Cardiac Stepdown RN
Wilmington, NC
Planet Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Registered Nurse - Cardiac Floor

Location: Wilmington, North Carolina
Facility: Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center Crisis Response
Hospital System: Novant Health Crisis Response
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks (13-26 weeks accepted)
Shift: Nights, 36 hours only

Job Overview

• Minimum 2 years cardiac floor experience required.
• Traveler experience required unless >24 months cardiac experience.
• Patient acuity ratios:

  • Surgical step down: 1:4
  • Lower acuity: 1:5-6
• Weekend requirement: 4 weekends per 4 weeks (flexible)
• Float requirement: follows unit rotation, not first to float
• Contract staff expected to participate in Storm/Hurricane Team and may be required to work during catastrophic events or disasters.

Required Skills & Experience

• Cardiac Telemetry, PCU/DOU/IMC/Stepdown experience
• Sheath removal and management
• Interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
• Post MI care, pre/post cardiac catheterization
• Management and titration of cardiac drips
• Chest tubes (Emerson/Pleuravac)
• Use of external CPAP/BIPAP, nasal cannula, and non-invasive airway management

Required Certifications

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

Preferred Skills & Certifications

• Arterial line management
• Wound care/Wound Vac
• Charge nurse experience

Patient Diagnoses Commonly Seen

• Atrial Fibrillation
• Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
• Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)
• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
• Valvular diseases (Aortic stenosis/regurgitation, Mitral regurgitation/stenosis)
• Endocarditis
• Cardiomyopathy
• Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD), Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
• Vasculitis
• Carotid stenosis
• Venous stasis

Special Procedures / Unit Details

• Cardiac surgeries: CABG, AVR, MVR, TAVR, Mitral Clip, LAAO (Watchman procedure)
• VATS, carotid endarterectomy, FEM-POP bypass, amputations, other vascular surgeries
• Post cardiac catheterization, DCCV, electrophysiology procedures
• Pacemaker placements

Special Equipment

• Arterial lines (not mandatory)
• Doppler
• Bladder scanner
• EKG
• Femoral sheaths, TR band, Fem-stop
• Chest tubes
• Epicardial pacing wires

Unit Systems

• Medication dispensing: Pyxis
• Documentation: EPIC
• Communication: SBAR

Orientation & Uniform

• Unit orientation: 24 hours
• Scrubs: Navy

Important Notes

• No Return to Origin (RTO) after booking allowed; call-offs or additional RTO may lead to cancellation and Do Not Rehire (DNR) status.
• Must pass EKG competency testing prior to start.
• Every candidate will be interviewed before offer.
• Contract staff must complete various required trainings and documentation prior to start, including but not limited to: background check, drug testing, immunizations, and facility-specific forms.
• Color blind testing and medication/pharmacology competency exams are required.
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam is mandatory and time-sensitive; must score 82% or higher with limited attempts.
• Contract staff must submit a passport-style photo for badge creation promptly after signing contract.
• Flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season; mask-wearing required if exempt.
• COVID-19 vaccination no longer required for travel staff as of June 2023.

Health & Compliance Requirements

• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year (or documentation of past positive with appropriate follow-up)
• Required immunizations or titers: Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella
• Drug screening within 6 months of start
• Physical exam and medical release form as per agency standards
• Background check within 6 months
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required
• Education verification and licensure verification required

Additional Facility-Specific Requirements

• Completion of Non-Novant Health Worker Orientation modules (up to 8 hours) prior to start
• Compliance with hospital policies and acknowledgment forms
• Participation in Epic training or optional Epic test-out (not available at New Hanover as of 8/16/24)
• Radiation badge required for certain specialties (not applicable for this RN role unless specified)

This position is ideal for experienced cardiac floor RNs comfortable with telemetry, step-down care, and complex cardiac patient management in a fast-paced hospital setting. Night shift availability and flexibility for disaster response are essential.