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Cardiothoracic Icu Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ARMStaffing

Travel ICU Registered Nurse

York, PA · On-site

CTICU - Cardiothoracic Intensive Care * Discipline: RN * Start Date: 08/10/2026 * Duration: 13 weeks * 36 hours per week * Shift: 12 hours, nights * Employment Type: Travel Travel ICU Registered ...

Host Healthcare

Travel ICU Registered Nurse

York, PA · On-site

$2.0K - $2.8K/wk

Specialty: CTICU - Cardiothoracic Intensive Care * Discipline: RN * Start Date: 08/10/2026 ... Posted job title: RN - ICU About Host Healthcare At Host Healthcare, we provide a truly comfortable ...

Centstone HC

Registered Nurse- ICU (Night Shift)

Utica, NY · On-site

$2.2K - $2.4K/wk

Cardiothoracic ICU (CTICU) * Neuro ICU * Prior travel RN experience . * Current certifications: * BLS (AHA) * ACLS (AHA) * NIHSS * EMR Experience: EPIC required. * Experience with CRRT and Prismaflex ...

Prime Staffing

Travel ICU Registered Nurse

York, PA · On-site

$5/hr

Specialty: CTICU - Cardiothoracic Intensive Care * Discipline: RN * Start Date: 08/10/2026 ... Pre-Screen Unit - Candidate will be reviewed by clinical to determine clinical fit, if clinical ...

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Cardiothoracic ICU information

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$20

$49

$77

How much do cardiothoracic icu jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for cardiothoracic icu in the United States is $49.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38.94 and $58.89 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Cardiothoracic Icu vs Cardiothoracic Surgeon?

AspectCardiothoracic IcuCardiothoracic Surgeon
CredentialsRegistered Nurse or Critical Care CertificationMedical Degree (MD), Surgical Residency, Board Certification
Work EnvironmentIntensive Care Unit, hospital setting, patient monitoringOperating rooms, surgical wards, outpatient clinics
Primary ResponsibilitiesPatient care, monitoring, supporting recovery in ICUPerforming heart and chest surgeries, pre- and post-op care

The main difference is that Cardiothoracic ICU staff focus on critical patient care and monitoring after surgeries, while Cardiothoracic Surgeons perform the surgical procedures themselves. Both roles are essential in the cardiac care continuum but require different training and responsibilities.

What is the hardest ICU to work in a nurse?

The cardiothoracic ICU is considered one of the most challenging units for nurses due to the complexity of cardiac and thoracic patient care, the need for advanced skills in ventilator management, hemodynamic monitoring, and rapid response to critical changes. Nurses in this unit often work long shifts with high patient acuity, requiring specialized training and strong critical thinking skills.

What do cardiothoracic ICU nurses do?

Cardiothoracic ICU nurses provide specialized care to patients recovering from heart and chest surgeries, such as bypass or transplant procedures. They monitor vital signs, manage ventilators, administer medications, and collaborate with medical teams to ensure patient stability and recovery in a high-acuity environment. Certification in critical care nursing is often required for this role.

What are Cardiothoracic ICU nurses?

Cardiothoracic ICU nurses are specialized registered nurses who care for patients recovering from heart (cardiac) and lung (thoracic) surgeries or serious conditions in the intensive care unit. They monitor patients’ vital signs, administer medications, manage life-support equipment, and provide critical care after procedures such as open-heart surgery or lung transplants. These nurses work closely with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for critically ill patients.

What kind of ICU nurse makes the most money?

In the ICU setting, critical care nurses specializing in cardiothoracic intensive care often earn higher salaries due to the complexity of their work and specialized skills. Factors such as experience, certifications like CCRN or CVRN, and working in high-demand regions can also increase earning potential for ICU nurses. Generally, nurses with advanced certifications and extensive experience in cardiothoracic ICU environments tend to make the most money.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cardiothoracic ICU Nurse, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cardiothoracic ICU Nurse, you need advanced critical care knowledge, cardiac and thoracic patient assessment skills, and a current RN license, often with a BSN and CCRN certification preferred. Familiarity with ventilators, hemodynamic monitoring systems, and electronic health records is essential for managing complex post-surgical patients. Excellent communication, quick decision-making, and emotional resilience help you support patients and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality care in a high-stakes, fast-paced ICU environment.

What are some common challenges faced by nurses in a Cardiothoracic ICU, and how can they prepare for them?

Nurses in a Cardiothoracic ICU often deal with critically ill patients recovering from complex heart and lung surgeries, which can be both physically and emotionally demanding. Challenges include managing rapidly changing patient conditions, operating advanced life-support equipment, and collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams. To prepare, candidates should strengthen their skills in critical care, learn to remain calm under pressure, and seek mentorship from experienced colleagues. Continuous education and strong communication abilities are also vital for success in this high-acuity environment.

What is a cardiothoracic ICU?

A cardiothoracic ICU is a specialized intensive care unit that provides care for patients recovering from heart and chest surgeries, such as cardiac bypass or lung procedures. Staff in this unit, including nurses and physicians, monitor vital signs, manage ventilators, and administer medications to support patient recovery. Working in this environment requires knowledge of cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as well as critical care skills and certifications like ACLS or CCRN.
What cities are hiring for Cardiothoracic Icu jobs? Cities with the most Cardiothoracic Icu job openings:
Cardiothoracic ICU jobs near you

Cardiothoracic ICU Physician Assistant

Palm Careers

Burlington, MA

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

We are hiring an experienced Cardiothoracic Physician Assistant in Boston, Massachusetts!

Night Shift Opportunity ! The primary responsibilities are the Patient Management of the Post-operative Cardiothoracic Surgery patients in the Intensive Care Unit, Progressive Care Unit, and Telemetry Unit. Other responsibilities shall include...
? History & physical examinations, daily progress notes and discharge summaries
? Inpatient Consultations
? Emergency Room consultations and admissions
? Planning and coordinating all aspects of postoperative care and post discharge follow-up
? Experience withsurgical first assist with both Cardiac and Thoracic surgical procedures
? Experience with Endoscopic Vein Harvest
? Experience with Endoscopic and Open Radial Artery Harvest
? Familiarity with Robotic Thoracic Surgery
? Experience with post-operative management of both Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery patients
? Proficient with the placement and removal of chest tubes, centraland arterial lines.
? Removal of temporary epicardial pacing wires, Swan-Ganz catheters, intra-aortic balloon pumps, sutures and staples
? Participates with coverage of the inpatient Telemetry, Progressive Care Unit, Operating Room, and Operating Room Night/Weekend on-call schedule rotation
? Includes in-house weekday, weekend, and night coverage with other advanced practitionerson a rotating schedule, who provide 24/7 in-house coverage and OR first assist call

Experience/Education Requirements:
? Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program
? Must have a minimum of 2 years experience in the field of Cardiothoracic Surgery
? Experience with Intensive Care Management of the postoperative Cardiothoracic Surgery patient including familiarity with ventilators, inotropes and vasoactive medications, and circulatory support devices.
? Licensure in the state of Massachusetts
? Current BCLS or ACLS certification

The successful candidate must have a minimum of 2-5 years experience in the field of Cardiothoracic Surgery and be skilled in the care and management of pre, intra and postoperative cardiothoracic surgical patients. The successful candidate must be able to interact positively with all members of a multidisciplinary care team, patients and their families and possess the emotional intelligence to work collaboratively in a fast paced, high-acuity environment where quality and caring come first.