Registered Nurse - 4 East TCV Stepdown Unit

UVA Health•Charlottesville, VA

1d•$41 - $54

About The Position

The Registered Nurse on 4 East provides comprehensive care to patients recovering from thoracic, cardiac, and vascular (TCV) surgery in a 28-bed acute and intermediate-care unit. The patient population includes complex surgical cases and highly specialized procedures, including heart and lung transplantation. Typical nurse-to-patient ratios are 4:1 in acute care, with the ability to flex to 5:1 when appropriate, and 3:1 in TIMU. The blended-acuity environment offers opportunities to develop assessment, prioritization, critical-thinking, and clinical decision-making skills, and may prepare nurses for future work in ICU or other advanced-care settings. Nurses work 12-hour shifts. Full-time nurses work three shifts and part-time nurses work two shifts. Overtime opportunities are typically available. Every six weeks, team members submit preferred schedules; leadership and administrative staff balance preferences with patient-care and staffing needs, aiming to honor individual preferences while maintaining safe staffing. The unit is a dynamic surgical environment with frequent patient movement and turnover. Nurses collaborate with providers, PCTs, physical and occupational therapists, speech therapists, case managers, social workers, and other clinical partners. The role suits nurses who enjoy teamwork, continuous learning, varied work, and supporting tangible patient progress after major surgery. The pay range is $41.05–$54.15 per hour. Individual compensation depends on the selected candidate’s qualifications, previous work experience, and/or education. UVA Health is a Magnet Recognized academic medical center and health system with a Level 1 trauma center.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing required within five years of hire.
At least one year of relevant experience.
Licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
American Heart Association (AHA) Health Care Provider BLS certification required.
Strong clinical assessment and critical-thinking skills.
Ability to provide, or develop competency in, care for postoperative thoracic, cardiac, and vascular surgery patients.
Ability to care for higher-acuity patients in an intermediate-care environment.
Ability and willingness to learn management of patients following CABG, valve replacement, aneurysm repair, vascular repair, and thoracic surgery.
Clear, professional communication with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members.
Strong teamwork and collaboration with nurses, providers, technicians, and other support staff.
Effective prioritization across blended-acuity assignments.
Commitment to postoperative protocols, patient safety, and early mobilization.
Adaptability and sound judgment in a dynamic clinical environment.
Solid clinical foundation, judgment, initiative, learning agility, and ability to develop specialized technical skills.

Nice To Haves

Approximately 1–2 or more years of cardiac stepdown, ICU, progressive care, IMU, or comparable higher-acuity nursing experience.
Previous experience with postoperative cardiac, thoracic, or vascular surgery patient pathways.
Experience working in a blended-acuity environment.
PCCN and/or CSC certification.
Charge nurse experience.
Preceptor experience.
Resilience and adaptability in a high-turnover surgical environment.
Participation in local or regional professional governance or professional organizations.
Experience with the unit’s specific surgical population.

Responsibilities

Perform patient assessments and ongoing reassessments.
Monitor and care for acute- and intermediate-acuity patients.
Provide postoperative care to complex thoracic, cardiac, and vascular surgical patients.
Document assessments, interventions, and outcomes.
Coordinate admissions, transfers, and discharges.
Support postoperative protocols and early mobilization.
Educate patients and families.
Recognize and respond to changes in patient condition.
Prioritize care across blended-acuity assignments.
Collaborate with providers, PCTs, therapists, case managers, social workers, and other interdisciplinary care team members.
Support efficient patient throughput in a surgical unit with frequent patient movement and turnover.