Clinical Assistant PICU

Children's of Alabama; Birmingham, Northern (AL, KY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Children's of Alabama in Birmingham is expanding its Critical Care PICU on the Main Campus Quarterback Tower. This full-time day-shift position (7am–7pm) includes weekends and 12-hour shifts, located on site.

You will work under RNs and LPNs to provide assistive care and clear communication for patients, families, and the care team, with a focus on patient-centered outcomes. Candidates need recent patient care experience or enrollment in a medical program, and CNA/CMA/PCT or EMT certification,

Qualifications

• Six months of patient care experience within the last two years.
• Enrolled in a medical related college program and in clinical rotation.
• CNA, CMA, PCT or EMT certification.

Responsibilities

• Works under the supervision of RNs and LPNs to provide assistive care and communication for patients, team members, professional, and technical staff, and visitors.

Job description

In Critical Care PICU at Main Campus Quarterback Tower

Work schedule will be Full-time on the Day Shift, 7am - 7 pm and weekends.

Summary

Works under the supervision of RNs and LPNs to provide assistive care and communication for patients, team members, professional, and technical staff, and visitors.

Other information

• Candidate must have at least one of the following:
  • Six months of patient care experience within the last two years.
  • Enrolled in a medical related college program and in clinical rotation.
  • CNA,CMA, PCT or EMT certification.

Credentials with Equivalent Qualifications

• Basic Life Support

Education with Equivalent Qualifications

• High School Diploma Graduate or Equivalent

Experience with Equivalent Qualifications

• 1 Year job experience as Staff Level with specialization in the field of Patient Care Support or any of the following equivalent qualifications below:
  • Certified Nursing Assistant
  • Certified Medical Assistant AAMA
  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
  • Certified Medical Assistant ARMA
  • Certified Patient Care Technician
  • Certified Emergency Medical Technician ADPH

In the spring of 2026, the Special Care Unit (SCU), our critical care step-down and the Pediatric ICU (PICU) will combine to create a new 50-bed, acuity-adjusted PICU. This new unit will be located on the 12th floor of the Russell Building, allowing Children's to better meet the needs of our highest-acuity patients in Alabama. The PICU has 24/7 Pediatric Intensivist coverage, as well as Pediatric ICU Fellows and Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Pediatric Hospital Medicine coverage as well as General Surgery will also be part of the PICU team. The collaboration between the disciplines is excellent. Patient-Family Centered Rounds are done 2-3 times daily with participation from family and staff. There is a multi-disciplinary team of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, chaplains, respiratory therapists, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and child life therapists who work together to meet the needs of our patients. The PICU patient population is very diverse. About 60 % of the patients are medical patients and about 40% are surgical. Of the surgical patients, half are trauma patients. We care for children with a wide variety of diagnoses including but not limited to: respiratory failure, renal failure, shock, status epilepticus, status asthmatics, GI bleeding, hematology/oncology diagnoses, and burns. We also care for patients requiring ECMO and CRRT, and post-Liver or Kidney transplant patients. We care for patients ranging from days old up to 21+ (chronic patients still under the care of their pediatric subspecialists). The average patient length of stay is between 3-4 days. Our normal nurse to patient ratio is 1:1 or 1:2 and sometimes in extremely critical patients 2:1 (such as ECMO, or patients requiring massive transfusion resuscitation). Our Charge Nurses do not take a patient load and manage the day-to-day operation and patient flow in the unit. Depending on census/acuity there will be 1 to 2 Resource PICU nurses who float around the unit assisting with procedures, admissions, transfers, and codes. PICU physicians and nurses also respond to Codes throughout the hospital, and act as back-ups for the rapid response team. Our new Pediatric ICU offers a welcoming environment for new staff, so they can learn and develop new skills. Our multidisciplinary approach, commitment to excellence, focus on teamwork and dedication to patient care helps us ensure we provide the very best for our patients and families.

Schedule: 7am - 7 pm and weekends, Day Shift, 12-Hour Shifts