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

Registered Nurse – PCU (Progressive Care Unit)

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 16 weeks

Unit & Patient Care Information

• Medical Oncology unit with progressive care beds; includes some pediatric patients (rare, pediatric experience not required).
• High acuity PCU patients with a small amount of med-surg care.
• Patient diagnoses include Solid Tumor, Orthopedic Oncology, and Thoracic Oncology.
• Unit has 36 beds, with over 24 beds dedicated to PCU level of care.
• Staffing ratios:

  • Med Surg Telemetry: 1 nurse to 4-5 patients
  • PCU: 1 nurse to 3 patients
• Required to float within units of equivalent or lower acuity.
• Heavy focus on infection prevention protocols and patient fall prevention.

Schedule & Orientation

• Shift: Night shift, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (19:00–7:30).
• Self-scheduling requests allowed; final schedule balanced by department needs every 4 weeks.
• Orientation:

  • Week 1: Monday to Friday, dayshift orientation.
  • Week 2: 36 hours of on-unit orientation with a preceptor.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio.
• Minimum of 1 year of recent Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience within the last year.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).

Skills & Clinical Competencies

Required Skills:

• Interpretation of dysrhythmias and use of rapid response teams.
• Feeding tube care and management.
• Accessing ports and blood product administration.
• Central line, peripheral line, and PICC line care/management.
• Starting IVs and managing heparin protocols.
• Managing cardiac drips (no titration) and titrating cardiac drips.
• PCA pump management.
• Chest tube care (Emerson/Pleur-evac).
• Use of external CPAP/BIPAP and High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC).
• Interpretation of arterial blood gases (ABGs).
• Nasal cannula and tracheostomy management.

Preferred Skills:

• Management of dysrhythmias.
• IV insulin protocols and titration of insulin drips.
• Phlebotomy.
• Chemotherapy administration and monitoring.
• Wound care including wound vac.
• Arterial line management.
• Surgical drains.
• Non-invasive airway management.

Equipment Used

• B450 monitors with GE telemetry system.
• Bladder scanner.
• Alaris infusion pumps.
• Stryker beds.
• Continuous bladder irrigation equipment.
• PCA pumps.

Health & Compliance Requirements

• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start (includes amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine, methadone, methaqualone, opiates, PCP, propoxyphene).
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Tdap (adult dose after age 11/12).
  • 2 MMR vaccines or positive titers for Rubeola, Mumps, and Rubella (boosters required if low titer).
  • Varicella: 2 vaccines or positive titer (medical exemptions require documentation).
  • Hepatitis B titer or 3-vaccine series (declination accepted).
• Negative TB test (PPD, QGold, or TSPOT) within 1 year or chest x-ray if positive. Annual TB questionnaire required.
• Seasonal flu vaccination or declination during flu season (10/1–3/31).
• Fit mask test required annually for inpatient/patient-facing roles starting 7/13/2026 (3M 1860/1870+ or Halyard Duckbill masks accepted).
• Physical exam within 1 year confirming good health and free of contagious disease.

Additional Notes

• Candidates must complete a background check including criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle record (if driving), and education accreditation verification.
• Fingerprinting (BCI & FBI) must be completed using Ohio-specific code 3701.881 within 1 year of start.
• Candidates with pending fingerprint results must complete a pending background check attestation.
• Candidates must review and sign dress code and hand hygiene policies.
• Fraud, waste, and abuse training certificate required prior to start and updated annually.
• Ethics and compliance policies must be reviewed and acknowledged annually.

This position offers opportunities for professional growth, flexible scheduling with self-schedule requests, and a comprehensive benefits package.