About the Intensive Care Service
RPA Intensive Care Service currently consists of four specialised clinical pods:
- Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CICU)
Providing specialist care for patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery, advance cardiac interventions and complex cardiovascular management.
- Neuroscience and Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (NSICU)
Delivering specialised care to patients with complex neurosurgical and neurological conditions, including stroke, neurovascular and cranial surgery patients.
- General Intensive Care Units (Blue and Green Intensive Care Unit)
Two general Intensive Care Units provide care for a broad range of critically ill medical and surgical patients, including transplantation, trauma, sepsis, respiratory failure and multi-organ dysfunction.
Working across these specialised pods provides nurses with exposure to a diverse and highly complex patient cohort while developing expertise across multiple critical care specialties.
A Centre of Excellence in Critical Care
At RPA ICU, we care for some of the most complex and critically ill patients in Australia. We are committed to delivering evidence-based, patients and family-centred care, recognising that patients and their loved ones are partners in achieving the best possible health outcomes and healthcare experience.
Every member of our team plays a vital role in supporting patients and families through some of life’s most challenging moments, delivering compassionate care while maintaining the highest standards of clinical excellence.
As a recognised centre of excellence in critical care, RPA ICU combines advanced technology, multidisciplinary collaboration, innovation, education and research to provide outstanding outcomes for patients, families and the wider community.
Our nursing staff work alongside a highly skilled multidisciplinary team and receive ongoing clinical support, collaboration and mentorship from experienced Intensive Care Staff Specialists, ensuring excellence in patient care while fostering continuous learning and professional growth.
Unparalleled Clinical Exposure
As a major quaternary referral centre, RPA ICU provides exposure to an extraordinary range of specialist services and complex clinical presentations that are rarely seen elsewhere.
NSW Liver Transplant Centre
RPA is home to NSW’s Liver Transplant Centre and provides specialise intensive care management for patients with:
- Acute liver failure
- End-stage liver disease
- Complex hepatobiliary conditions
- Liver transplantation
- Multi-organ transplantation
Our nurses are integral members of the multidisciplinary transplant team, caring for patients throughout their transplant journey and managing some of the state’s most complex liver disease presentations.
Major ECMO Referral Centre
RPA ICU is on of NSW’s leading Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) centres, providing advance cardiac and respiratory support for critically ill patients.
Nurses have the opportunity to develop expertise within a high volume ECMO service and participate in the statewide ECMO referral and retrieval network, supporting critically ill patients and healthcare service across New South Wales.
Advanced Surgical and Medical Services
RPA ICU supports a broad range of highly specialised services including:
- Liver transplantation
- Kidney transplantation
- Cardiothoracic surgery
- Advanced cardiac care
- Neurosurgery and neurosciences
- Major trauma
- Complex gastrointestinal surgery
- Surgical oncology
- Multi-organ failure management
Our service is internationally recognised for managing advance surgical procedures including:
- Pelvis Exenterations
- Peritonectomies
- Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)
- Complex gastrointestinal reconstructive surgery
Virtual ICU and Rural Health Partnerships
RPA ICU is committed to improving intensive care access and outcomes for rural and remote communities.
Through our Virtual ICU (vICU) program, we partner with healthcare services across regional New South Wales, including Broken Hill, providing specialist critical care support, consultation and clinical expertise to clinicians caring for critically ill patients in rural settings.
This innovative service enables our clinicians to contribute to healthcare delivery beyond metropolitan Sydney while supporting equitable access to specialist intensive care services across the state.
Leading Research, Education and Innovation
RPA ICU has a strong reputation for excellence in:
- Clinical research
- Evidence-based practice
- Quality improvement
- Innovation in critical care
- Advance education and training
RPA ICU is recognised for its comprehensive critical care education programs, supporting nurses to continually advance their clinical expertise, pursue specialty practice and develop into the future leaders of intensive care nursing.
We are committed to developing highly skilled critical care nurses through structured and progressive education programs designed to support nurses at every stage of their career.
Our dedicated Intensive Care education team provides:
- Structured Intensive Care education programs
- Introductory and advance critical care education pathways
- Bedside clinical teaching
- Simulation-based learning
- Competency development programs
- Clinical coaching and mentorship
- Transition-to-critical-care support
- Advance specialty training opportunities
- Leadership development and succession planning opportunity
Whether you are developing foundational critical care skills or pursuing advanced specialty practice, RPA ICU provides the support, education and resources required to achieve your professional goals.
Staff are encouraged and supported to participate in research activities, quality initiatives and professional development opportunities that contribute to the advancement of critical care nursing and patient care outcomes.
Build Your Career With Us
At RPA ICU, we are committed to developing the next generation of critical care leaders.
We provide extensive opportunities for careers progression through:
- Comprehensive Intensive Care education programs designed to advance clinical knowledge and critical care expertise
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) advancement pathways
- Specialty practice development
- ECMO and transplant nursing
- Virtual ICU and telehealth critical care experience
- Leadership development opportunities
- Mentoring and coaching programs
- Postgraduate education support
- Acting and secondment opportunities
- Participate in service redesign, research and innovation projects
Our nurse are supported to pursue career progression while developing the critical, professional and leadership capabilities required to become future leaders within intensive care nursing.
Through a strong culture of education, mentorship and professional development, RPA ICU invests in its people, ensuring nurses are empowered to achieve their full potential and contribute to the future of critical care.
We don’t just offer a roster – we offer a career pathway.
Supporting Staff Wellbeing
At RPA ICU, we recognise that exceptional patient care beings with supported workforce.
We are committed to fostering a positive, inclusive and supportive workplace culture that prioritises:
- Staff wellbeing
- Psychological safety
- Professional fulfilment
- Work-Life balance
- Teamwork and collaboration
Our staff benefit from:
- Dedicated wellbeing initiatives
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Professional mentoring and per support
- Ongoing education and development
- Health and wellness programs
- Flexible rostering practices where operationally feasible
- Strong nursing leadership support
- Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement
We are passionate about creating an environment where nurses feel valued, supported and empowered to thrive both professionally and personally.
