Nurse Extern, 2 East, Med/Surg

The nurse extern is a temporary position for nursing students to practice in all nursing areas. The nurse extern is co-assigned with a RN and may perform direct and indirect patient care under RN supervision.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND / OR LICENSURE :

1. Must be entering their final year or final semester of Associate or Baccalaureate RN program of an accredited School of Nursing.

2. Certification in Basic Life Support through the American Heart Association; must not expire during Nurse Externship.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES : The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position.

They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Assists the registered nurse in the practice of professional nursing by providing direct patient care to promote patient comfort and facilitate the performance of diagnostic and treatment procedures as outlined in the nursing care plan.

2. Assists the RN with the patient’s activities of daily living according to the needs of the patient in a timely manner, following departmental procedure.

3. Performs designated procedures as needed by following departmental procedure.

4. Accurately observes, records, and reports to the RN all patient concerns, symptoms, reactions, and progress in a timely manner.

5. Assists the RN with examinations and procedures according to departmental procedure.

6. Demonstrates knowledge in basic and intermediate care skills as verified by nurse mentor, clinical preceptor, nurse manager and / or nurse director.

Assists the RN with procedures defined by the advanced skills inventory.

7. Demonstrates knowledge in those skills identified on the skills inventory that may be carried out independently.

8. Demonstrates knowledge in those skills identified on the skills inventory that may be carried out under direct supervision of a RN.

9. Educates self effectively and assists in peer education. Seeks educational opportunities to increase competence.

Attends staff meetings and unit in-services as applicable.

10. Assists the RN with indirect care by maintaining a clean, sanitary, and safe environment to prevent and / or control

infections and to provide for safety of patients, visitors, and employees.

11. Thoroughly cleans assigned patient care areas according to departmental procedure.

12. Thoroughly cleans assigned unit equipment according to schedule and / or need, and keeps hallway and work areas free of equipment according to departmental procedure.

13. May act in the role of a sitter for a patient as assigned by the charge RN.

14. May have limited access to medication including during transport of non-controlled substances at the request of a licensed care provider.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Capable of prolonged periods of standing and walking.

2. Able to lift up to 40 pounds and push / pull heavy load

3. Possess visual, auditory and oral acuity along with manual dexterity and technical ability.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT : The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.