Exploring Hartford HealthCare Internship Opportunities

Hartford HealthCare is recognized as one of America’s Most Innovative Companies by Fortune and has earned multiple Specialty Excellence Awards from Healthgrades, reflecting its commitment to excellence. The system includes seven state-of-the-art acute care hospitals, offering multidisciplinary, comprehensive care across various specialties such as cancer, heart and vascular services, neuroscience, orthopedics, urology, and digestive health. These hospitals include Backus Hospital, Hartford Hospital, The Hospital of Central Connecticut, MidState Medical Center, Windham Hospital, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, and St. Vincent’s Medical Center. Hartford HealthCare is dedicated to providing a supportive and innovative environment for its employees and those seeking to expand their knowledge and improve their skills.

Benefits of Working at Hartford HealthCare

Hartford HealthCare provides comprehensive benefits to its employees, including medical and dental coverage, paid time off, and flexible scheduling options. Employees also have access to competitive compensation packages, retirement savings plans, and flexible spending accounts. The organization emphasizes striving for excellence together, fostering a collaborative environment where individuals can thrive. Employees are encouraged with "You belong here".

IAA Hartford Division Research Internship Program

The IAA (Institution for Academic Anesthesia) Hartford Division Research Internship Program offers unpaid research internship positions throughout the year. This program is designed for individuals in Connecticut who are passionate about science and medicine and wish to enhance their research skills. The program does not accept out-of-state or overseas applicants, current medical students, or international medical graduates (though medical students can reach out directly regarding research participation).

Program Overview

The IAA Hartford Division Research Internship Program offers several unpaid research internship positions during four sessions each year to work with a team of anesthesia research investigators, including attending anesthesiologists, fellows, residents, and research staff. As an IAA Hartford Division Research Intern and as a part of our team, you have the ability to get involved in projects that interest you while working within a schedule that suits you, and you have the opportunity to contribute to impactful research while simultaneously improving your ability to understand and communicate important findings.

Research Focus

The research within the IAA program is dynamic, with ongoing initiation of new studies, completion of current research, and publication of findings. Research Interns have the opportunity to contribute to impactful research while simultaneously improving their ability to understand and communicate important findings. The program addresses many research topics, including pain management, research bioethics, and health equity, while also incorporating an array of research methodologies, including retrospective studies, case reports, randomized controlled trials, and reviews. The diversity, quality, and productivity of research in the department allows Research Interns to have an experience that is both educational and exciting.

Unique Opportunities at Hartford Hospital

All of our principal investigators are also practicing physicians, which allows Interns to have an inside look at the life of an anesthesiologist in one of the nation’s busiest hospitals, Hartford Hospital, while also conducting valuable clinical research. A level 1 trauma center, Hartford Hospital is also home to the state-of-the-art Center for Education, Simulation, and Innovation (CESI). At CESI, Research Interns have the opportunity to observe and participate in training simulations attended by various healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, paramedics, as well as military personnel.

Hartford Hospital’s Level 1 Trauma Center and the Center for Education, Simulation, and Innovation (CESI) offer interns the chance to observe training simulations involving physicians, nurses, paramedics, and military personnel.

Eligibility and Commitment

IAA Research Internship Program candidates must be willing to learn and to contribute their talents, enthusiasm, and energy. Research Interns are expected to commit a minimum of ten hours distributed over at least two days each week; though, Interns are welcome to exceed this minimum requirement. Interns are expected to schedule their planned commitments with their supervisor at least one week in advance. Interns have flexibility to adjust their commitments each week to fit their schedules as long as the minimum commitment is met and suitable notice is given.

Application Process

The application process for the IAA Research Internship Program involves several steps:

Application: Interested candidates must complete and submit the Research Internship Application. Applications will be reviewed by the anesthesia research staff, and all applicants will receive a response regarding the status of their application. Only potential candidates will be contacted to proceed to an interview.
Interview: Interviews are typically conducted virtually. During the interview, applicants can share details regarding their interest in the program, ask questions and discuss details related to the potential experiences with our team of researchers.
OnBoarding: Accepted candidates must undergo onboarding with Hartford Hospital’s Volunteer Services department.

