CTICU Cardiothoracic Intensive Care RN
Aurora, Colorado
University of Colorado Hospital

Registered Nurse, Cardio Thoracic ICU

Role Overview

• Unit: CT ICU, 24 beds (17 total staffed beds)
• Location: Aurora, Colorado
• Employment type: Travel/Contract, 13 weeks
• Shifts: Night 3x12 (19:00-7:30) or Day 3x12 (7:00-19:30)
• Hours: 12 hours per day, 36 hours per week, various days of the week
• Nurse-to-patient ratios: Based on acuity, 1:2, 1:1, or 2:1
• On-call: Not required
• Floating: May float within scope to meet facility needs or between like units, per unit needs
• First-time travelers: Accepted
• Scrub color: Navy
• Charting system: Epic

Patient Population and Services

• Regional destination for comprehensive circulatory and respiratory support for critically ill adults
• Open-heart surgeries, ventricular assist devices, heart and lung transplants, ECMO, aortic aneurysm repair, and vascular and thoracic surgeries
• Bedside modalities range from vasoactive medications to complete cardiopulmonary support
• Multidisciplinary team focused on holistic health, supportive education, and improving outcomes

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Colorado, required within 60 days of start
• CTICU - Cardiothoracic Intensive Care experience (2 years), including experience within the last year
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support issued by American Heart Association
• BLS issued by American Heart Association
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing

Competencies (within 1 year of start, updated annually)

• Competency exam, minimum score of 80%
• Core Parts I, II, and III, minimum score of 80%
• OSHA Mandatory, minimum score of 80%
• Medication test/pharmacology competency exam
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam, minimum score of 80%, required for ICU units

Background and Verification

• 7-year background check within 60 days of start, including SSN trace, state and national criminal checks, education verification, sex offender search, and OFAC sanctions search
• Nursing school must be accredited by CCNE or ACEN
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks within 60 days of start
• E-Verify or attestation
• Colorado CAPS check within 60 days of start
• NURSYS verification within 60 days of start
• Driver's license or state ID, with clear copies of front and back
• Proof of name change, if applicable
• Candidates with gaps of 15+ days are considered new and must meet the full requirement

Work History and References

• Employment history covering the last 3 years, with gaps over 30 days explained
• Employment history after graduation is accepted if graduation was within the last 3 years
• Attestations are not accepted
• 2 references from the last two years, one from employment within the last year
• Both references must be from a Charge RN, Manager, Supervisor, or above; preceptors are acceptable

Health Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start, updated annually, signed by an MD, DO, NP, or PA (not a chiropractor)
• TDAP vaccine within 10 years, or a signed declination within 1 year of start
• Negative TB test (QuantiFERON, T-SPOT, or 2-step PPD) within 1 year, updated annually; positive results require a chest X-ray and TB questionnaire
• Measles, mumps, and rubella immunity: positive titer or 2 vaccines
• Hepatitis B immunity: positive titer, vaccine series, or declination
• Varicella immunity: positive titer or 2 vaccines
• COVID vaccine documentation or signed declination (AstraZeneca, Pfizer, or Moderna accepted)
• Drug testing within 30 days of start, updated annually
• N95 fit test within 12 months of start, updated annually; PAPR available if needed
• Current seasonal flu vaccine or approved facility exemption; declination forms are not accepted
• Ishihara color blind exam completed before start date; online testing not accepted, and it cannot be completed onsite

Onboarding

• Employee data sheet completed within 24 hours of signing
• Facility-specific new employee orientation modules completed within the first two weeks of assignment