Emergency Room RN Jobs in Iowa
Emergency Room RN jobs in Iowa are concentrated in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City, where major systems like UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics maintain busy level I and level II trauma centers. Demand is strongest for emergency room rns with experience in trauma triage, pediatric emergencies, and critical care stabilization, and openings range from new graduate positions to senior charge nurse roles. Iowa's relatively stable healthcare economy keeps emergency departments actively recruiting across both urban medical centers and regional community hospitals. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 29+ Emergency Room RN jobs
Knoxville Hospital and Clinics strive to be your healthcare destination, building on compassion and innovation. We are committed to faithfully providing exceptional healthcare. The values we hold true are Teamwork, Innovation, Compassion, Integrity, Service, and People-Centered.
This position is a PRN (as needed) position working hours as needed by the department.
The Emergency Room Technician (ERT) is an integral part of the nursing care team working under the supervision of RNs. This position assists nursing personnel in providing patient care in the emergency department and performs procedures assigned on preparation and /or treatment of patients. An individualized approach of care is utilized based on the nursing process. The tech uses primary and secondary assessment skills (reports observations verbally), contributes to the plan of patient care and skillfully implements delegated nursing procedures. The ERT promotes and participates in patient and family education and rehabilitation. The ERT works with other departments to provide a clean, safe, stimulating environment.
Essential Functions
- Consistently takes and records temperature and other vitals, height, weight, intake and output and other measurements as applicable, collects and prepares specimens as requested in an accurate, precise and timely manner.
- Consistently enters data into computer in timely manner.
- Consistently performs treatments and procedures within job description and according to protocol. Assists nurse with treatments and procedures as directed, in an accurate and timely manner.
- Consistently demonstrates an awareness and understanding of patient needs for personal care and comfort; follows through accurately to provide patients with good personal care.
- Consistently demonstrates clinical competence and proficiency in patient care and ER Tech procedures.
- Strictly follows and enforces the principles of aseptic technique, body substance isolation, and other infection control standards; washes hands and wears gloves according to hospital protocol.
- Utilizes proper body mechanics and lifting and transfer techniques and assistance of other persons in lifting.
- Maintains patient dignity an always respects patient’s rights including privacy and confidentiality, closes the door or draws the curtains for procedures, provides patients with coverage to maintain modesty.
Job Requirements
- HS graduate or equivalent.
- CNA or EMT certification required.
- Prior insurance, secretarial and computer data entry knowledge is required.
- Computer, data entry, customer service experience, and BLS certification.
- Mandatory Reporter certification.
- Must display a high degree of empathetic understanding and kindness toward patients and visitors.
- Required to complete all annual competency training and maintain license and/or certification.
This is a PRN position eligible for retirement plan participation.
Knoxville Hospital and Clinics strive to be your healthcare destination, building on compassion and innovation. We are committed to faithfully providing exceptional healthcare. The values we hold true are Teamwork, Innovation, Compassion, Integrity, Service, and People-Centered.
This position is a PRN (as needed) position working hours as needed by the department.
The Emergency Room Technician (ERT) is an integral part of the nursing care team working under the supervision of RNs. This position assists nursing personnel in providing patient care in the emergency department and performs procedures assigned on preparation and /or treatment of patients. An individualized approach of care is utilized based on the nursing process. The tech uses primary and secondary assessment skills (reports observations verbally), contributes to the plan of patient care and skillfully implements delegated nursing procedures. The ERT promotes and participates in patient and family education and rehabilitation. The ERT works with other departments to provide a clean, safe, stimulating environment.
Essential Functions
- Consistently takes and records temperature and other vitals, height, weight, intake and output and other measurements as applicable, collects and prepares specimens as requested in an accurate, precise and timely manner.
- Consistently enters data into computer in timely manner.
- Consistently performs treatments and procedures within job description and according to protocol. Assists nurse with treatments and procedures as directed, in an accurate and timely manner.
