PICU Nurse

Position Summary

The Registered Nurse – Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is responsible for delivering safe, evidence-based, family-centered nursing care to critically ill infants, children, and adolescents requiring intensive monitoring and life-support interventions. The PICU Nurse works collaboratively with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualized patient care while maintaining the highest standards of clinical excellence, patient safety, and professional ethics.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Care

• Provide comprehensive nursing care to critically ill pediatric patients admitted to the PICU.
  
• Perform comprehensive patient assessments and continuously monitor physiological status.
  
• Recognize and respond promptly to changes in patient condition, escalating concerns appropriately.
  
• Develop, implement, and evaluate individualized nursing care plans.
  
• Administer medications, intravenous therapies, blood products, and specialized treatments safely and accurately.
  
• Operate and monitor advanced critical care equipment, including:
  • Mechanical ventilators
    
  • Cardiac monitors
    
  • Infusion and syringe pumps
    
  • Central venous pressure (CVP) monitoring systems
    
  • Arterial lines
    
  • High-flow oxygen therapy
    
• Assist physicians during emergency procedures including intubation, central line insertion, chest tube insertion, lumbar puncture, and resuscitation.
  
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation within the electronic medical record (EMR).
  

Patient & Family Care

• Deliver compassionate, family-centered care while supporting patients and families during critical illness.
  
• Educate parents and caregivers regarding treatment plans, procedures, medications, and discharge instructions.
  
• Promote family involvement while maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality.
  

Patient Safety & Quality

• Ensure compliance with infection prevention and control policies.
  
• Adhere to medication safety standards and hospital clinical protocols.
  
• Identify and report clinical risks, adverse events, and patient safety incidents.
  
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, audits, and accreditation activities.
  

Collaboration

• Collaborate effectively with pediatric intensivists, physicians, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dietitians, and allied health professionals.
  
• Participate in multidisciplinary rounds and contribute to clinical decision-making.
  
• Support mentoring and orientation of newly hired nursing staff and students when assigned.
  

Professional Development

• Maintain professional competency through continuing education and mandatory training.
  
• Participate in departmental meetings, educational sessions, and competency assessments.
  
• Demonstrate professional accountability in accordance with the Department of Health (DOH) regulations, hospital policies, and nursing ethical standards.
  

Requirements

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution.
  

Licensure

• Valid DOH Registered Nurse License, or
  
• Eligibility for DOH licensing through DataFlow verification and examination.
  

Experience

• Minimum of two (2) years of recent clinical experience in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) within an acute care hospital.
  
• Previous experience in a tertiary or academic hospital is preferred.
  

Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
  
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) – Required
  
• Advanced Life Support (ACLS) – Preferred
  
• Other specialty critical care certifications are an advantage.