NURSE EXTERN

THIS JOB REQUIRES THAT APPLICANT BE CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN A NURSING PROGRAM. Arbuckle Memorial Hospital has determined this is a safety-sensitive position. The tasks or duties assigned to this job could affect the safety and health of the employee or others. BASIC PURPOSE : Performs various patient care tasks and uses nonprofessional skills to assist the nurse in providing personal care and comfort measures. This position provides care to patient ranging in age from newborn to geriatric. Performs all work according to the mission, vision, values of Arbuckle Memorial Hospital. PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES : 1. Adheres to the standards of nursing practice/policy/procedures of the hospital and nursing department. 1.1 Utilizes the nursing process to establish priorities of care, responds to patient needs and implements patient care. 1.2 Take assignment from charge nurse clinical preceptor. 1.3 Answers patient’s call lights in a timely manner to determine needs and responds appropriately by fulfilling needs within the scope of job description or reports patient needs to the nurse. 1.4 Provides patient with privacy. 1.5 Maintains confidentiality of patients, staff and hospital information (written, verbal, and electronic sources). 1.6 Administers treatments and procedures within the realm of training using skills check sheet from nursing program and orientation skills check list. 1.7 Documents nursing tasks and activities as well as assessment on medical records. 2. Perform routine tasks and simple treatments under the direction of registered nurse. 2.1 Assists the nurse with the admission and discharge process. 2.1.a Tasks and documents vital signs/height/weight upon admission. 2.1.b Accurately completes admission history including proper spelling of drugs, and documents on medical record. 2.1.c Orients patient and family to environment. 2.2 Takes and records temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure on all assigned patients at the beginning of each shift and every four hours for twenty four hours after surgery. Takes vital signs more frequently as assigned. Reports and significant findings to the nurse. 2.3 Obtains weight on patients as ordered. 2.4 Performs fingerstick blood sugar as ordered, documents results in computerized nurse’s notes and reports abnormal results (less than 80 or greater than 120). 2.5 Empties wound suction/drainage devices at 0600, 1400, 2200 and prn; records amounts on Intake/Output in computerized record. 2.6 Applies and refills ice packs, refills K-pad units and humidifiers, and may measure for and supply TED hose. 2.7 Prepares and assists patients with sitz baths as ordered and documents on patient care record. 2.8 Collects specimens, labels them correctly and delivers them to other departments for analysis, i.e.; 2.8.a Urine - routine 2.8.b Urine - sterile from Foley 2.8.c Sputum 2.8.d Stool 2.9 Pulse oximetry placement/readings and reports Sa02 less than 92% to nurse immediately. 2.10 Telemetry placement and changes electrodes as needed. 2.12 Turn, cough, and deep breathe postoperative patients every 2 hours or as ordered. 2.13 Records simple teaching in the patient record; TED hose, body mechanics, equipment, etc. 2.14 Maintains patients, proper body alignment and activity by turning nonambulatory patients every two hours and documenting position in computerized record. 2.15 Assists patient to chair or ambulate as ordered. 2.16 Prime IV tubing, change peripheral IV dressing, and discontinue peripheral IVs. 2.18 Pick up blood products in blood bank. 2.19 Documents appropriate information in medical record. 3. Provides personal hygiene and comfort measures to patient as directed. 3.1 Provides complete/partial baths or showers, including oral care. 3.2 Provides fresh ice water at least once per shift. 3.3 Provide haircare, nail care, and back rubs as needed. 3.4 Documents hygiene and comfort measures on the patient care record. 3.5 Assists with bedpan/urinal, beside commode, or up to bathroom as needed. 3.6 Performs perineal/catheter care and ostomy care as needed. 3.7 Accurately records intake and output. Reports information to assigned nurse. 4. Demonstrates ability to provide care to the following age groups: Newborn/Pediatric/Adolescent/Adult/Geriatrics: 4.1 Utilizes knowledge of growth and development related to patient care activities. 4.2 Includes age-specific information when gathering data. 4.3 Provides age-specific data to other caregivers. 5. Assists in the maintenance of adequate nutrition. 5.1 Serves between meal supplements/snacks as ordered. 5.2 Assists patients with meals, feeding if necessary. 5.3 Documents types of diet and percentage of food eaten on the computerized record. 5.4 Correctly follows patients’ diet as ordered. 