PICU Nurse Job Description Template

Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) nurses treat critically-ill infants and children. They not only provide developmentally appropriate care to patients, but they also support and empower family members to get involved in their child’s plan of care. If you’re looking to recruit an RN with specialized training and experience, crafting an enticing PICU nurse job description can help you attract the candidates you’re looking for.

If you’re a facility administrator, you may be curious about what a detailed job description for a PICU nurse should look like. What elements should you include to make your position competitive? In this job description template, we’ll review common PICU nurse skills, duties, and qualifications. We’ll also list strategies to help your position stand out among the rest.

Before you get started, you’ll want to browse other PICU nurse jobs to see the salary and scheduling options other local facilities are offering. Then, after identifying the type of candidate you’re looking for, you’ll want to develop a set of well-written PICU nurse interview questions to help you through the next phase of the hiring process.

PICU Nurse

Tips: When crafting a job description for PICU nurses, you’ll want to start off by briefly introducing your facility and listing the basic qualifications you’re looking for. What are your values and goals? Are you looking to hire an experienced PICU nurse or are you more interested in hiring a new graduate? Answer these questions near the top of your PICU nurse job description to attract great candidates right from the start.

Template:

Ready to take your PICU nursing career to the next level? [Facility name] is looking to hire an experienced PICU RN to join our pediatric critical care team. You’d be expected to work 12-hour night shifts at our downtown children’s hospital. Top applicants will have at least two years of previous PICU experience and be PALS certified.

Our PICU was recently designated as a Magnet Certified unit and we’re proud to foster our organization’s values of curiosity, clinical excellence, and compassion every day. Interested to learn more about the position? Continue reading as we review our PICU nurse duties, compensation, and benefits package.

Benefits

Tips: In this next section, you’ll want to share details about your organization’s employee benefits package. List a variety of professional, financial, and lifestyle perks to attract candidates with varied interests.

Template:

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

Duties and Responsibilities

Tips: PICU nurses work in a variety of settings, including acute care hospitals, critical care transport teams, and organ procurement agencies. Because each organization has its own nursing duties and responsibilities, you’ll want to make sure your PICU nurse job description clearly outlines what’s expected of your clinicians.

Provide insight into the types of patients you care for and give nurses an idea of what it’s like to work a shift on your PICU team. The list doesn’t need to be thorough, but should hit home on the most frequently performed duties. Listing non-traditional PICU nurse expectations can ensure that those selected for interviews are comfortable performing the required tasks.

Template:

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

• Assist with patient admission, documenting their medical history and physical assessment findings in the electronic health record (EHR)
• Collect vital signs and report any abnormal findings to the medical team
• Administer IV, PO, and IO medications, taking note of any allergies or medication contraindications
• Manage artificial airways like endotracheal tubes and tracheostomies and ensure adequate oxygenation
• Assist with bedside procedures like catheter insertions, chest tube placements, head ultrasounds, and echocardiograms
• Feed patients and document their intake volume
• Educate parents on the plan of care and involve them in treatment interventions when possible

Compensation and Schedule

Tips: Here, you’ll want to outline your organization’s PICU nurse salary, along with any opportunities for overtime pay, shift differential, or end-of-year bonuses. Being transparent in this section of your PICU nurse job description will ensure that those who apply for the position are comfortable with the pay you’re able to offer.

Next, describe the schedule expectations of the position. Be sure to list any night, weekend, holiday, or on-call requirements to prevent frustration or confusion down the line.

Template:

• Starting salary of $120,000, with adjustments made for relevant education and experience
• Full-time employment, working three scheduled 12-hour shifts per week (7a-7p)
• Overtime, holiday, and incentive pay available
• Night and weekend shift differential
• Bi-weekly pay periods

PICU Nurse Qualifications and Skills

Tips: After grabbing the interest of prospective candidates, you’ll want to specify the PICU nurse education requirements, licensure, and experience level you’re looking for. Differentiate required PICU nurse skills from those that are preferred to prevent turning away candidates who may be a strong fit but may not have every qualification you’re looking for.

Template:

Required Qualifications:

• Active and unencumbered RN license
• ADN required, BSN preferred
• BLS, ACLS, and PALS certified
• At least 2 years of PICU nursing experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• PICU nurse certification (CCRN)
• At least 5 years of PICU nursing experience
• Bilingual in English and Spanish

Call to Action

Tips: Once you’ve provided candidates with all of the necessary job information, they’ll probably want to know how to apply for your position. Include a link labeled “Apply Now” or “Click Here to Apply” to guide them straight to your online application. Listing human resources contact details can allow candidates to reach out with any questions they may have about the application process.

Template:

Think you have what it takes to work on our PICU team? Start today by clicking “Apply Now.” Feel free to call our hiring manager at the phone number above if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing your application!

Start Connecting With Qualified Professionals Today

Now that you’ve written a great PICU nurse job description, you’re ready to start recruiting candidates. Want to ensure your position is seen by the best in the industry? Post your vacancies to IntelyCare’s premier healthcare hiring board to match with over 1 million qualified clinicians actively looking for a job.