Critically ill patients require nurses who thrive in complexity, think decisively under pressure, and deliver compassionate care at the highest level. In UVA Health's Medical ICU, your clinical judgment and expertise directly shape outcomes for some of the most medically complex patients in the health system.
This role offers the opportunity to practice at the top of your license in a high-acuity, academically driven ICU environment, where interdisciplinary collaboration, advanced therapies, and continuous learning are part of every shift. Nurses in the MICU build highly specialized skill sets while contributing to a culture grounded in safety, teamwork, and professional growth.
The Role
The Medical ICU (MICU) at UVA Health is a 28-bed critical care unit spanning two pods, designed to care for adults experiencing complex, multisystem illness. This is a fast-paced, high-acuity environment where no two shifts are alike and clinical expertise is constantly evolving.
In this role, you will deliver comprehensive, relationship-based care while partnering closely with an interdisciplinary team to manage critically ill patients and support their families through complex clinical journeys. A typical day blends advanced technical care, real-time clinical decision-making, and meaningful collaboration.
Provide direct care to high-acuity patients with diagnoses such as sepsis, respiratory failure, cancer, GI bleed, and multisystem organ failure
Manage advanced therapies and technologies, including mechanical ventilation, CRRT, vasoactive infusions, continuous EEG, invasive hemodynamic monitoring, and complex line management
Participate in team huddles and bedside handoffs to ensure safe, coordinated transitions of care
Work within acuity-based assignments, typically 1:1 to 1:2 nurse-to-patient ratios, allowing for focused and high-quality care delivery
Collaborate with a robust interdisciplinary team including physicians, advanced practice providers, clinical nurse specialists, therapists, case managers, and support services
Contribute to workflow and quality improvement initiatives that enhance patient outcomes and strengthen team performance
This is more than a role. It is an opportunity to develop advanced clinical expertise while making a meaningful impact on patients and families during their most critical moments.
This job description integrates the ANA Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice and the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements, and the UVA Nursing Professional Practice Model.
- Relationship Based Care - Self and Colleagues: reflects the influence of the nurse's relationship with self, colleagues and patient/family on the patient experience.
- Relationship Based Care - Patients and Families: reflects the influence of the nurse's relationship with self, colleagues and patient/family on the patient experience.
- Expert Caring: encompasses clinical assessment, planning, prioritizing, coordinating and implementation of care.
- Empowered Leaders: demonstrate knowledge of and actively participate in shared governance.
- Lifelong Learners: encompasses professional development through formal education, professional certification, internal and external learning opportunities and recognizes the value of external professional organizations. Supports onboarding of new team members and precepts as applicable.
- Quality Achievement: includes adherence to clinical documentation guidelines, comprehension of outcomes data, engagement in performance improvement activities and commitment to standard work.
- Innovation: is demonstrated by application of technologies that support patient care, actively seeking to implement evidence based practice and new knowledge generated by nursing research.
- In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education: Graduate of an accredited nursing program required. Bachelor of Science in Nursing required within 5 years of hire.
Experience: 1 year of relevant experience.
Licensure: Licensed to Practice as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia. American Heart Association (AHA) Health Care Provider BLS certification required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Job requires standing for prolonged periods, frequently traveling, bending/stooping. Proficient communicative, auditory and visual skills; Attention to detail and ability to write legibly; Ability to lift/push/pull 20 - 50lbs. May be exposed to chemicals, blood/body fluids and infectious disease.
The pay range for this role is $39.90 - $53.00 hourly. Individual compensation will be determined by the selected candidate's qualifications, previous work experience, and/or education.
Benefits- Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Paid Time Off, Long-term and Short-term Disability, Retirement Savings
- Health Saving Plans, and Flexible Spending Accounts
- Certification and education support
- Generous Paid Time Off
Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.
Why People Love Living in Charlottesville
Charlottesville offers an exceptional quality of life, blending vibrant culture with natural beauty. Nestled at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it provides easy access to outdoor recreation including hiking, cycling, and scenic drives, alongside a lively downtown filled with locally owned restaurants, music venues, and wineries. The community is welcoming and dynamic, making it easy to build connections both inside and outside of work. For healthcare professionals, Charlottesville provides the ideal balance of a fulfilling career and a lifestyle that allows time to recharge, explore, and enjoy everything the region has to offer.
