Cardiac PCU RN
Burlington, Vermont
The University of Vermont Medical Center

Registered Nurse - Progressive Care Unit (PCU)

Location: Burlington, Vermont
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 16 weeks

Job Description

• Assignment in a Cardiac Progressive Care Stepdown unit with Telemetry/Surgical focus.
• Rotating day/night shifts with every weekend scheduled.
• Must be willing to float to similar units.
• Manager may consider candidates without arterial line (A-Line) experience if they have open heart (CABG) post-op day 1 experience.
• No block schedules allowed.
• Orientation offered bi-weekly on Mondays.

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum 2 years nursing experience, with at least 1 year in a progressive care or similar unit.
• Large trauma Level 1 experience within the last year.
• Cardiothoracic and vascular experience required.
• Post-op open or closed heart surgery experience (day 1 post-op) required.
• Epic electronic medical record experience within the past 2 years is mandatory.
• Must have current AHA BLS, ACLS, and NIHSS certifications (NIHSS required prior to start).
• PCCN certification preferred.
• Willingness to float to like units.

Schedule

• Monday through Sunday coverage.
• Weekend shifts every week.

Required Certifications & Licenses

• Registered Nurse license valid in Vermont.
• AHA Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
• PCCN preferred but not required.

Additional Requirements

• Must have reliable personal transportation (public transportation is not accessible).
• Vehicles should have all-season or snow tires from November through April.
• Complete and thorough work history including bed count, EMR, and facility type.
• Explanation required for any employment gaps over 90 days.
• Must complete all required background checks, education verifications, and health screenings prior to start.
• Must complete EPIC and facility-specific training modules before starting.
• Physical exam within 12 months required.
• N95 fit test required prior to assignment start and updated annually.
• Required immunizations and health documents include:

  • Tdap within 10 years
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray if positive
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination or positive titer
  • Hepatitis B series or signed declination
  • Varicella vaccination or positive titer
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption during flu season
  • COVID vaccination or declination
  • Pneumonia vaccination or declination if assigned to NY facilities

Compliance & Documentation

• Background check within 30 days of start covering all locations lived/worked/schooled in past 7 years.
• Vermont Adult and Child Abuse Registry consent form required.
• Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) criminal background check required for Vermont assignments.
• Drug testing as required.
• Photo for badge with specific requirements (plain background, no logos or hats).
• Auto insurance proof if applicable.
• Completion of facility-specific policies and forms including dress code, telephone usage, emergency contact, and others.
• COVID testing protocol on Day 1 of work.
• Must complete all required competency exams and safety acknowledgments.

References & Verification

• Two professional references from assignments within the last 3 years.
• Verification of 2 years of most recent clinical work history.
• Skills checklist within 12 months.
• Employment application required.

Prior Travel Experience

• No explicit prior travel experience required.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Vermont
• Minimum 2 years of Intermediate Care nursing experience, including experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• National Tech Cert Verification
• Experience with Epic electronic medical record system