Student Professional Nurse

Student Professional Nurse (SPN)

At Houston Methodist, the Student Professional Nurse (SPN) position is part of the Methodist Advancement into Professional Practice (MAPP) program which provides students with opportunities to follow a nursing preceptor in support of building clinical competency and confidence in transition from student role to new graduate nurse. This position is accountable and responsible for nursing care administered under the direction of a Registered Nurse. This position demonstrates clinical knowledge and skills to carry out delegated tasks for age-specific populations described in the unit(s) scope of service. The SPN position demonstrates appropriate communication skills and interpersonal relationships. This position practices Patient Family Centered Care in concert with Houston Methodist ICARE values: Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.

Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
• Enrolled in a school of nursing program maintaining a minimum 3.2 GPA

• Successfully completed at least one clinical rotation

• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Performs basic patient care activities of daily living (ADL's) within unit specific defined limits and job scope, such as assistance with patient elimination, hygiene, comfort, safety, nutrition, and progress activity

Essential Functions:

• Promotes a positive work environment that actively assists interprofessional care team to achieve optimal department results. Makes contributions to the work effort as a whole, by leading and initiating problem resolution within the work unit. Facilitates teamwork by anticipating the need for assistance and responding positively to requests for assistance.
• Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional health care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner. Teaches others to critically think by verbally expressing rationale for decisions and follows up consistently. Facilitates open, professional, communication to achieve mutual understanding, role modeling by example.
• Initiates contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee satisfaction on unit-based scorecard, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

• Participates in nursing care conferences and discharge planning with the patient, family and other members of the health care team. Organizes the work flow, problem-solves basic and routine matters, and manages multiple ongoing priorities, seeking guidance and assistance from preceptor, by utilizing resource persons, i.e. licensed nurse, or management, policy and procedure manuals, or other references on standards of care
• Delivers care in a kind, courteous and honest manner. Identifies and communicates patient problems/needs and nursing interventions performed to the Registered Nurse assigned. Reinforces health care information/teaching provided by the Registered Nurse to the patient and family.
• Role models the patient and family-centered care standards and provides direct patient care under the direction of a registered nurse. Responds to the call light system, contacting nursing personnel as appropriate, and follows through with meeting patient needs. Uses peer-to-peer accountability, towards improving department score for patient satisfaction on unit-based scorecard, i.e. bedside shift handoff/report.

• Performs direct patient care, treatments and procedures in accordance with established policies and standards of the hospital as outlined in the plan of care. Legally documents, where applicable, delegated observations and interventions, care administered in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Accurately reports observations, conditions and problems of patients to licensed personnel to achieve desired patient outcomes. Acts as patient advocate by preserving the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind.
• Rounds to ensure patient needs are met (four P's). Supports initiatives to prevent conditions such as pressure ulcers, patient falls, and hospital-acquired infections. Reports near misses and collaborates with the interprofessional health care team to improve patient safety.
• Contributes to identification of corrective action and improvement activities, impacting quality and safety targets on the unit-based scorecard, through peer-to-peer accountability, reporting near misses, and collaborating with the interprofessional team.

• Acts as a good steward of resources by ensuring the best use of equipment and materials. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Role models effective time management and coordinates colleagues to meet the overall demands of the unit.
• Assists with patient and staffing needs (floats) across the service line or hospital within the scope of their role or validated competencies.

• Fosters a positive and constructive patient care environment by engaging co-workers in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with department objectives.
• Responds positively to change by accepting and using new practices. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an on-going basis, including the development of advanced skills.
• Actively engages in evidence-based research to enhance nursing practice and patient care delivery. Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects and shared governance activities.

Supplemental Requirements:

• Work Attire
• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: No
• Other (department approved): Yes
• On-Call
• On Call* No
• Travel
• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital is a long-term acute care hospital that proudly serves the Greater Houston area, focused on the needs of patients requiring extended hospitalization. Located in Katy, west of the Texas Medical Center, Houston Methodist Continuing Care is committed to providing patients with the Houston Methodist standard of unparalleled quality and safety, focusing on the patient and family. The facility offers both inpatient and outpatient services, including hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, infectious disease management, intensive care, pain management, postsurgical complication management, pulmonary care management, trauma and neurological injury management, and outpatient rehabilitation therapies.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.