SICU Nurse Job Description Template

Surgical intensive care unit (SICU) nurses provide complex care to patients immediately after their operation or procedure. As with other critical care environments, working in the SICU requires strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to keep patients safe. If your organization is looking to hire an RN to your surgical team, a well-written SICU nurse job description can help you attract highly sought-after applicants to your position.

In this sample job description, we’ll list common SICU nurse qualifications, duties, and schedule expectations to help you select the best possible candidate. We’ll also list tips to help your position stand out among the competition.

Before you craft your job description, you’ll want to get insight into your local nurse job market. Browse current SICU nurse job postings to get a feel for what other organizations are offering prospective candidates. Then, once you’ve identified the skills and abilities you’re looking for, you’ll want to develop a set of SICU nurse interview questions to help you through the candidate selection process.

SICU Nurse

Tips: At the top of your SICU nurse job description, you’ll want to introduce candidates to your organization and outline the basics of your position. Be sure to showcase any company awards or accolades and highlight your mission, vision, and values to show nurses what it’s like to work in your facility.

Template:

Ready to take the next step in your surgical nursing career? [Facility name] is looking to hire an experienced critical care nurse to join our SICU team. As the newest member of our nursing team, you’d be expected to work three 12-hour night shifts per week in our downtown acute care hospital. We’re hoping to recruit an RN with at least three years of emergency or intensive care experience.

We’re proud to be named “Charlotte’s Leading Surgical Center” and are known for providing compassionate care to all those we serve. Our SICU nursing team has earned the prestigious Beacon Award for clinical excellence, which puts us one step closer to achieving our mission of “improving the health of our community, one patient at a time.”

We know that providing high-quality care begins with our clinical team, which is why we’re proud to offer exceptional salaries and benefits to all of our full-time nurses. If this sounds like a job you’d be interested in, continue reading below as we outline the logistics of the position.

Benefits

Tips: Critical care nursing has a high burnout rate, so candidates may be hesitant to take a position in a unit with high clinical demands. Listing key benefits of your employee benefits package can show nurses why taking a job in your organization is worth the challenge. Be sure to mention a variety of professional, lifestyle, and financial perks to capture the attention of candidates with varied interests.

Template:

• Competitive pay
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• FSA/HSA options
• Paid vacation, holidays, family leave, and sick time
• 401(k) matching and access to our pension program
• $5,000 annual tuition reimbursement
• Discounts for local restaurants, gyms, and amusement parks
• $200 annual scrub and footwear stipend
• Paid continuing education credits

Duties and Responsibilities

Tips: Prospective candidates may be curious: What does a shift in your organization look like? In this section of your SICU nurse job description, you’ll want to provide details about your critical care nurse duties and responsibilities. Provide insight into any tasks unique to your organization’s SICU nurses to give candidates an accurate impression of what it’s like to work on your team.

Template:

SICU nurses at our organization are expected to perform the following duties:

• Use the nursing process to diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate the success of nursing interventions.
• Collect vital signs and communicate abnormal results to the attending physician.
• Assess postoperative surgical patients and document findings in the electronic health record (EHR).
• Participate in evidence-based practice projects to improve nursing workflows and patient outcomes.
• Provide discharge teaching to patients and their family members.

Compensation and Schedule

Tips: Once you’ve reviewed the expectations of the position, you’ll want to clarify your organization’s surgical ICU nurse salary and schedule requirements. Do your nurses get paid hourly or are they salaried? Are there any opportunities for bonuses or incentive pay?

Nurses who are serious about your position will want to make sure they have answers to questions like these before interviewing for the job. Being transparent about compensation and scheduling expectations can ensure that the nurses who apply for your position are comfortable with the salary you’re able to offer.

Template:

• Starting salary of $120,000, with adjustments subject to education level and relevant leadership experience
• Annual salary step increases are offered after strong employee performance reviews
• 3 scheduled 12-hour shifts (7p-7a) per week
• 2 weekend and 2 overnight call shifts per month
• Bi-weekly or weekly pay schedule

SICU Nurse Qualifications and Skills

Tips: Your SICU nurse job description should clarify the license and certifications required for the position. In this section, you’ll also want to list the degree and level of experience you’re looking for in a candidate. Be sure to differentiate between required and preferred qualifications to optimize your applicant pool and ensure all qualified nurses apply.

Template:

Required Qualifications:

• Active and unencumbered RN license
• ADN from an accredited nursing program
• BLS and ACLS certified
• At least 3 years of bedside nursing experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• BSN from an accredited institution
• Critical care nurse certification (CCRN)
• At least 5 years of bedside nursing experience
• Bilingual in English and Spanish

Call to Action

Tips: At the end of your SICU nurse job description, you’ll want to ensure that candidates who are interested in your position know how to apply. Guide nurses straight to the online application with a link labeled “Apply Now” or “Click Here to Apply.” If possible, provide human resources contact information to allow candidates to reach out with any questions they may have about the hiring process.

Template:

Think you have what it takes to be our SICU team’s newest nurse? Start today by clicking “Apply Now.” You can upload your resume and cover letter straight to the application form. Feel free to call our hiring manager at the phone number above if you have any questions. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing your application!

Start Recruiting Qualified Candidates Today

Once you’ve developed your SICU nurse job description, you’ll be ready to start recruiting candidates to your position. Want to make sure your posting is seen by the best in the industry? Discover how IntelyCare can match you with top-tier healthcare employees who are actively searching for work.