SICU Registered Nurse
New Orleans, Louisiana
Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - SICU

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Work in a high acuity ICU setting with a patient ratio of 1:2.
• Float requirement to other ICUs and Step-Down Units (SDUs).
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system is required.
• Preferred experience with PA catheters and balloon pumps.
• No block scheduling requests accepted.
• SICU skills include general post-op care for surgical recovery patients.
• Additional ICU experience areas include CVICU (post-op CABG, valve repair, aortic dissection, IABP, PA Cath) and transplant recovery (liver, heart, lungs, kidney, pancreas).
• Experience with Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) is beneficial.
• May be assigned to an "Emergency Team" during emergency events, requiring extended stay or relief duties as assigned by unit manager.

Required Certifications

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) - AHA or RQI accepted; renewal required if expiring within 30 days of start.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA or RQI accepted; renewal required if expiring within 30 days of start.
• NIH Certification.
• Current, valid Louisiana RN license or Compact RN license required upon submission.
• NURSYS verification required within 30 days of start.
• Other certifications may be required depending on unit assignment (e.g., PALS, NRP, TNCC, EFM) but are not mandatory for SICU.

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Louisiana.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Minimum of 1 year of recent ICU (Intensive Care Unit) experience.
• Experience with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) care.
• Experience with pulmonary artery catheter (PA Cath) care.
• Proficiency with Epic electronic health record system.
• Current ACLS certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Current BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification.

Additional Requirements

• Current/valid Driver’s License or government photo ID (color copy).
• Background checks including 7-year criminal history, EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG, sex offender search, and education verification.
• Physical exam within 12 months indicating good health.
• Fit mask testing (N95) within one year of start; onsite fit testing available if needed.
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 60 days of start.
• Immunizations and/or titers for:

  • TB (negative test or chest X-ray)
  • Rubeola (Measles)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B
  • Varicella
  • Tdap (for certain units)
• Seasonal flu vaccination, medical, or religious exemption required during flu season.
• Skills checklist and competency exam specific to specialty, updated annually.
• Photo for badge (passport-style, recent, color photo).

Important Notes

• No block scheduling requests allowed.
• Emergency team participation may require extended hours or shifts during events.
• Candidates should be comfortable with floating and emergency assignments.
• All certifications and licenses must be current and verifiable prior to start date.

This position is ideal for experienced critical care RNs comfortable with high acuity patients and flexible assignments in a dynamic ICU environment.