CVICU Registered Nurse
Winston Salem, North Carolina
Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - CVICU

Location: Winston Salem, North Carolina
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

Seeking a Registered Nurse with minimum 2 years of critical care experience, specifically in Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) or open heart experience. Prior travel experience is required; no first-time travelers will be accepted.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
• ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation)
• Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP)
• Post Cardiac Surgery care (directly from the OR)
• Pulmonary Artery Line/Swan Ganz monitoring
• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
• Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD/RVAD)
• Arterial line management
• Blood product administration
• Central line care/management
• Continuous IV sedation and titration of cardiac drips
• Care of ventilated patients
• Interpretation of Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs)
• Isolation precautions and PPE use

Preferred Skills:

• Accessing/managing ports
• Titration of vasoactive drips
• Assisting with chest tube insertion/removal
• BiPAP/CPAP management
• High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC)
• Ventilator management

Shift and Scheduling

• Shift: Nights (18:45 - 07:15)
• Hours: 36 hours per week
• Patient Ratios: 1:1 at night, 2:1 on weekends
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• Float Requirement: Yes
• Scheduling Type: Self-scheduling
• Orientation: Hospital orientation during week one; attendance at daily classes required

Patient Population and Unit Details

• Unit: Post Open Heart Recovery Unit
• Patient Diagnoses: Post open heart surgery, thoracotomies, esophagogastrectomies, TAVR
• Special Procedures: CRRT, Impella, IABP
• Unit Systems: SBAR communication, EPIC documentation, PYXIS medication system

Required Certifications

• 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
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)

Required Licensure

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license for North Carolina

Background and Compliance Requirements

• Background checks including local, federal, national criminal databases, sex offender search, and education verification
• Drug screening within 30 days of start (10-panel, negative result required)
• Physical exam within 1 year of start (or within 30 days if past positive TB)
• Fit mask testing (N95 or PAPR training)
• Immunizations and titers: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B (or facility-specific declination), Flu vaccination or approved exemption
• TB testing: Negative PPD, Qgold, or Tspot within 1 year; if positive, chest x-ray and physician-signed TB questionnaire required
• Flu vaccination/documentation required during flu season (or approved exemption)
• Competency exams including Dysrhythmia/EKG competency (must pass with 82% or higher within 72 hours of start)
• Medication/pharmacology competency exam as applicable
• Color blindness testing within 1 year of start
• Employment application and professional references as per agency requirements

Dress Code and Appearance

• Scrubs: Navy, white, or a combination of both
• Business-appropriate attire required for badge photo (passport style photo on white background, no hats/scarves, glasses allowed)

Additional Notes

• Candidates must have prior travel experience; first-time travelers will not be accepted.
• Must pass EKG testing prior to start.
• Orientation and training modules may require 8-10 hours to complete.
• Floating to other units may be required.
• Badge photo and documentation must be submitted promptly to avoid start delays.

Requirements / Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in North Carolina
• Minimum 2 years of Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) experience, with CVICU experience within the last year
• Completion of at least one travel nursing assignment
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Current ACLS certification issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• Current BLS certification issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Experience in interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
• Experience with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
• Experience with Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP)
• Experience with Pulmonary Artery Line/Swan Ganz monitoring
• Experience with Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
• Experience with Ventricular Assist Devices (LVAD/RVAD)
• Experience in blood product administration
• Experience with continuous IV sedation and titration of cardiac drips