Surgical Intensive Care Nurse Jobs
Surgical Intensive Care Nurse jobs are open across hospitals, academic medical centers, and trauma networks, from new-grad RN to senior clinical specialist, with specializations in post-operative care, hemodynamic monitoring, and critical care management. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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SCHEDULE: 3PM-3AM
HOURS: 36 HOURS PER WEEK PREFERRED ( MAY CONSIDER PART TIME APPLICANT)
Every 3rd weekend and rotating holiday requirement
Trauma Surgical Intensive Care Unit (TSICU):
TSICU is a 10-bed unit which provides care to critically ill trauma and surgical patients per the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation definition for adult (15 years of age and older) patients. TSICU also serves as an overflow unit for surgical patients. Procedures and care provided include, but are not limited to: post-operative patients requiring invasive hemodynamic monitoring/ventilatory management or extensive nursing care, hourly neuro checks, parenteral antihypertensive therapy, EEG monitoring, ICP monitoring-ventric, neuro monitoring (BIS), arteriovenous malfunction (AVM), aneurysm post op care, CRRT, mechanical ventilation, and SAH/SDH/EDH.
General Summary
Acts as a receptionist for visitors and serves as a central contact for telephone calls and a distribution point for paper and electronic communication, laboratory and test results. Interacts daily with visitors, patients, physicians and staff and displays a positive, helpful attitude. Demonstrates ability to accurately transcribe physician orders and creates and maintains the medical record. Schedules patient care services. Is responsible for electronic data entry and retrieval. Is a key member of the care delivery team. Provides clinical support services to patient care staff by performing a variety of duties related to patient care. Takes patient vital signs, assists patients with activities of daily living (e.g., bathing, feeding, toileting, etc.), inventories and replenishes supplies and equipment. May perform special assigned duties such as performing EKGs and Point-of-Care testing.
Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions:
- Provides general nursing care and personal care assistance to patients, including bathing, dressing, eating, changing bed linens and bed pans and positioning.
- Assists in the preparation and transportation of patients for tests, procedures, etc..
- Monitors patient condition levels; reports changes to the appropriate individuals.
- Ensures patient rooms, nursing areas, supply carts, etc. are stocked with appropriate items at required levels.
- Maintains par levels of supplies and equipment on assigned unit(s). Notifies supervisor when reorder points are reached.
- Greets, directs and assists physicians, visitors, patients and ancillary department staff. Orients patients to their rooms as appropriate.
- Answers telephone using personable etiquette. Answers inquiries by providing accurate information or forwarding callers to appropriate resource. Responds to intercom and email. Identifies emergency messages, directs information to the appropriate personnel. Maintains confidentiality.
- Enters and/or retrieves data from established computer files using knowledge of various computer applications designed for functions such as patient management, patient census, acuity, composer, bed tracking, transport, etc.. Serves as a knowledgeable resource for multiple applications such as, Patient Management and PowerChart. Keeps current with system/application upgrades. Offers/provides assistance to others in navigating IS applications.
- Performs a variety of duties related to the creation and maintenance of the patient medical record in a manner which expedites patient admission, transfer and discharge. Assembles and copies charts and forms, ensuring charts contain necessary forms. Ensures all medical records have signed orders and an H & P. Places transcribed orders on the chart. Monitors and flags missing items daily. Performs data entry, chart preparation, filing and photocopying in accordance with appropriate policies.
- Transcribes orders and documents on the paper or electronic record. Places pharmacy orders on the MAR. Follows up on orders and checks on open orders. Ensures verbal orders are signed according to Hospital policy.
- Consults with appropriate clinical/nonclinical personnel to resolve issues, concerns from patients’ medical record, ancillary department results, patient/family inquiries, etc..
- Schedules tests, procedures and other patient services. Confers with clinical care provider regarding sequencing of tests, patient activity tolerance and special needs, as appropriate.