Common Questions About the Program

Does every applicant receive a position? Due to the high volume of applications, not all applicants can be accepted. Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to reapply for another session.
Is this a paid position? The research internship is unpaid. However, applicants are encouraged to seek funding through their university or other organizations.
What is the time commitment? Interns are required to commit a minimum of two days per week for the duration of the internship. Universities may offer compensation or academic credit for participation.
May I commit to more than two days a week or more than one session? Two days a week is the minimum requirement; you are absolutely welcome to commit more time than this minimum if it fits your schedule and our schedule. To allow more individuals to benefit from this program, we allow accepted interns to participate in only one cycle without extension.
How much does it cost to be a Research Intern? The only out-of-pocket cost for our Interns is the transportation to and from the hospital. Hartford Hospital will provide free parking and a free t-shirt.
Is there a dress code? Yes. Research Interns are required to abide by the professional image policies of Hartford Hospital. Interns cannot wear shirts with words (other than Hartford Hospital logos), shorts, skirts above the knee, jeans, or scrubs (in non-clinical settings). Open-toes shoes are not allowed in patient care areas.
Can I check my health status in EPIC while collecting data for research? No. Even though it is your own information, this is considered a HIPAA violation. You are not allowed to look up medical information on yourself, family, friends, or any person not on the list of approved research patients.
Can I use my personal computer to work on data for IRB-approved research? No. Our studies are unique, and we try to maintain them this way until we publish them in different medical journals. We would ask that you do not share any information from these projects with anyone outside of this institution, as we value the uniqueness of the ideas of our research projects. However, please share your research experience with your friends and encourage them to participate.
Will becoming a Research Intern guarantee me a job at the hospital, should I decide to apply for a paid position? No, we cannot guarantee that Interns will obtain a paid position. Employees are selected for jobs based on their experience, skills, references, and credentials. Interning is a great way to take a step towards future employment, but it does not guarantee a position.
What medical information will I need to show to become a Research Intern? All new Interns will be asked to provide documentation of completed COVID-19 vaccinations, MMR vaccinations, Varicella vaccinations or history of chickenpox, a flu vaccine during the flu season, and have a Tuberculosis skin test within the last 12 months. The Tuberculosis test and flu vaccines are the only tests that can be provided here at Hartford Hospital. If you do not have documentation of your vaccinations, you will need to provide proof of immunity through titer testing (blood test). Titer testing is not provided through Hartford Hospital. Applicants will need to obtain the titer test at their own expense through their family physician.
Will I need a flu shot? Yes, Hartford Hospital requires all staff, including our Research Interns, to have a flu vaccine during flu season. Certain exceptions can be made for medical or religious reasons. Individuals with approved exceptions will be required to wear a mask during flu season.
Can I shadow an anesthesiologist in the operating room? Though shadowing is not necessarily a part of our Research Internship Program curriculum, we provide Research Interns with all of the necessary resources to shadow if there are opportunities available. These opportunities depend largely on the physician mentors and hospital staff. Though, most of our past Interns have been able to obtain shadowing experience through our program. The operating rooms are highly restricted areas, and all Interns intending to shadow are required to complete a Hartford Hospital training course prior to shadowing.

Important Policies for Research Interns

Research Interns are required to adhere to several policies to ensure the integrity of research and patient privacy:

HIPAA Compliance: Interns must not access medical information in EPIC for themselves, family, friends, or any individuals not part of the approved research patients.
Data Security: Personal computers cannot be used for working on data related to IRB-approved research to maintain the uniqueness and confidentiality of the studies.

Additional Opportunities

Hartford HealthCare provides additional benefits, such as free parking and a free t-shirt.

Contact Information

For more information about the IAA Hartford Division Research Internship Program, individuals can contact Kevin J.

Hartford HealthCare's Commitment to Innovation and Safety

Hartford HealthCare's recognition as one of America’s Most Innovative Companies and consistent high Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades demonstrate its dedication to innovation and patient safety. All 7 Hartford HealthCare Hospitals early straight A’s for Safety by the Leapfrog Group. This commitment extends to its internship programs, providing interns with a valuable and safe learning environment.

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