The Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit provides nursing care for adult and pediatric patients requiring intensive and acute care for the patient population requiring surgical treatment of cardiac or thoracic problems. This population includes patients requiring or having previously had surgery on the organs of the thoracic cavity, including heart, lungs or the great vessels. Off-service patients requiring ICU, cardiac monitoring or other nursing services are admitted, as beds are available.

No. of Beds: 19
Nurse Patient Ratio: 1:1-2

The most common surgical procedures include:
• Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
• Valve Repair and/or Replacement
• Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Repair
• Heart and lung Transplant (annually)
• Congenital Cardiac Defect Repairs

Frequent Procedures/Services/Functions
• Use of nursing process: assessment, planning, interventions, and evaluation.
• Invasive homodynamic monitoring, e.g., Arterial, CVP, PA and LA.
• Continuous cardiac monitoring with dysrhythmia interpretation.
• Continuous nursing assessment and evaluation of patient's physical and emotional needs and corresponding therapeutic interventions.
• Therapeutic modalities including chest tube maintenance, temporary external pacing, permanent invasive pacing, ventilator support, CRRT,peritonial dialysis, emergency resuscitation including defibrillation/cardioversion, management of intra-aortic balloon pump, assist with management of LVAD,and ECMO, medication delivery and pharmacological interventions including intravenous vasoactive and antiarrhythmic drugs, anticoagulation, and immunosuppressive therapy.
• Blood and blood products administration.
• Management of artificial airways and mechanically ventilated patient.
• Oxygen therapy and pulse oximetry.
• Maintenance of skin integrity.
• Nutritional support (enteral feedings, TPN and patient weights).
• Psychosocial and emotional support for patient and family
• Infection control and safety management.

More than 50% of patients are pediatric patients with complex congenital anomalies.

Hours of Operation
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Shifts are 12-hours in length and follow the American rotation. Overtime is available.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or Associate’s degree or Diploma in Nursing, and
• Current nursing (RN) license in Canada or the United States, and
• A minimum of two years current experience as a Registered Nurse, of which at least one must be in the specialty area, working in a mid- to large-sized acute-care hospital in North America.

Benefits:

• Tax-free income
• Single-status contract
• Accommodations provided
• Relocation allowance
• More than 7 calendar weeks of vacation