- Communicates changes in the patient’s condition and other urgent information to the Registered Nurse in a timely manner. Reports actual and potential problems concerning patients, families, staff and appropriate departments to the team members and the charge nurse/nurse manager.
- Communicates delay/difficulties in providing services or alteration of routine. Acknowledges and responds to patient alarms and notifies appropriate care provider as needed.
- Orders and stocks supplies on an ongoing basis.
Common Expectations:
- Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the assigned patient population. Assesses and interprets patient age specific data and provides appropriate, age specific treatment. Provides direct patient care to assigned patient age group(s).
- Demonstrates a commitment to patient, visitor and staff by: complying with all applicable safety regulations; learning the impact of medical errors and methodology that will lead to reduction of errors; reporting actual and potential errors, as well as hazardous conditions; identifying opportunities to standardize processes and "error proof" systems that will lead to increased safety; and participating in safety education programs and root cause analyses as required.
- Maintains effective communication and good relationships with other disciplines within the facility for the patient’s benefit.
- Demonstrates interpersonal communication to enhance/maintain good relationships. Takes a proactive approach to solving problems or behaviors. Displays a positive attitude as demonstrated through verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Treats all individuals with respect, courtesy and empathy. Willingly assists others with questions. Introduces self to visitors and offers assistance. Verbal and non-verbal responses are courteous, friendly and caring.
- Demonstrates behavior consistent with System mission, vision, goals, objectives and patient care philosophy.
- Identifies own learning needs and seeks appropriate education. Participates in meetings, on committees and represents the department and Hospital in community outreach efforts. Enhances growth and development and enriches personal knowledge and skill through participation in educational programs and affiliations.
- Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.
Benefits Offered:
- Comprehensive health benefits
- Retirement savings plan
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Education assistance
- Financial education and support, including DailyPay
- Expanded Paid Parental Leave
For additional details: Benefits & Incentives | WellSpan Careers (joinwellspan.org)
Qualifications
Minimum Education:
- High School Diploma or GED Required
Work Experience:
- Less than 1 year Relevant experience. Required
Licenses:
- Basic Life Support Upon Hire Required
- Certified Nurse Aide Upon Hire Preferred
Courses and Training:
- Completion of course for unit secretaries and medical terminology. Upon Hire Preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Excellent communication/interpersonal skills.
- Excellent computer skills and ability to use various software applications in a windows environment.
SCHEDULE: 3PM-3AM
HOURS: 36 HOURS PER WEEK PREFERRED ( MAY CONSIDER PART TIME APPLICANT)
Every 3rd weekend and rotating holiday requirement
Trauma Surgical Intensive Care Unit (TSICU):
TSICU is a 10-bed unit which provides care to critically ill trauma and surgical patients per the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation definition for adult (15 years of age and older) patients. TSICU also serves as an overflow unit for surgical patients. Procedures and care provided include, but are not limited to: post-operative patients requiring invasive hemodynamic monitoring/ventilatory management or extensive nursing care, hourly neuro checks, parenteral antihypertensive therapy, EEG monitoring, ICP monitoring-ventric, neuro monitoring (BIS), arteriovenous malfunction (AVM), aneurysm post op care, CRRT, mechanical ventilation, and SAH/SDH/EDH.
General Summary
Acts as a receptionist for visitors and serves as a central contact for telephone calls and a distribution point for paper and electronic communication, laboratory and test results. Interacts daily with visitors, patients, physicians and staff and displays a positive, helpful attitude. Demonstrates ability to accurately transcribe physician orders and creates and maintains the medical record. Schedules patient care services. Is responsible for electronic data entry and retrieval. Is a key member of the care delivery team. Provides clinical support services to patient care staff by performing a variety of duties related to patient care. Takes patient vital signs, assists patients with activities of daily living (e.g., bathing, feeding, toileting, etc.), inventories and replenishes supplies and equipment. May perform special assigned duties such as performing EKGs and Point-of-Care testing.
Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions:
- Provides general nursing care and personal care assistance to patients, including bathing, dressing, eating, changing bed linens and bed pans and positioning.
