PCU - Progressive Care Unit (RN)

Avg. daily census 15; 15 rooms; 15 beds. Staffing ratios days 1:4, nights 1:5; Patient age groups: adults, geriatrics. Shifts: 8-, 10-, and 12-hour plus rotating; days 07:00 - 19:30, nights 19:00-07:30, CNA 06:30-19:00; rotating shifts yes.

Schedule

call not required; float required; weekend coverage every other Unit systems: medication system Pyxis; documentation Cerner; communication SBAR. Provider support: interpretation services, IV team, pharmacy, phlebotomy, physical therapy, radiology, rapid response teams, respiratory services, social services, transportation, unit secretary; vascular access team. In-house 24/7: intensivist, NP, CRNA, hospitalist, anesthesiologist.

Patient diagnoses: high-acuity patients; respiratory (BiPAP, trachs); endocrine (DKA, HHS, adrenal insufficiency, hypo/hyperthyroid); sepsis; electrolyte imbalances; suicidal ideation; drug overdose; alcohol withdrawal (may also add liver failure/cirrhosis, GI bleed, pneumonia). Special procedures/unit details: non-titrated cardiac drips; insulin protocols - drips. Certifications required: ACLS, BLS.

Preferred: NIHSS. Work settings required: cardiac telemetry, PCU/DOU/IMC/stepdown, telemetry. Cardiac monitoring/emergency response required: interpretation of dysrhythmias, management of dysrhythmias, telemetry-remote monitoring.

Endocrine/metabolic required: IV insulin protocols, titration of insulin drips. Gastrointestinal required: feeding tube care and management. Genitourinary/renal required: continuous bladder irrigation (CBI), pre/post hemodialysis management, renal failure.

IV therapy/phlebotomy required: central line care/management, peripheral line care/management, phlebotomy, starting and maintaining IVs. Medications required: heparin protocols, manage cardiac drips (no titration). Neurological/psychiatric required: craniotomy, CVA, external ventricular drain (EVD), intracranial bleeds, lumbar drains, post TPA care, pre/post neurosurgery, seizure disorders, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury.

Preferred: substance withdrawal. Orthopedics required: ortho trauma. Respiratory required: BiPAP/CPAP management, chest tubes-Emerson/PleurEvac, high flow nasal cannula (HFNC), interpretation of ABGs, nasal cannula, non-invasive airway management, oxygen administration, oxygen tanks, tracheostomy care/management.

Professional topics required: isolation precautions/PPE, wound care/wound vac.

1 year required (must have solid 1 year of PCU/stepdown/intermediate care); electronic documentation system in unit (Cerner). Other: accepts first-time travelers; scrubs provided, royal blue; Free parking at this facility.