PCU / Stepdown

Progressive Care Unit — Surgical Trauma | Night Shift | Columbia, SC

This 13-week travel assignment places you in a progressive care unit specializing in adult surgical trauma patients. The unit primarily cares for hemodynamically stable adults recovering from traumatic injuries — including gunshot wounds, penetrating trauma, assaults, motor vehicle crashes, and falls — who have required or are awaiting surgical intervention.

Shift & Schedule

• Nights: 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM | 3x12-hour shifts
• 36 guaranteed hours per week
• 6 weekend shifts per every 6-week schedule
• Self-scheduling

Required Certifications

• ACLS (AHA), BLS, NIHSS, Telemetry
• Medication competency test required

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 1 year of recent PCU/telemetry experience
• First-time travelers must have 2+ years of experience
• Electronic medical record experience required

Clinical Skills & Scope

• Telemetry monitoring and dysrhythmia interpretation/management
• Central line, PICC line, and port access/management
• Blood product administration, heparin protocols, PCA management
• Chest tube, tracheostomy, and surgical drain care
• High-flow nasal cannula, BiPAP/CPAP management
• Wound care, wound vac, skin grafts
• Traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury care, craniotomy and ortho trauma experience

Interdisciplinary Support

The unit is supported by IV teams, respiratory services, rapid response teams, physical therapy, pharmacy, phlebotomy, radiology, social services, and interpretation services.

Additional Details

• Floating to other qualified units/campuses may be required based on census
• Orientation occurs on Mondays
• Pre-assignment modules must be completed within 48 hours of contract start and are reimbursable (up to 16 hours)
• Flu vaccine required; COVID-19 vaccine not required