ICU Registered Nurse
Cortez, Colorado
Southwest Memorial Hospital

Registered Nurse - ICU

Location: Cortez, Colorado
Employment Type: Travel

Job Summary

Provide nursing care to patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) from newborns (28 days) to end of life. Deliver safe, efficient, and courteous care using appropriate nursing procedures. Assess patient status, interpret clinical data, and provide evidence-based care to improve health outcomes.

Patient Population & Ratios

• ICU patient ratio: 2:1 for ICU status patients
• Med Surg patients in unit: ICU nurse may take 4:1 if no ICU status patients present
• Common patient conditions: DKA, Cardiac, Sepsis, Surgical, high risk of decline

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Practice within nursing standards, policies, and accreditation requirements
• Provide patient-centered care, team collaboration, and customer service
• Understand telemetry monitoring and basic arrhythmia interpretation
• Supervise non-professional staff and assist physicians with patient care and procedures
• Administer medications following protocols, including controlled substances and EMAR scanning
• Maintain professional responsibility for high-quality patient care and communicate concerns appropriately
• Participate in ongoing education, departmental meetings, and resuscitation drills
• Assist in peer evaluations, data collection, and chart reviews
• Adhere to safety and infection control standards
• Initiate and revise patient care plans based on co-morbidities and clinical status
• Utilize critical thinking for patient interventions and evaluate effectiveness of care
• Document nursing care accurately and timely using technology
• Demonstrate flexibility with shifts and adhere to attendance policies
• Act as a resource and support for team members and students

Unit-Specific Skills & Duties

• Intensive Care Unit care including trauma alerts and critical drips
• Family birthing and newborn care (delivery to discharge)
• Procedural sedation, rapid sequence intubation, fetal monitoring, NST
• Advanced cardiac monitoring, CVP and A-line monitoring
• Ventilator/BiPAP management
• Epidural and induction support
• Pre-term infant care, infant security, hearing screening, photo therapy
• EMTALA compliance and CCHD screening

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Colorado
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• Minimum of 1 year ICU (Intensive Care Unit) experience, including ICU or inpatient nursing experience within the last year
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification
• Experience in supervisory roles

Skills & Abilities

• Effective verbal and written communication in English
• Strong customer service and active listening skills
• Basic computer proficiency and strong organizational skills
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality
• Ability to work with diverse cultural and religious backgrounds

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Exposure to infectious waste, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and occasional foul odors
• Moderate to loud noise levels; possible interactions with aggressive patients or visitors
• Exposure to environmental elements such as heat, cold, precipitation, and wind
• Physical demands include lifting up to 100 lbs occasionally, frequent movement including kneeling, crouching, reaching, and feeling
• Requires good vision (including color vision) and hearing abilities
• Reasonable accommodations may be provided for disabilities without compromising patient care

Contract Length

• Approximately 26 weeks

This position requires a dedicated ICU Registered Nurse with critical care experience, strong clinical skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.