Telemetry Registered Nurse
Middlebury, Vermont
Porter Medical Center

Registered Nurse - Telemetry

Location: Middlebury, Vermont
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 4 weeks

Unit and Patient Population

• Unit: Medical Surgical Telemetry with some Progressive Care
• Patient Population: Medical Surgical Telemetry patients including orthopedics, urology, ENT, gynecology, general surgery, and progressive care patients
• Patient Age Range: Young adult to end of life
• Unit Size: Maximum census 25 patients in 17 rooms (including private, isolation, and negative pressure rooms)
• Hospital Type: Critical Access Hospital
• Support: 24/7 respiratory and anesthesia support; 24/7 hospitalist coverage dedicated to the unit
• Documentation System: EPIC (experience within past 2 years required)
• Medication System: PYXIS
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: Generally 1:4 or 1:5 depending on acuity
• Shift: Night shift, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours per shift (19:00 - 7:30)
• Scheduling: Minimum every other weekend or adjusted to meet unit needs; no block schedules
• Floating: Voluntary only, within scope of practice

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Vermont
• Minimum 2 years of Medical Surgical Telemetry experience, with at least some experience within the last year
• One completed travel assignment
• Certifications:

  • AHA BLS (Basic Life Support)
  • AHA ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
  • NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) - must be obtained prior to start
• Education: Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• Required Skills:

  • Experience with insulin drip management
  • Experience with cardiac drip management
  • Experience with EPIC documentation system within the last 2 years

Unit-Specific Responsibilities and Procedures

• Acts as Code 99, Rapid Response, Fall, and IV team member
• Performs venipuncture, starting IVs, EKGs, transports, and manages drips/infusions
• Provides supportive care for progressive care patients pending transfer if needed
• Works collaboratively with hospitalists and other interdisciplinary team members
• Adheres to written protocols for patient care and transfer procedures

Additional Information

• Facility is a teaching hospital (teaching experience not explicitly required)
• Ancillary support available: LNA/CNA/PCT and unit clerks vary by shift
• Reliable personal transportation strongly recommended (public transportation not accessible)
• Vehicle should have all-season or snow tires November through April
• Must explain any employment gaps over 90 days
• Complete and detailed work history required (including bed count, EMR, facility type)

Compliance and Documentation Requirements

• Background Check: Within 30 days of start, covering all locations lived/worked/schooled in past 7 years
• Education Verification: Required based on job; primary source verification of highest degree
• State License: Primary source verification within 30 days of start and upon expiration (RN license required)
• NURSYS Verification: Required within 30 days of start and updated annually
• Drug Testing: Required for NY facilities; not required for VT facilities but must be obtained prior to start
• Physical Exam: Within 12 months of start
• Immunizations and Testing:

  • Flu vaccine or exemption required during flu season (Oct 1 - Mar 31)
  • Tdap vaccination within 10 years or titer
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within past 12 months
  • MMR (2 vaccines or positive titer)
  • Varicella (2 vaccines or positive titer)
  • Hepatitis B series and titer or signed declination
  • COVID vaccination or declination required
  • Pneumonia vaccine or declination required if assigned to NY facility
• Fit Mask (N95) test required prior to assignment and updated annually
• Competency Exams: Medication test/pharmacology, color blind testing, and other specialty-specific exams as required
• Photo for badge: Passport style with plain light background, no logos or hats, required 2 weeks prior to start
• Completion of EPIC and Cornerstone training modules prior to start (approx. 8 hours, non-billable)
• Vermont Adult and Child Abuse Registry Consent Form required
• Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) criminal background check required for Vermont assignments
• Auto insurance required if using personal or rental vehicle

Important Notes

• Must start within one week of assignment acceptance
• No block scheduling allowed
• Must provide two professional references from assignments within the last 3 years
• Reliable transportation is essential due to lack of public transit
• All documentation and compliance requirements must be completed timely to avoid delays

This position is ideal for an experienced Medical Surgical Telemetry RN with prior travel experience who is comfortable working in a small, critical access hospital setting with a diverse patient population and a collaborative team environment.