Original job description
Your Opportunity:
The critical care nurse is a leader and pivotal member of the inter-professional team. The CVICU RN acts as a primary caregiver to the patient and family in the critical care setting and is trained in advanced critical care certifications. Critical care nurses work collaboratively with physicians, respiratory therapists, physical and occupational therapists, pharmacists and social workers in order to achieve the best patient outcomes through a team-based approach. All adult ICUs in Calgary participate in a provincial critical care orientation program (OPACCA), offering an orientation program tailored to meet your specific learning requirements. The Foothills Medical Centre Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) is a 16 bed post-operative open heart surgery critical care unit. With a caseload of approximately 1650 surgeries per year, the CVICU focus is caring for patients in the immediate post-operative phase of their recovery after open heart surgery. The CVICU also provides care for patients requiring Extra-corporeal Life Support, Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy, Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump therapy, and Ventricular Assist Devices. The CVICU has a dynamic multidisciplinary team which work collaboratively in a very fast paced environment. Key Responsibilities Include: Provision of direct care for patients & families. Maintenance of electronic and written documentation of care. Maintain professional practice including but not limited to mentoring of unit staff, ongoing professional development, assumption of charge nurse duties when needed, promotion of a positive supportive work environment, and demonstration of professional accountability. Promotion of a healthy, respectful and safe practice environment.
Description:
As a Registered Nurse (RN), you will provide a wide variety of nursing services to patients, families, communities and populations, while taking necessary steps to ensure their safety and well-being. In your role, you will utilize nursing processes, through critical thinking, problem solving and decision making, as well as teach, counsel and advocate on behalf of patients and their families. You will play a leadership role in supporting an integrated and holistic approach to patient care, health promotion and maintenance. You will provide safe, quality patient and family centered care while reflecting the shared vision and values. PLEASE NOTE: Provisional Permit holders will be paid $40.76 to $55.79 per hour. Upon obtaining a full practice permit, the rate of pay will be adjusted to the applicable Registered Nurse rate in accordance with UNA Article 25.02(b)(i) or (ii), as applicable.
Classification: Registered Nurse Union: United Nurses of Alberta Unit and Program: Unit 94, Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Primary Location: Foothills Medical Centre Location Details: As Per Location Multi-Site: At (UNA only) FTE: 0.60 Posting End Date: 19-OCT-2026 Temporary Employee Class: Temp P/T Benefits Date Available: 09-NOV-2026 Temporary End Date: 09-NOV-2027 Hours per Shift: 11.05 Length of Shift in weeks: 12 Shifts per cycle: 24 Shift Pattern: Days, Nights, Weekends Days Off: As Per Rotation Minimum Salary: $44.56 Maximum Salary: $60.98 Vehicle Requirement: Not Applicable
Required Qualifications:
Completion of an accredited nursing education program. Active or eligible for registration and practice permit with the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA). Current Basic Cardiac Life Support - Health Care Provider (BCLS-HCP) certification.
Additional Required Qualifications:
2 years current acute care nursing experience (Cardiac and Emergency Department preferred) (within past 5 years). Proficiency in the care of mechanically ventilated patients and experience with invasive hemodynamic monitoring. Demonstrated expertise in the assessment and management of critically ill cardiovascular surgery patients. Excellent critical thinking, clinical judgment, and prioritization skills with the ability to respond effectively in high-acuity and emergency situations. Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team to provide safe, patient-centered care. Strong physical assessment skills and commitment to maintaining clinical competence.
Preferred Qualifications:
Successful completion of OPACCA. Highly preferred completion of FMC CVICU orientation. Highly preferred three (3) years of nursing experience in the FMC CVICU. Advanced Certifications: IABP, CRRT, VADs, ECMO, Charge Nurse. Adult Critical Care Nursing Certificate. ACLS certification.
More about this job
Responsibilities
Provide direct nursing care to critically ill cardiovascular surgery patients and their families, including assessment, treatment, documentation, teaching, and advocacy. Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team, support a safe and respectful practice environment, and contribute to staff mentoring, professional development, and charge nurse duties as needed.
Requirements
Requires completion of an accredited nursing education program, active or eligible registration and a practice permit with the CRNA, current BCLS-HCP certification, and two years of recent acute care nursing experience. Candidates must be proficient in caring for mechanically ventilated patients and invasive hemodynamic monitoring, with strong critical care assessment, judgment, prioritization, communication, and teamwork skills.
Skills
- Critical Care Nursing
- Mechanical Ventilation
- Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring
- Patient Assessment
- Clinical Judgment
- Critical Thinking
- Prioritization
- Emergency Response
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Patient And Family-Centered Care
- Electronic And Written Documentation
- Mentoring
- Charge Nurse Duties
- Communication
- Patient Advocacy
Visa sponsorship
Not detected in the job text
Categories
- Healthcare
- Management & Leadership
Keywords
- Registered Nurse
- Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
- Critical Care
- Open Heart Surgery
- Post-Operative Care
- Mechanical Ventilation
- Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring
- Extra-Corporeal Life Support
- Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
- Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
- Ventricular Assist Devices
- ECMO
- OPACCA
- BCLS-HCP
- ACLS
- Adult Critical Care Nursing Certificate
- CRNA Registration
- Patient And Family-Centered Care
- Interdisciplinary Team
- Clinical Judgment
- Critical Thinking
- Patient Assessment
- Electronic Documentation
- Charge Nurse
- Professional Development
