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

Job Opportunity: SICU Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Shift: Day (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each; 6:45 AM – 7:15 PM)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit & Patient Care Details

• 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 required
• Preferred experience with Pulmonary Artery (PA) catheters and balloon pumps
• No block scheduling requests accepted

ICU Subspecialty Skills

• Cardiovascular ICU (CVICU): Post-op care for CABG, valve replacement/repair, aortic dissection, IABP, PA catheter
• Surgical ICU (SICU): General post-op care for surgical recovery patients
• Transplant Recovery: Liver, heart, lungs, kidney, pancreas
• Experience with Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)

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

Required Licenses & Credentials

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license for Louisiana or Compact License effective immediately upon submission
• License verification must be current and renewed if expiring within 30 days of start
• NURSYS verification required within 30 days of start

Requirements / Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Louisiana
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Minimum 1 year of recent experience in Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU)
• Experience in Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU)
• Experience in Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU)
• Experience in Transplant Recovery (liver, heart, lungs, kidney, pancreas)
• Experience with Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)
• Current ACLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Current BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification

Important Job Expectations

• Upon assignment acceptance, may be required to join an Emergency Team during critical events, staying onsite until event resolution or serving as relief
• Candidates uncomfortable with emergency team assignment should not apply

Health & Compliance Requirements

• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 60 days of start (instant screenings not accepted)
• Physical exam within 12 months indicating good health
• Fit mask testing (N95) within one year of start; onsite fit testing available if needed
• Immunizations or proof of immunity required for:

  • Measles (Rubeola)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B
  • Varicella
• Tdap vaccination required for select units (not specified for SICU)
• Negative TB test (PPD, Qgold, or Tspot) within 12 months; chest X-ray and TB questionnaire if positive
• Seasonal flu vaccination, medical, or religious exemption required during flu season (Oct 1 – Mar 31)

Background & Documentation

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, updated annually
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start, updated monthly
• Sex offender search required within 30 days of start, updated monthly
• Education verification of highest level required
• Current/valid driver’s license or government photo ID (color copy)
• Resume/application and skills checklist updated annually
• Photo for badge: full color, passport-style, recent within 6 months

Additional Notes

• No block scheduling requests accepted
• Emergency preparedness checklist required during hurricane season (June 1 – Nov 30)
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) certification not required for ICU specialties

This position is ideal for experienced ICU Registered Nurses comfortable with high acuity care, flexible floating assignments, and emergency response duties in a fast-paced critical care environment.