Travel Nurse RN - ICU - Intensive Care Unit
Carmichael, CA
First Connect Health
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

RN – Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU)

Location: Sacramento, CA
Department: St. John’s Surgical ICU (SICU)
Trauma Level: II
EMR: Cerner
Shift: 12-Hour Shifts
Shift Start: 6:45 AM / PM
Schedule: Self-Scheduling | Every Other Weekend

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Registered Nurse (RN) to join the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) at a Level II Trauma facility. This 10-bed ICU provides care for critically ill and postoperative surgical patients, with a strong focus on complex vascular, thoracic, and abdominal surgical cases.

The ideal candidate will have strong critical care experience and a solid background caring for complex surgical patients, including vascular procedures, thoracic surgeries, open abdominal procedures, and postoperative recoveries.

Unit Details

• Unit: Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU)
• Beds: 10
• Patient Ratio: 1:1–2
• Patient Population: Critically ill and postoperative surgical patients
• Common Cases:
  • Femoral-popliteal (Fem-Pop) procedures
  • CEA (Carotid Endarterectomy)
  • EVAR
  • Vascular surgeries
  • VATS
  • Thoracic surgeries
  • Laparotomies / open abdominal surgeries
  • Postoperative recoveries
  • CRRT
  • ECMO
  • Frequent line placements

Clinical Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive critical care to complex surgical and postoperative patients.
• Monitor and manage patients requiring advanced ICU interventions.
• Interpret and respond appropriately to cardiac rhythms and EKG strips.
• Manage mechanical ventilation and other critical care therapies.
• Care for patients receiving CRRT and ECMO.
• Assist with and manage patients following major vascular, thoracic, and abdominal surgeries.
• Collaborate closely with intensivists, hospitalists, respiratory therapy, pharmacy, and the multidisciplinary care team.
• Maintain a high standard of patient safety, clinical judgment, and critical thinking.

Required Certifications

• BLS
• ACLS
• NIHSS

Schedule & Staffing

• 12-hour shifts
• Shift starts at 6:45
• Bedside report
• Every other weekend requirement
• Holidays rotate with core staff
• Overtime and additional shifts available
• Self-scheduling is utilized; final schedules are subject to manager approval and staffing balance.
• Schedules are released approximately 4 weeks in advance.
• Travelers may access schedules remotely, indicate availability for extra shifts, and trade shifts with other staff.
• Block scheduling is generally not available.

Unit Environment

• Charge Nurse: Yes; generally does not take a patient assignment but provides break relief.
• Nurse Aides: Available as Safety Attendants/Sitters.
• Telemetry: Yes; strong EKG interpretation skills required.
• Ventilators: Yes.
• Hospitalist/Intensivist: In-house.
• Respiratory Therapy: 24/7
• Pharmacy: 24/7
• IV Team: Not available.
• Scrubs: Navy. Undershirts must be navy, white, or black. Optional scrub jackets must be navy.
• Orientation: 1–2 days of floor-specific orientation with a preceptor.

Floating

Travelers may be required to float to other Sacramento-area facilities associated with the assignment. Mid-shift floating to another facility is uncommon but may occur based on operational needs.

Candidate Requirements

• Strong ICU/SICU experience with surgical patient populations is required.
• Experience with vascular, thoracic, and major abdominal surgical patients is highly preferred.
• Candidates should be comfortable managing high-acuity postoperative patients and advanced ICU therapies.
• Strong cardiac rhythm/EKG interpretation skills required.

Submission & Compliance Requirements

• Two supervisory references are required at submission:
  • One reference from within the past 12 months
  • One reference from within the past 3 years
  • Charge Nurse references are acceptable.
• A copy of the candidate's Driver's License (DL) is required at submission to validate legal name.
• Pulse must reflect the candidate's name exactly as shown on a government-issued ID; no middle initial or middle name should be entered.
• Candidates may not have been directly employed FT, PT, or PRN by any facility associated with CommonSpirit, including CHI and/or Dignity, within the past year.
• Candidates previously employed PRN through an outside staffing firm may be considered.
• Travelers are expected to work 2 of the 3 major holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.
• Holiday time-off requests may be considered but are not guaranteed.

Dysrhythmia Exam Requirement

Prior to signing the contract, the candidate must complete the UNA Dysrhythmia Exam:

• Must be completed within 24–48 hours.
• Two attempts are permitted.
• Test A must be assigned first.
• Test B is assigned only for a retake.
• A screenshot showing the number of attempts must be submitted along with the exam results.
• Failure on the second attempt results in DNU status for CommonSpirit Arizona and Sacramento facilities.

Akshay #1185533