Job Responsibilities

Provide specialized, 1:1 or 1:2 high-acuity nursing care for critically ill patients recovering from complex cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgeries (e.g., CABG, valve replacement, heart transplant, or LVAD implantation).
Perform continuous, comprehensive hemodynamic monitoring using invasive lines, including arterial lines, central venous catheters, and Pulmonary Artery (Swan-Ganz) catheters.
Titrate advanced vasoactive "drip" medications (e.g., Norepinephrine, Dobutamine, Milrinone) to manage blood pressure, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance.
Operate and troubleshoot mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices, such as Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps (IABP), Impella devices, and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) circuits.
Monitor and interpret real-time cardiac rhythms, identifying life-threatening arrhythmias and managing epicardial pacing wires or external pacemakers.
Manage patients on mechanical ventilation, including monitoring airway patency, weaning protocols, and managing sedation/analgesia levels (e.g., Propofol, Dexmedetomidine).
Conduct frequent, detailed physical assessments, monitoring for post-operative complications such as cardiac tamponade, surgical hemorrhage, or acute kidney injury.
Manage post-operative chest tubes, ensuring proper suction, monitoring drainage volumes/characteristics, and identifying signs of air leaks or blockages.
Facilitate family-centered care by providing education on complex cardiac conditions and supporting families through high-stress critical care environments.
Lead or assist in rapid response and "Code Blue" interventions, performing Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) protocols in emergency situations.

Qualifications

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing (BSN highly preferred).
Minimum of 2 years of recent experience in a Cardiovascular ICU (CVICU) or a high-acuity Surgical ICU with cardiac surgical patient populations.
Expert-level proficiency in EKG/Dysrhythmia interpretation and invasive hemodynamic monitoring.
Exceptional critical thinking skills and the ability to make rapid, evidence-based decisions in life-threatening scenarios.
Strong physical and emotional resilience to manage high-stress, technical environments for 12-hour shifts.

Certifications and Licensure

Active Registered Nurse (RN) License in the practicing jurisdiction.
Current AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Current AHA Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification.
CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) or CSC (Cardiac Surgery Certification) is highly preferred.
National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification is often required.

RN - CVICU

Related Jobs