PCU - Progressive Care Unit

Opportunity:

Registered Nurse - PCU

Job Details:

• Minimum 2 years of nursing experience required
• Staffing ratio of 1:3-4 patients
• Weekend coverage required - every other weekend per contract, with consecutive weekends possible based on operational needs; 6 weekends per 13-week contract
• Charge nurse responsibilities may be required based on operational needs with provided training and resources
• May be required to precept or be assigned students to shadow during assignment
• Floating required to different levels of care including Med-Surg, PCU, and ICU at both University and Methodist Hospitals - refusal to float may result in contract termination
• Required certifications: ACLS and BLS
• Charting system: Cerner (preferred)
• Previous charge experience preferred
• Trauma Level I experience preferred
• Care of Surgical PCU patients with near ICU-level acuity including ENT (neck dissections, mandibulectomy), Thoracic (esophagectomy, lobectomy, pneumonectomy), General Surgery (pancreatic, bowel/liver resections), Urology (urinary diversions, cystectomies, RPLND), and medical overflow
• Required clinical skills include:
  - Cardiac monitoring and telemetry
  - Chest tube management (Emerson/PleurEvac)
  - Fresh tracheostomy and laryngectomy care
  - Feeding tube care and management
  - Epidural analgesia management
  - Non-titratable cardiac drip management
  - IV insulin protocols and insulin drip titration
  - External BiPAP/CPAP management
  - Total laryngectomy care
  - Doppler flap checks
  - Arterial and central line management
  - Blood product administration
  - PICC line management
  - Wound care/wound vac
  - Surgical drain management
  - Heparin protocols
• Interdisciplinary support available including physical therapy, respiratory services, radiology, social services, rapid response teams, and pharmacy
• Unit consists of 34 beds with a daily census of 24
• Adults-only patient population
• First-time travelers accepted