Cardiothoracic ICU RN
Chesapeake, VA
Host Healthcare
4x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Registered Nurse (Cardio Thoracic ICU) - Travel/Contract

Location: Chesapeake, Virginia
Contract Length: 13 weeks (with possible extension)

Job Overview

• Care for Cardio Thoracic ICU patients, including step-down patients due to a universal bed model.
• Unit includes post-operative CABG adult patients, Acute Coronary, NSTEMI, STEMI, CHF.
• 8-bed unit with 1:1-2 nurse-to-patient ratios.
• Schedule options: 3x12 or 4x12 shifts (days, weekdays, every other weekend, float, holidays). Overtime billed after 48 hours on 4x12 schedule.
• No block scheduling available.

Required Licenses & Certifications

• Virginia OR Compact RN License in hand at time of application (no exceptions).
• BLS and ACLS certifications via American Heart Association required.
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification required.
• Must be EPIC proficient (no exceptions).

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of experience in CVICU/CTICU.
• Prior travel experience preferred but not explicitly required.

Required Skills

• Arterial line management
• Blood product administration
• Central line and PICC line care/management
• Starting IVs and continuous IV sedation
• Procedural sedation administration
• Titration of cardiac and vasoactive drips
• Strong neuro experience (post brain surgery, EVD/ventriculostomy)
• FloTrac/Vigileo monitoring
• Interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
• Multi-system organ failure management
• CABG care
• Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump and Impella management
• Post cardiac surgery care (directly and not directly from OR)
• Pre/post cardiac catheterization/intervention care
• Pulmonary artery line/Swan Ganz monitoring
• IV insulin protocols
• Continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD/CRRT)
• Stroke (CVA/Acute) management
• BiPAP, CPAP assistance
• Ventilator management including suctioning (ETT, NT) and high flow nasal cannula (HFNC)
• Interpretation of arterial blood gases (ABGs)
• Infection prevention and isolation precautions/PPE use
• Surgical wound care including drains and wound vac

Preferred Skills

• Thermoregulation (hypothermia/hyperthermia)
• Chronic/acute renal failure
• Accessing ports
• External ventricular drains (EVD)
• Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring

Additional Requirements & Information

• Candidates must have a clean license and background check; no license or background hits will be considered.
• Local candidates residing within 50 miles of the facility will not be accepted.
• Driver’s license required for address verification before offer acceptance.
• 48-hour contract with overtime after 48 hours available; candidates must indicate shift preference.
• Candidates will be required to complete various facility-specific documents, background checks, and health screenings including:

  • 7-year criminal background check
  • EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks
  • Physical exam within 1 year
  • Fit test for N95 mask (no PAPR allowed)
  • Immunizations and titers (TDAP, TB, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella)
  • Drug screening (10-panel) within 12 months
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption
• Pass/fail testing on EKG/medications required for all RNs (80% minimum score, one attempt).
• Must complete medication/pharmacology competency exams and other unit-specific competency exams.
• Fingerprinting required for certain units per state guidelines.
• References and employment history documentation required.

Work Environment

• Coastal Virginia location near Virginia Beach and Norfolk, offering outdoor activities.
• Universal bed model means ICU patients downgraded to step-down remain in the CTICU until discharge.
• Use of advanced monitoring equipment such as Hemosphere, Quantum, Accuryn.

This position is ideal for experienced CVICU/CTICU RNs who are comfortable with complex cardiac and neuro critical care patients and meet strict licensure and background requirements.