Cardiovascular ICU Registered Nurse
New Brunswick, NJ
Host Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Job Opportunity: CVICU Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Overview

• Work as a Registered Nurse in a Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) setting.
• Float to all ICUs, PACU, Emergency Department (ED) for ICU holding patients, and Intermediate Care (IMC) units.
• Patient mix includes fresh open heart surgery patients (CABG, MVR, AVR, TAVR), ventilated patients, chest tubes, lumbar drains, and patients with chronic and acute renal failure.
• Ratio: 1:1 to 1:2 patient care.
• No block scheduling; holidays and weekends every other.
• Locals and first-time travelers accepted.

Required Experience

• Minimum 2 years of acute care experience required.
• CVICU experience with fresh open heart cases is required.
• Experience with devices such as Impella, IABP, and CRRT using Prismaflex is required.
• May consider Surgical ICU (SICU) experience with initial CVICU training.

Required Certifications & Licenses

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license for New Jersey.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification.
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification.
• NIH Stroke Certification (as applicable to adult critical care).
• IV Certification: Completion of Peripheral IV and Central Line Education Package (must be current within 3 years).
• Additional certifications may be required depending on unit assignment (e.g., PALS, NRP, CHEMO) but primary focus is on adult critical care certifications.

Skills & Competencies

• Proficient in:

  • 12 lead EKG interpretation
  • Post-op open heart recovery care
  • Swan-Ganz catheter management
  • FloTrac monitoring
  • Temporary pacemakers
  • Arterial lines (A-lines)
  • Ventilator management
  • Chest tube insertion/removal assistance
  • BiPAP and CPAP assistance
• Must be able to assist with advanced cardiac devices and therapies.

Prior Travel Experience

• Not required; first-time travelers are accepted.

Additional Requirements

• Must complete Peripheral IV and Central Line Education Package for new bookings (fee applies).
• Background check required within 30 days of start, including criminal, MVR/DMV, and alias checks.
• Drug screen required within 30 days of start.
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray required.
• Physical exam within 12 months required, confirming ability to perform essential job functions and free of communicable disease.
• Influenza vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption required annually.
• Fit test and respiratory medical clearance required prior to start.
• Annual education and competency exams required, including medication/pharmacology, dysrhythmia/EKG, IV therapy/infusion, and pass/fail testing for clinical skills.
• Must complete facility-specific floating policy and annual education sign-off.
• References: 2 references within last 2 years, including at least one managerial reference.
• Employment application or resume with 7 years of work history required.
• Work history verification required for New Jersey candidates (minimum 1 year prior to start).

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in New Jersey.
• Minimum 2 years of Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) experience, including experience within the last year.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• IV Certification (Peripheral IV and Central Line Education Package).
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification.
• Experience in an acute care setting.
• Proficient in assisting with BiPAP and CPAP therapies.
• Experience with chest tube insertion and removal.
• Skilled in 12 lead EKG interpretation.
• Experience managing Swan-Ganz catheters.
• Experience with FloTrac hemodynamic monitoring.
• Experience with temporary pacemakers.
• Experience managing arterial lines (A-lines).
• Experience with ventilator management.
• Experience with chest tubes.

Work Environment

• High acuity cardiovascular ICU with complex patient care needs.
• Floating to multiple critical care and intermediate care units.
• Exposure to advanced cardiac surgical patients and technology.

Summary

This is a 13-week travel contract for an experienced CVICU Registered Nurse in New Brunswick, NJ. The role requires at least 2 years of acute care experience, strong CVICU skills, and relevant certifications including BLS, ACLS, and IV certification. Prior travel experience is not required. The position involves floating across various critical care units and managing complex cardiac patients with advanced devices. Compliance with extensive health, background, and competency requirements is mandatory.