- Assists in the preparation and transportation of patients for tests, procedures, etc..
- Monitors patient condition levels; reports changes to the appropriate individuals.
- Ensures patient rooms, nursing areas, supply carts, etc. are stocked with appropriate items at required levels.
- Maintains par levels of supplies and equipment on assigned unit(s). Notifies supervisor when reorder points are reached.
- Greets, directs and assists physicians, visitors, patients and ancillary department staff. Orients patients to their rooms as appropriate.
- Answers telephone using personable etiquette. Answers inquiries by providing accurate information or forwarding callers to appropriate resource. Responds to intercom and email. Identifies emergency messages, directs information to the appropriate personnel. Maintains confidentiality.
- Enters and/or retrieves data from established computer files using knowledge of various computer applications designed for functions such as patient management, patient census, acuity, composer, bed tracking, transport, etc.. Serves as a knowledgeable resource for multiple applications such as, Patient Management and PowerChart. Keeps current with system/application upgrades. Offers/provides assistance to others in navigating IS applications.
- Performs a variety of duties related to the creation and maintenance of the patient medical record in a manner which expedites patient admission, transfer and discharge. Assembles and copies charts and forms, ensuring charts contain necessary forms. Ensures all medical records have signed orders and an H & P. Places transcribed orders on the chart. Monitors and flags missing items daily. Performs data entry, chart preparation, filing and photocopying in accordance with appropriate policies.
- Transcribes orders and documents on the paper or electronic record. Places pharmacy orders on the MAR. Follows up on orders and checks on open orders. Ensures verbal orders are signed according to Hospital policy.
- Consults with appropriate clinical/nonclinical personnel to resolve issues, concerns from patients’ medical record, ancillary department results, patient/family inquiries, etc..
- Schedules tests, procedures and other patient services. Confers with clinical care provider regarding sequencing of tests, patient activity tolerance and special needs, as appropriate.
- Communicates changes in the patient’s condition and other urgent information to the Registered Nurse in a timely manner. Reports actual and potential problems concerning patients, families, staff and appropriate departments to the team members and the charge nurse/nurse manager.
- Communicates delay/difficulties in providing services or alteration of routine. Acknowledges and responds to patient alarms and notifies appropriate care provider as needed.
- Orders and stocks supplies on an ongoing basis.
Common Expectations:
- Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the assigned patient population. Assesses and interprets patient age specific data and provides appropriate, age specific treatment. Provides direct patient care to assigned patient age group(s).
- Demonstrates a commitment to patient, visitor and staff by: complying with all applicable safety regulations; learning the impact of medical errors and methodology that will lead to reduction of errors; reporting actual and potential errors, as well as hazardous conditions; identifying opportunities to standardize processes and "error proof" systems that will lead to increased safety; and participating in safety education programs and root cause analyses as required.
- Maintains effective communication and good relationships with other disciplines within the facility for the patient’s benefit.
- Demonstrates interpersonal communication to enhance/maintain good relationships. Takes a proactive approach to solving problems or behaviors. Displays a positive attitude as demonstrated through verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Treats all individuals with respect, courtesy and empathy. Willingly assists others with questions. Introduces self to visitors and offers assistance. Verbal and non-verbal responses are courteous, friendly and caring.
- Demonstrates behavior consistent with System mission, vision, goals, objectives and patient care philosophy.
- Identifies own learning needs and seeks appropriate education. Participates in meetings, on committees and represents the department and Hospital in community outreach efforts. Enhances growth and development and enriches personal knowledge and skill through participation in educational programs and affiliations.
- Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.
Benefits Offered:
- Comprehensive health benefits
- Retirement savings plan
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Education assistance
- Financial education and support, including DailyPay
- Expanded Paid Parental Leave
For additional details: Benefits & Incentives | WellSpan Careers (joinwellspan.org)
Qualifications
Minimum Education:
- High School Diploma or GED Required
Work Experience:
- Less than 1 year Relevant experience. Required
Licenses:
- Basic Life Support Upon Hire Required
- Certified Nurse Aide Upon Hire Preferred
Courses and Training:
- Completion of course for unit secretaries and medical terminology. Upon Hire Preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Excellent communication/interpersonal skills.
