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

• High acuity ICU environment
• Patient ratio: 1:2
• Float requirement to other ICUs and Step-Down Units (SDUs)
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system required
• Preferred experience with PA catheters and balloon pumps
• No block scheduling requests accepted

Unit Specific Skills:

• CVICU: Care for post-op CABG, valve replacement/repair, aortic dissection, IABP, PA catheter
• 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
• BLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA or RQI accepted
• NIH Certification
• Other certifications may be required depending on unit assignment (e.g., PALS, NRP, TNCC, EFM) — verify with unit specifics

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Louisiana
• Minimum 1 year of ICU (Intensive Care Unit) experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• ACLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
• BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Experience with Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) in CVICU setting
• Experience with Pulmonary Artery (PA) catheter in CVICU setting
• Experience with Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system

Background and Health Requirements

• 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
• Education verification (transcript/diploma acceptable if needed)
• Sex offender search within 30 days of start, updated monthly
• Physical exam within 12 months indicating good health
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 60 days of start
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (as applicable)
  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella (positive titer or completed vaccine series)
  • Hepatitis B (positive titer, vaccine series, or booster)
  • Varicella (positive titer or vaccine series)
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 12 months, updated annually
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season (Oct 1 - Apr 30)

Additional Information

• Photo for badge required within 24 hours of booking (passport-style, recent, color photo)
• Competency exam specific to specialty required annually (minimum 80%)
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) certification not required for ICU specialties
• Fit mask testing may be required onsite if not completed prior to start
• Emergency preparedness checklist required for assignments during hurricane season (June 1 - Nov 30)

Note: Candidates should be comfortable with emergency team assignments and potential extended shifts during critical events. No block scheduling requests will be accommodated.

This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to work in a high-acuity ICU setting with a diverse patient population requiring advanced critical care skills.