Neuro ICU Registered Nurse
Ventura, California
Ventura County Medical Center

Job Opportunity: Neuro ICU Registered Nurse

Location: Ventura, California
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit & Shift Details

• Unit: Trauma/Neuro Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
• Patient Population: Adolescents to Geriatrics
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: 1:2
• Shift: Nights, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (18:45 - 7:15)
• Float Requirement: Yes, within service line

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum 3 years of experience as a Registered Nurse
• Must have documented Trauma and Neuro ICU experience in work history
• Prior travel experience required; no first-time travel nurses accepted
• No travel pairs allowed
• Experience with Cerner charting system required
• Strict adherence to accurate charting and assessments is critical due to extensive chart audits

Clinical Skills & Knowledge

• Interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
• Multi-system organ failure management
• IV insulin protocols
• GI surgery care
• Chronic and acute renal failure management
• CVVHD/CRRT/Shunts and fistula care
• Accessing ports and arterial line management
• Blood product administration
• Central line care and PICC line management
• Starting IVs, continuous IV sedation, procedural sedation administration
• Titration of cardiac and vasoactive drips
• CVA/acute stroke management
• External ventricular drains (EVD) care
• Hypothermia protocol/Arctic Sun use
• ICP monitoring
• Post-neurosurgery management
• Spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury care
• Assistance with chest tube insertion/removal
• Management of BiPAP/CPAP
• Ventilator management and care of ventilated patients
• High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) use
• Interpretation of arterial blood gases (ABGs)
• Suctioning (endotracheal tube, nasotracheal)
• Infection prevention, isolation precautions, and PPE use
• Phlebotomy
• Surgical wound care including drains and wound vac

Required Certifications

• Current California RN license
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support)
• NIH Stroke Certification
• TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course) or TCAR (Trauma Care After Resuscitation)
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) or MAB (Management of Assaultive Behavior) preferred

Compliance & Competency Requirements

• Advanced EKG exam with a passing score of 80% (two attempts allowed) except for excluded units
• Annual completion of 4 hours of trauma education or current TNCC/TCAR certification
• Medication and pharmacology competency exams with 80% passing score
• Age-specific competency exam updated annually
• Ventura RN Competencies Presentation and Validation prior to start
• Mandatory compliance training with annual renewal
• Physical exam, drug screening (10 panel), and immunization/titer requirements updated annually
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 12 months, with additional requirements for positive or equivocal results
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption with mask mandate
• COVID-19 vaccination required; declinations accepted

Required Documentation Prior to Start

• Government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License or State ID)
• Emergency contact form
• E-Verify or attestation
• Background checks including 7-year history and various federal/state databases
• California Medi-Cal exclusion check within 30 days prior to start
• Confidentiality agreement and new employee orientation attestation
• TB questionnaire and other health documents as specified
• References: 2 professional references for travel/allied/per diem acute care roles (within 3 years)

Requirements / Qualifications

• Valid RN license in California
• Neuro ICU experience of at least 1 year, with experience within the last year
• Trauma experience
• One completed travel assignment
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• BLS (Basic Life Support) issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course) or TCAR (Trauma Care After Resuscitation)
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Experience with Cerner electronic charting system

Additional Notes

• Must be able to start ASAP
• Float within the service line is required
• No travel pairs or first-time travel nurses accepted for this role

This position is ideal for experienced Neuro ICU RNs with trauma background seeking a travel contract in California with night shifts and a specialized critical care patient population.