6. Communicates pertinent information to the responsible nurse. 6.1 Promptly reports all signs and symptoms indicating any changes in the patient’s condition to appropriate nurse immediately. 6.2 Reports to appropriate nurse any patient needs/responses to therapy (complaints of pain, response to surroundings, changes in alertness, unusual skin redness or tears, etc.). 6.3 Reports off to charge nurse before leaving assigned area. 7. Maintains a clean and safe environment for patient and self by: 7.1 Emptying and properly bagging linen and trash and storing it according to hospital policy. 7.2 Cleaning bedside and over-bed tables and straightening/changing bed linen prn. 7.3 Removing unnecessary equipment from room. 7.4 Cleaning bedpans, urinals and bedside commodes. 7.5 Using proper handwashing techniques and standard precautions at all times. 7.6 Complies with isolation procedures. 7.7 Keeping siderails up, bed at low positions, call light within patient’s reach, and alerts patient and staff to fall risk. 8. Promotes professional and organizational development by completing the following: 8.1 Attends all mandatory inservices. 8.2 Accountable for staff meeting information by attendance at 50% of meetings or through documentation that minutes have been read. 8.3 Maintain current CPR certification. 8.4 Participates in hospital committee, special projects, or service as requested. 8.5 Adheres to all OSHA Standard regarding appropriate safety regulation and procedures. 8.6 Complies with all policies, procedures, and protocols with no documentation violations. 8.7 Accurately completes clock-in transactions. 8.8 Ability to get along with co-workers. 8.9 Ability to function as a team player. 8.10 Ability to accept constructive criticism from supervisor. 8.11 Ability to abide by all work rules. 8.12 Maintains a positive influence and well environment at all times. 9. Provides unit support activities as necessary. 9.1 Maintains supply of chart forms and keeps charts stocked with appropriate forms. 9.2 Performs other clerical duties as assigned by nurse. 10. Performs the following charting duties as delegated and supervised by an RN. 10.a Daily head-to-toe assessment 10.b Focus assessment 10.c Specialty area documentation 10.d Restraint documentation 11. Performs admission assessment as delegated, supervised and cosigned by clinical preceptor. 12. Performs the following skills as delegated and supervised by an RN. 12.a Dressing change for peripheral IV sites 12.b Administers all types of enemas 12.c Insert and remove Foley catheters 12.d Apply restraints 12.e Provides shift report 12.f Take vital signs during blood administration 13. Performs the following skills with supervision by an RN. 13.a IV venipuncture 13.b Convert peripheral IV to saline lock 13.c Discontinue IV (peripheral) 13.d Insert NG tube 13.e Enteral tube feedings 13.f Dressing change for any central venous catheter, i.e., multi-lumen, PICC, Hickman, Port-a-cath. 13.g ER triage The Nurse Extern/Nurse Technician cannot perform the following procedures: 1. Peripheral IV Therapy: 1.a Flush saline lock other than when converting to saline lock 1.b Hang primary, subsequent, or secondary (piggyback) IV’s 1.c Change tubing 2. Central Venous Catheters (including multi-lumen, PICC line, or implanted devices, i.e., Hickman, Port-a-Cath) 2.a Access for any reason 2.b Hang primary, subsequent, or secondary (piggyback) IV’s or administer any fluid. 2.c Change tubing down to extension, hub, or change port cap(s) 2.e Remove 3. Administer blood or blood components. 4. Administer ANY medications (via any route) including topical skin medications or bedside medications or participate in narcotic count/wastage. 5. Initiate restraints 6. Take, write, or note physician orders. 7. Hang, monitor, or change tubing on TPN therapy, Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) operadural therapy. EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS Current enrollment in a RN school of nursing and has at least one year or less to complete the nursing program, or has completed a RN program in a school of nursing and has applied to write the licensure examination. The graduate may continue to be employed in a Nurse Technician role until licensed, provided that the first licensure examination is taken within 6 months of graduation, on either the first or the second attempt. Completion of orientation to unit assigned. ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS/HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS Majority of shift spent walking or standing. Moderate lifting required, requires manual dexterity. Will be exposed to unpleasant sights, odors, and stressful situations. Will be exposed to blood, body fluids, and other hazardous materials. #J-18808-Ljbffr