Travel Cardiac ICU/Stepdown RN
New Haven, CT
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Specialty: Registered Nurse (RN) – Cardiac ICU and Stepdown (CVICU)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Unit: Cardiac ICU and Stepdown (Hybrid unit: 8 cardiac ICU beds, 6 cardiac stepdown beds)
• Patient Population: Majority are cardiothoracic surgery pre- and post-op patients; occasionally advanced heart failure patients. Stepdown includes CT surgery, pulmonary vein, and heart failure patients.
• Average Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: 1:3
• Experience Required: Minimum 2 years
• First-time travelers accepted
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• On-call: Not required
• Floating: Floating within scope to meet facility needs; may float between ICU and stepdown units
• Hybrid unit with daily nursing assignments varying between ICU and stepdown
• Must be comfortable with high-volume cardiac (HVC) care
• Pending license accepted but must be active prior to start date
• Return to Office (RTO) restrictions: More than 7 days requires approval
• Guaranteed hours

Facility Highlights

• Type: Short Term Acute Care
• Level I Trauma Center
• Total Staffed Beds: 1,567
• Charting System: Epic
• Scrub Color: Royal Blue

Required Certifications

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) – AHA or ARC only
• BLS (Basic Life Support) – AHA or ARC only
• Other certifications may be required depending on unit (check unit description)

Licensure & Background Checks

• Must have active state license prior to start
• Background check: 7-year criminal background check required within 12 months of start, including SSN trace, counties lived/worked, national sex offender, federal checks, and education verification
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start
• Foreign equivalency education evaluation required for internationally educated RNs
• Education verification of highest level required
• NURSYS license verification required within 30 days of start

Competency Requirements

• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam (must score 85%) within 12 months of start
• Color Blind Testing (required for all candidates on/after 8/2/2024; must score 80%)
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required for telemetry, MS/Tele, ER, and all ICU units (not required for Neuro ICU, SICU, NICU)

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 12 months of start
• Fit mask test within 12 months of start, updated annually (3M N95 preferred)
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray documentation required
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccination highly preferred for pediatric, labor & delivery, postpartum (Tdap declination accepted)
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) immunity or vaccination required
• Hepatitis B immunity or vaccination series or declination accepted
• Varicella immunity or vaccination required
• 10-panel drug screen within 12 months of start
• Seasonal flu vaccination or medical/religious exemption required during flu season (9/1 - 3/31)
• COVID vaccination series preferred

Facility-Specific Training & Compliance

• Stroke education (except pediatric specialties and NICU)
• CLABSI prevention training
• Pressure injury prevention training
• Language services training
• CAUTI education (except PICU, NICU, Psychiatry/Behavioral Health)
• Patient transportation with oxygen education
• Suicide risk and environmental assessment training
• Pyxis ES MedStation training
• Baxter pump interoperability training
• Patient bedside rounding (except OR, Behavioral Health, Ambulatory, ER/ED)
• Ventricular assist device awareness
• Blood administration module (except case managers, behavioral health, home health)
• New employee orientation module
• 21st Century Cures Act module (required for most clinical roles except some techs and home health)
• Chaperone policy training (required if gap >6 months or updated module)
• EPIC testing or training (highly encouraged for those with EPIC experience)

Employment History & Documentation

• 7-year work history with no gaps greater than 90 days required
• Verification of last 7 years of employment required (attestations not accepted)
• Skills checklist required within 12 months of start
• Attestation of prior radiation exposure required for certain tech and specialty roles

This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to work in a high-acuity cardiac ICU and stepdown environment at a Level I trauma center with a supportive team and advanced technology. Candidates must meet all licensure, certification, health, and compliance requirements prior to start.