Nurse Practitioner: PICU

Akron Children's; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Akron Children's in Akron, Ohio, is seeking an Advanced Practice Provider for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. This role delivers specialized critical care to pediatric patients, including those requiring complex cardiac management.

The ideal candidate will have a Master's or Doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner, preferably with an Acute Care Pediatric NP certification. Collaborating with various specialties, you'll manage critically ill patients while participating in quality improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Current Ohio licensure with Certificate of Authority and Certificate to Prescribe.
• National certification required; BLS, PALS, ACLS certification needed.
• No experience required; pediatric critical care experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive, 24/7 management of critically ill pediatric patients.
• Independently perform advanced health assessments.
• Initiate and manage life-sustaining therapies like mechanical ventilation.

Skills

Critical thinking

Communication Skills

Advanced clinical judgment

Pediatric critical care knowledge

Education

Master's or Doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner

Acute Care Pediatric NP certification

Tools

ECMO

Ventilator Management

Invasive Monitoring

Job description

Nights (6pm-7am)

Accepting new grads and experienced nurse practitioners (acute care peds NP preferred)

PICU/CICU Experience Preferred (RN or APP)

More Than a Job, It's a Calling

At Akron Children's, helping patients and families is at the heart of all we do. We are the only freestanding, independent pediatric hospital in the region, and our compassionate providers are committed to delivering a lasting and meaningful impact. Whether you're early in your career or a seasoned specialist, you'll find opportunities to expand your skills, pursue leadership roles, participate in research and help shape the future of pediatric health care. If you're ready to make a difference in a collaborative, child-centered environment, we can't wait to meet you!

Position Summary

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit/Heart Unit (PICU/CICU) Advanced Practice Provider (APP) delivers high‑acuity, specialized critical care to pediatric patients in a Level I trauma center, including those requiring complex medical, surgical, and cardiac management. This role includes comprehensive care of critically ill neonates, children, adolescents, and select adults across a broad spectrum of diagnoses, with dedicated responsibility for patients in the adjustable acuity Heart Unit, including CICU and acute‑care cardiology, including pre‑ and post‑operative congenital heart surgery patients and those requiring advanced support such as ECMO. The APP functions in close collaboration with intensivists and various other medical and surgical specialties (including Cardiology and Cardiothoracic surgery teams, Neurosurgery, Trauma and Pediatric Surgery, ENT, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant teams) and practices under a Standard Care Arrangement in accordance with Section 4723.431 of the Ohio Revised Code and applicable Board of Nursing regulations.

Practice Environment

• Level I Pediatric Trauma Center
• High‑acuity PICU with dedicated Heart Unit (CICU + acute‑care cardiology in an adjustable acuity setting)
• ECMO‑capable unit managing complex cardiac, respiratory, and multisystem failure
• 24/7 APP coverage model with expanded responsibility

Key Responsibilities

Critical Care & Clinical Management

• Provide comprehensive, 24/7 management of critically ill pediatric patients, including those with complex medical, cardiac, surgical, and traumatic conditions
• Independently perform advanced health assessments, develop differential diagnoses, and implement evidence‑based management plans
• Manage pre‑ and post‑operative congenital heart disease patients, including hemodynamic monitoring, vasoactive infusions, ventilator management, and recognition of surgical complications
• Provide continuous oversight of PICU/CICU patients, including nights and weekends
• Continuous oversight of cardiology routine care patients in an adjustable acuity model
• Initiate, titrate, and manage life‑sustaining therapies, including mechanical ventilation, vasoactive medications, sedation, and ECMO in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams
• Rapidly recognize and respond to clinical deterioration, including leading or participating in resuscitation and trauma response efforts

Procedures & Advanced Therapies

• Perform and assist with critical care procedures within scope of practice and privileging (e.g., central line management, arterial lines, lumbar puncture)
• Participate in the management of extracorporeal life support (ECMO), including patient selection, daily management, and troubleshooting in collaboration with ECMO specialists and physicians
• Participate in the management of extracorporeal continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)
• Order, interpret, and synthesize diagnostic studies including labs, imaging, and cardiac‑specific testing (e.g., echocardiography data interpretation in collaboration with cardiology)

Care Coordination & Collaboration

• Lead and actively participate in multidisciplinary rounds with intensivists, various medical and surgical specialties, nursing, respiratory therapy, and ancillary services
• Collaborate closely with cardiology APPs and physicians for care coordination of a highly complex and fragile population
• Facilitate timely consultations and coordinate care across specialties
• Partner with families to provide education, updates, and shared decision‑making in high‑stress, critical care situations

Documentation & Transitions of Care

• Complete admission histories and physicals, daily progress notes, procedure notes, and discharge summaries
• Ensure accurate, real‑time documentation reflecting patient acuity and complexity
• Support safe transitions of care, including handoffs and discharge planning for complex patients

Education & Leadership

• Serve as a clinical resource for bedside staff, residents, and students
• Precept APP students and contribute to the development of PICU and Heart Unit specific competencies
• Participate in ongoing education to maintain advanced knowledge in pediatric critical care, cardiology, and cardiac surgery
• Contribute to the resident learning experience in this academic institution

Quality & Compliance

• Engage in quality improvement initiatives specific to PICU/CICU populations, including outcomes related to cardiac surgery, ECMO, and trauma care
• Participate in FPPE and OPPE processes in accordance with Joint Commission and organizational standards
• Maintain compliance with all regulatory, credentialing, and privileging requirements

Technical Expertise

• Advanced clinical judgment in pediatric critical care and cardiac physiology
• Proficiency in managing high‑risk infusions/medications, ventilators, and invasive monitoring
• Strong communication and leadership skills in high‑acuity, fast‑paced environments
• Ability to function autonomously while collaborating across multidisciplinary teams

Education And Experience

• Education: Master's or Doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner (Acute Care Pediatric NP Required)
• Licensure: Current Ohio licensure with Certificate of Authority and Certificate to Prescribe (or eligibility)
• Certification: National certification through an accredited organization. BLS, PALS, and ACLS required. Credentialing and privileging through the medical staff office required.
• Years of relevant experience: No experience required. Pediatric critical care, cardiology, or cardiac surgery experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in ECMO or high‑acuity ICU environments highly desirable
• Years of supervisory experience: none