- Consistently demonstrates an awareness and understanding of patient needs for personal care and comfort; follows through accurately to provide patients with good personal care.
- Consistently demonstrates clinical competence and proficiency in patient care and ER Tech procedures.
- Strictly follows and enforces the principles of aseptic technique, body substance isolation, and other infection control standards; washes hands and wears gloves according to hospital protocol.
- Utilizes proper body mechanics and lifting and transfer techniques and assistance of other persons in lifting.
- Maintains patient dignity an always respects patient’s rights including privacy and confidentiality, closes the door or draws the curtains for procedures, provides patients with coverage to maintain modesty.
Job Requirements
- HS graduate or equivalent.
- CNA or EMT certification required.
- Prior insurance, secretarial and computer data entry knowledge is required.
- Computer, data entry, customer service experience, and BLS certification.
- Mandatory Reporter certification.
- Must display a high degree of empathetic understanding and kindness toward patients and visitors.
- Required to complete all annual competency training and maintain license and/or certification.
This is a PRN position eligible for retirement plan participation.
See All 29 Emergency Room RN Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Emergency Room RN JobsEmergency Room RN Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Emergency Room RN Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Voyage Health12V
- MercyOne4
- UnityPoint Health3
- White Glove Placement2
- Inabia Software & Consulting2
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in emergency room RN jobs across Iowa.
- Active Iowa RN license or a Nurse Licensure Compact license recognized in Iowa
- Current BLS certification and ACLS certification required at time of hire
- Minimum one to two years of emergency department or acute care nursing experience
- Completion of an accredited associate or bachelor of science in nursing program
- Proficiency with electronic health record systems such as Epic or Cerner
- Ability to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays as scheduled
Emergency Room RN Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a emergency room rn in Iowa?
To become an emergency room rn in Iowa, you must hold an active Iowa RN license issued by the Iowa Board of Nursing, which requires passing the NCLEX-RN after completing an accredited nursing program. Iowa participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses already licensed in a compact state can work in Iowa without obtaining a separate license. Most Iowa emergency departments then expect new hires to complete a department-specific orientation and earn ACLS certification within a set timeframe after starting.
How much do emergency room RNs make in Iowa?
Emergency room RNs in Iowa earn a median of about $78,630 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $63,840 for the lowest 10% to over $100,500 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire emergency room rns in Iowa?
Companies currently hiring emergency room rns in Iowa include Voyage Health, MercyOne, and UnityPoint Health, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Iowa's largest emergency department employers are typically anchored in the Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City metro areas, where major health systems operate the state's busiest trauma centers.
Which Iowa cities have the most emergency room rn jobs?
The Iowa cities with the most emergency room rn openings are DeWitt, Des Moines, and Clinton. Des Moines leads because it is the state's largest metro and home to the flagship campuses of UnityPoint Health and MercyOne, while Iowa City's concentration of openings is driven by the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, one of the region's only academic level I trauma centers, and Cedar Rapids benefits from a dense cluster of regional medical facilities serving a large surrounding population.
Are there remote emergency room rn jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Emergency room nursing is a hands-on, bedside role that requires physical presence in the department, so true remote positions are uncommon. About 0% of emergency room rn openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those postings typically involve triage nurse advice lines or care coordination roles rather than direct patient care in an emergency department setting.
How can I get hired as a emergency room rn in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to a new graduate RN residency program at a large Iowa health system such as UnityPoint Health or MercyOne, both of which run structured residencies that include emergency department rotations for nurses without prior ED experience. Candidates who have worked as an emergency department technician, patient care technician, or in a high-acuity med-surg or ICU role are particularly competitive. Earning your ACLS certification and completing any available TNCC coursework before applying signals readiness and helps offset limited direct ED hours.
Where can I find and apply to emergency room rn jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to emergency room rn jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings from employers hiring right now. Search the listings, find the roles that match your experience and preferred location, and apply directly to whichever ones fit your situation.
See All 29 Emergency Room RN Jobs in Iowa
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