Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital

Travel/Contract Registered Nurse (PCU)

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Specialty: Registered Nurse
Contract Length: 16 weeks

Job Overview

• Work in a corrections health unit serving Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections inmates.
• Float between Oncology Medical-Surgical (MS) units and Progressive Care Unit (PCU) as needed.
• Ensure staff safety in a secure, locked corrections environment with controlled access by Corrections Officers.
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:3 in PCU, 1:4-5 in MS.
• Shifts may include days, nights, or rotating 12-hour shifts, with scheduling reviewed every 4 weeks.

Preferred Experience

• Oncology experience preferred but not required.
• EPIC charting experience required.

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA only (Instructor/Provider and RQI acceptable).
• Additional certifications may be required depending on unit (e.g., ACLS for some units starting 11/13/25).

Required Licenses

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license for Ohio.
• License verification required within 30 days of start.
• NURSYS verification required for RNs.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Medical-Surgical and telemetry nursing skills.
• Cardiac monitoring and emergency response, including dysrhythmia interpretation and unit-based telemetry monitoring.
• IV therapy and phlebotomy skills, including blood product administration, central/peripheral line and PICC line care, and starting IVs.
• Management of endocrine/metabolic protocols (IV insulin), gastrointestinal feeding tubes, genitourinary/renal care including pre/post hemodialysis.
• Respiratory care including CPAP/BIPAP, High Flow Nasal Cannula, ABG interpretation, tracheostomy management, and oxygen therapy.
• Medication management including heparin protocols, cardiac drips (no titration), and PCA.

Patient Population

• Patients with active oncology diagnoses and treatments (solid tumors, hematology).
• Oncology workup admissions and history of cancer admitted for other reasons (e.g., surgery, COPD, sepsis).
• Non-oncology diagnoses requiring medical-surgical care.

Systems Utilized

• Medication system: Pyxis
• Documentation system: EPIC

Background and Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check including FBI and BCI fingerprinting required prior to start.
• Monthly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG monitoring required.
• Education accreditation confirmation required for nursing degree from accredited programs (CCNE, ACEN, NLN CNEA, CASN).
• Ohio BCI & FBI fingerprinting must be completed using specific codes and within 1 year of start.
• Pending background check attestation required if fingerprint results are pending at start.
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start, no pending results allowed.
• Physical exam within 1 year of start confirming good health and free of contagious disease.
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • Tdap vaccine (adult dose after age 11/12)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year
  • TB questionnaire
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) - 2 vaccines or positive titer
  • Hepatitis B titer or 3-vaccine series (declination acceptable)
  • Varicella - 2 vaccines or positive titer (medical exemption requires documentation)
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season (10/1 - 3/31)
• COVID vaccination not required but strongly recommended.

Competency Exams

• Medication Test/Pharmacology Competency Exam required prior to start.
• Unit-specific competency exam required.
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 1 year of start and updated annually (minimum passing score 76%).

Additional Requirements

• 2 professional references required, including at least 1 from a manager or formal leadership.
• Employment application required including education verification.
• Skills checklist required.
• Annual orientation safety manual acknowledgement.
• Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training certificate required prior to start and updated annually.
• Dress code and hand hygiene policy review and signature required.
• Ethics and compliance policies must be reviewed and acknowledged annually.

Prior Travel Experience

• No explicit requirement for prior travel experience mentioned.

This position offers a unique opportunity to work in a secure corrections healthcare environment with a focus on oncology and medical-surgical nursing, requiring strong clinical skills, adaptability, and compliance with rigorous background and health requirements.