- Excellent computer skills and ability to use various software applications in a windows environment.
See All 49 Surgical Intensive Care Nurse Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSurgical Intensive Care Nurse Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Boston Medical Center11
- Sentara5
- Methodist Health System5
- Cleveland Clinic3
- Roper St. Francis Healthcare3
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
- Science & Research
- Non-Profit & Social Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in surgical intensive care nurse jobs.
- Current RN licensure in the state of employment required
- Minimum one to two years of ICU or critical care nursing experience
- BLS and ACLS certification required at time of hire
- Experience with mechanical ventilation and hemodynamic monitoring
- CCRN certification preferred or required within defined timeframe
- Proficiency with electronic health record systems in acute care settings
Tips for Your Surgical Intensive Care Nurse Job Search
Tailor your resume to SICU protocols
List the specific monitoring systems you've used, ventilator management experience, and any post-cardiac or post-transplant patient populations you've cared for. Hiring managers in surgical ICU settings scan for these details before reading anything else on your resume.
Highlight certifications beyond basic RN
CCRN and CSC credentials signal readiness for complex surgical patients. If you've completed ACLS, TNCC, or specialty post-operative training, place those near the top of your resume so they're visible before a recruiter reaches your work history.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists surgical intensive care nurse openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target units by surgical subspecialty
Cardiothoracic SICU, neurosurgical ICU, and trauma surgical ICU have different patient acuity and skill expectations. Narrow your search by subspecialty so your application speaks directly to what that unit sees every shift.
Prepare for clinical scenario interviews
SICU interviews frequently include hemodynamic instability scenarios, ventilator weaning questions, and post-op complication prompts. Practice walking through your clinical reasoning out loud, referencing the specific interventions and monitoring parameters you'd use.
Negotiate shift differentials and on-call terms
Surgical ICU positions often include mandatory call coverage and rotating nights. Before accepting an offer, ask how call shifts are distributed, what the differential rate is for nights and weekends, and how often staffing ratios change during low-census periods.
Surgical Intensive Care Nurse Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most surgical intensive care nurses?
The most active employers for surgical intensive care nurses right now are Boston Medical Center, Sentara, and Methodist Health System, and the most openings are in Massachusetts, Virginia, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Academic medical centers and large regional trauma systems tend to post the highest volumes of SICU openings.
How many surgical intensive care nurse jobs are remote?
About 0% of surgical intensive care nurse openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of bedside critical care. The sub-areas most compatible with remote or hybrid arrangements include SICU case management, post-discharge care coordination, and telephonic clinical review roles.
How do you become a surgical intensive care nurse?
Start by earning your RN license through an accredited nursing program, then gain experience in a general ICU or step-down unit before transitioning to a surgical ICU. Obtain ACLS certification early, seek out post-operative and hemodynamic monitoring experience, and pursue your CCRN once you meet the clinical hours requirement for that credential.
How do you get hired as a surgical intensive care nurse with little experience?
Hospitals with nurse residency programs often hire new RNs directly into SICU tracks, so target those listings specifically. During interviews, emphasize any clinical rotations, simulation training, or preceptorships in critical care. Float pool and step-down positions at the same facility can also serve as a direct pathway into a dedicated surgical ICU role.
What does the surgical intensive care nurse interview process look like?
Most SICU interview processes include an initial phone screen with HR, followed by a clinical panel interview with the nurse manager and charge nurses on the unit. Expect scenario-based questions about post-operative complications, ventilator management, and prioritization under high patient acuity. Some facilities also include a unit tour and an informal conversation with current staff before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to surgical intensive care nurse jobs?
You can find and apply to surgical intensive care nurse jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your specialty, experience level, and preferred location, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 49 Surgical Intensive Care Nurse Jobs
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