KTI Health is seeking a travel nurse RN Stepdown for a travel nursing job in Columbus, Ohio.
Job Description & Requirements
- Specialty: Stepdown
- Discipline: RN
- Start Date: 11/18/2026
- Duration: 13 weeks
- 36 hours per week
- Shift: 12 hours, days, nights
- Employment Type: Travel
Job Description: Registered Nurse (RN) – Step-Down / PCU
Facility: James Cancer Hospital and Research – The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Department: 12 East and West Surgical Oncology – PCU
Location: 460 W 10th Ave, Room 224, Columbus, OH 43210
Job ID: 3446491
Contract Duration: 16 Weeks
Start Date: November 30, 2026
Shift: Night Shift – 3x12 Hours (7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
Patient Population: Adults and Geriatrics
Unit Capacity: 36 Beds
Patient Ratio: Target 1:4; may increase to 1:5
Job Summary
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse (RN) for its Surgical Oncology Step-Down/Progressive Care Unit (PCU). This is a mixed-acuity unit caring for both medical-surgical and progressive care patients with complex surgical oncology conditions.
The RN will provide specialized nursing care, monitor patients with varying acuity levels, manage complex treatments, and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to support patient recovery and safety.
Key Responsibilities
- Assess, monitor, and document patient conditions and responses to treatment.
- Provide nursing care to PCU and medical-surgical patients with complex oncology and surgical conditions.
- Monitor cardiac rhythms, interpret dysrhythmias, and respond to changes in patient status.
- Administer chemotherapy, blood transfusions, IV antibiotics, and other prescribed treatments as authorized and appropriately trained.
- Manage insulin and heparin drips according to hospital protocols.
- Recognize and respond to oncologic emergencies, including cytokine release syndrome.
- Provide chest tube care and respiratory support, including tracheostomy management.
- Follow strict infection prevention, isolation, and patient fall-prevention protocols.
- Collaborate with physicians, respiratory services, IV teams, pharmacy, physical therapy, and other healthcare professionals.
- Float to other acute care oncology units within the nurse's scope of practice.
- Maintain accurate patient records using Epic electronic medical records (EMR).
Required Qualifications
- Active Registered Nurse (RN) license applicable to the assignment.
- Minimum 2 years of total acute care nursing experience.
- At least 1 year of PCU/Step-Down experience.
- Acute care experience must be current, with consistent work within the last 12 months.
- Previous experience caring for patients in a high-acuity setting.
- Epic charting experience required.
- BLS certification required.
- ACLS certification required.
- NIHSS certification required.
- First-time travelers are accepted.
Important: Candidates who do not meet both the total acute care experience requirement and the PCU experience requirement should not be submitted.
Preferred Qualifications and Clinical Skills
- Oncology or surgical oncology nursing experience.
- ONS Chemotherapy certification.
- Cardiac telemetry monitoring and dysrhythmia interpretation.
- BiPAP/CPAP management.
- Chest tube management.
- Tracheostomy care.
- Experience with chemotherapy, blood products, and IV antibiotics.
- Management of insulin and heparin infusions.
- Experience handling oncologic emergencies and complex surgical patients.
Patient Population and Diagnoses
The unit cares for patients with a variety of surgical oncology conditions, including:
- Breast, thyroid, and melanoma cancers.
- Hepatobiliary cancers involving the liver, pancreas, spleen, and biliary tract.
- Neuroendocrine tumors.
- Colorectal cancers, including colon and rectal cancer.
- Reconstructive breast surgery and sarcoma.
- Orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgical conditions.
Schedule and Additional Requirements
- Night shift: 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM.
- Three 12-hour shifts per week.
- Weekend requirements vary based on unit needs.
- Floating to other acute care oncology units is required when necessary.
- No block scheduling is offered.
- One pre-approved time-off request is permitted.
- Orientation is provided.
- Flu vaccination is required; medical exemptions only.
- COVID-19 vaccination is not required per the facility guidelines.
Work Environment
The Surgical Oncology PCU is a busy, mixed-acuity unit that manages both medical-surgical and progressive care patients. Nurses work with advanced monitoring equipment, including GE telemetry systems, Alaris infusion pumps, bladder scanners, and Stryker beds.
Interdisciplinary support includes IV teams, physical therapy, respiratory services, radiology, pharmacy, social services, rapid response teams, and transportation services.
Parking Information
Parking is available through CampusParc, with options including:
- WMC Monthly Permit: $224.80/month; provides 24/7 access to the Wexner Medical Center Garage.
- WB Annual Permit: $196.20/year; includes designated West Campus parking and shuttle service.
- CXS Annual Permit: $393.96/year; provides access to designated parking locations.
Parking rates and policies are subject to change.
Apply Now: Submit qualified candidates for Job ID 3446491.
Quick Offer! Earn a $500 Completion Bonus!
Enjoy a quick offer process and smooth, hassle-free onboarding with dedicated support every step of the way - KTI Health is a veteran-owned staffing and recruitment firm based in Houston, Texas
About KTI Health
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