ICU Nurse (Neuro & Cardiovascular)
Chandler, Arizona
Chandler Regional Medical Center

ICU Nurse Opportunity - Chandler, Arizona

Position Overview

• Requires 3 full years of recent ICU experience (no exceptions).
• Experience must include either neuro or cardiovascular (CV) ICU.
• Active BLS, ACLS, NIHSS certifications required.
• Arizona license or compact license required.
• Travelers must pass a dysrhythmia exam (max 2 attempts) 24-48 hours prior to acceptance.
• Pass/fail Simulation Lab on Day 1 of orientation (study guides provided).
• Flexibility required; may float between multiple ICU units.
• Typically scheduled for every other weekend, but may require up to 3 weekends per month during busy periods.
• Self-scheduling allowed, but manager may balance shifts for unit needs.
• No additional call or standby shifts required.
• May be low censused up to 3 times per contract.
• Contract length: 13 weeks.

Units & Patient Population

Surgical ICU - Trauma Neuro Surgery

• 32 beds.
• Nurse:Patient ratio: 1:2 or 1:1.
• Level 1 Trauma Center.
• Common diagnoses: Falls, gunshot wounds, blunt trauma, motor vehicle accidents, trauma patients over age 15, ex-lap, craniotomy, specialty neuro-surgery cases, CVA, post-TPA, COVID, sepsis, ARDS.
• RNs required to titrate drips.
• Charge nurse role available (does not take patients).
• No nurse aides; sitters and Health Unit Secretary available.
• 24/7 hospitalist or intensivist coverage.
• 24/7 respiratory therapy coverage.
• Respiratory equipment includes Dreager, Hamilton, Puritan Bennett 840, V60 BiPAP, Airvo.
• No telemetry/monitor techs; RNs interpret their own strips (GE monitors).
• Scrub color: Navy.
• Orientation: 1-2 days.
• Float expectation between this unit and sister ICUs (medical/cardiac and overflow).

Medical ICU - Medical Cardiac + Overflow

• 36 medical cardiac beds + 12 overflow beds.
• Nurse:Patient ratio: 1:2 or 1:1.
• Common diagnoses: Sepsis, COVID, CRRT (not required), DKA, flu, ARDS, vascular surgeries.
• CVICU cases include on/off pump CABG, valve surgeries, post-cath, TAVR, IABP, Impella, ECMO (new as of 3/2022), Tandem Heart, esophagectomies.
• RNs required to titrate drips.
• Charge nurse role available (does not take patients).
• No nurse aides; sitters and Health Unit Secretary available.
• 24/7 hospitalist or intensivist coverage.
• 24/7 respiratory therapy coverage.
• Respiratory equipment includes Dreager, Hamilton, Puritan Bennett 840, V60 BiPAP, Airvo.
• No telemetry/monitor techs; RNs interpret their own strips (GE monitors).
• Scrub color: Navy.
• Orientation: 1-2 days.
• Float expectation between this unit and sister ICUs (surgical ICU and overflow).

Clinical Skills & Responsibilities

• Must be comfortable titrating drips such as:

  • Propofol, fentanyl, versed, precedex, morphine, dilaudid, ketamine, rocuronium
  • Levophed, vasopressin, cardene, labetalol, dopamine, dobutamine, heparin, insulin
• Charge nurse duties available (no patient assignments).
• Must be able to interpret cardiac telemetry strips independently.
• Experience with trauma, neuro, and specialty devices will be validated as needed.

Scheduling & Work Environment

• Self-scheduling with managerial oversight.
• Weekend requirement: 3 weekend shifts per 4-week schedule.

  • Night shift weekends: Friday-Saturday.
  • Day shift weekends: Saturday-Sunday.
• May have 1 holiday off per assignment.
• No additional call or standby shifts.
• Floating to telemetry unit with 1:3 or 1:4 nurse:patient ratio as needed.
• No nurse aides on unit; sitters and Health Unit Secretary support available.
• Scrub color: Navy.

Additional Notes

• First-time travelers are welcome but must meet experience requirements.
• Preferred candidates have prior experience in similar-sized ICU units.
• Radius rule: Candidates must live within 50 miles and not have worked full-time, part-time, or PRN at any associated facilities within the past year.
• Minimum every other weekend scheduling; may work up to 3 weekends per month.
• Orientation lasts 1-2 days and includes skills validation.

This position offers a challenging and rewarding ICU nursing experience in a Level 1 trauma center with diverse patient populations and advanced technology.