ICU RN

Intensive Care Unit Nurse

Intensive Care Unit Nurses will be accountable clinically for ensuring that nursing care complies with accepted standards of care and clinical practice. Nurses will use judgment in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating patient care in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting where life-threatening disease or injury requires close monitoring and at times, quick intervention. Coordinates and implements patient care specific to the age of the patient population served on the ICU (adult and geriatric). The Nurse functions both dependently and independently with guidance and direction from the Nurse Manager/designee. Nurses must have active, current License as a professional nurse in any state (United States).

Contractor nurses may be utilized as needed in specialty the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), Cardiac Care Unit (CCU), or the Emergency Room.

All nurses considered for assignment to an ICU shall have completed an accredited course in Intensive Care Nursing as well certification in Moderate Sedation or equivalent. In lieu of ICU certification, candidates shall possess at least five years clinical experience in an Intensive Care Unit or other critical care environment.

All registered nurses shall have at least three (3) years prior experience in an intensive care setting to include Critical Care experience. Nurse Managers reserve the right to determine if ICU experience is conducive to their needs and no more than 6-month gap working in that setting.

Education Requirements

Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Bachelor's Degree in Nursing or in related field or a Master's Degree in Nursing or in related field is highly preferred.

Agency nurses assigned to the MICU/SICU/CCU can expect to work ten (10) twelve (12) hours shifts or a combination with rotating weekends and holidays.

The minimum requirement for all registered nurses assigned to any of the ICU shall include a current unrestricted registered nurse license from any state (United States), a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate accredited by the American Heart Association, a current Advanced Cardiopulmonary Life Support Course (ACLS) certificate accredited by the American Heart Association and the Moderate Sedation Certification or equivalent.

Agency nurses are preferred to have the Nurses with Acute/Critical Care Nursing (CCRN) certifications through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Certification Corporation (AACN) CCRN certificate. current and (must have worked within the last six months).

All nurses in the ICU are certified to perform the following routine procedures on all patients but not limited to:

• Insertion of peripheral lines and Central lines.
• Open Heart, General Surgery, Vascular Surgeries, Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump management, CRRT and management, and Vasoactive drugs. Assist with the insertion of Chest Tubes. Care for PCI, Post Cath Patients
• Collection of blood samples by venipuncture and central lines and swan Ganz catheter. Also, care for patients with on mechanical Ventilators, Airvo humidification systems, and Bipap-breathing support.
• Drawing of arterial blood from existing lines.
• Hemodynamic Monitoring
• Under the physician's direction, the nurses in ICU may remove peripheral intravenous lines, central venous catheters and percutaneous arterial lines.
• In the event that the patient experiences chest pain or signs and symptoms of cardiac abnormalities, the nurse will perform a 12 lead EKG immediately.
• In the event that the patient develops asystole, ACLS protocol will be followed.
• In the event that a patient requires placement of an external pacemaker, the nurse will attach the patient to a pacing wire and pacing generator.
• Records pertinent information in CPRS and/or Clin Comp Hospital Electronic Record (HER) flowsheet throughout the shift.

May be required to work with COVID 19 positive patients.