasonal flu vaccination/documentation required annually (medical/religious exemptions accepted).
• COVID vaccination series or medical/religious exemption required; booster preferred but not required.

Work Schedule

• Contracts available for 36 or 48 hours per week.

Additional Notes

• Must be able to pass multiple competency exams including medication/pharmacology, math ability, and unit-specific competency exams.
• Candidates must renew all expiring documents prior to clearance.
• No local travelers within 100 miles accepted for this assignment.

This position is ideal for experienced ICU RNs with trauma and PCU expertise who have prior travel contract experience and meet the comprehensive certification and compliance requirements.