Student Nurse Extern - Multiple Units

MedStar St. Mary's Hospital Nursing Extern

Nestled in the waterside community of Leonardtown, Maryland, MedStar St. Mary's Hospital is a full-service hospital, delivering state-of-the-art emergency, acute inpatient and outpatient care. With innovative technology and a dedication to excellence, our staff is committed to providing you and your family quality medical care with a compassionate touch. Whether you receive medical care, utilize rehabilitative therapy or participate in a community screening, MedStar St. Mary's Hospital places a priority on delivering a positive healthcare experience.

Working under the direction of a Registered Nurse, utilizes the skills gained as a student in a Nursing degree program to assist the Registered Nurse in the care of a group of patients.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Active enrollment as senior nursing student in an accredited nursing program; successful completion of 1 year of a Clinical Nursing Program including Fundamentals of Nursing (or the equivalent)
• No experience required.
• Must obtain CPR certification by the end of the orientation period and maintain current CPR certification.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to demonstrate competencies in intravenous catheter insertions, I.V. site changes (preferred), dressing and inspections, and blood drawing within established time frame.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic computer skills preferred.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assists the Registered Nurse with formulating and implementation of the health teaching plan through performance of routine health teaching.
2. Assists with implementing the patient's plan of care as delegated by the Registered Nurse.
3. Assists with transport of patients, specimens, equipment, and supplies as appropriate. Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality.
4. Collaborates with Registered Nurse to organize own patient care assignment to provide safe, efficient care.
5. Collaborates with the Registered Nurse at the time of patient admission in formulating the nursing plan of care.
6. Collects and documents pertinent patient information following policy guidelines; Reinforcement of patient teaching; Completion of patient tasks delegated by the Registered Nurse after entry into the medical record. Obtains data and documents pertinent patient information including vital signs, weights, heights and patient care activities.
7. Complies with established hospital personnel policies. Attends mandatory training sessions, staff meetings and town hall meetings. Completes all mandatory education requirements on time.
8. Confers with Registered Nurse in identifying patient needs, supporting and preparing transfer or discharge care.
9. Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality standards, and safety standards. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.
10. Demonstrates behavior consistent with MedStar Health mission, vision, goals, objectives and patient care philosophy. Demonstrates effective communication and works in collaboration with all members of the healthcare team.
11. Demonstrates the appropriate level of urgency during critical situations.
12. Participates in meetings, on committees and represents the department and hospital in community outreach efforts. Enhances growth and development and enriches personal knowledge and skill through participation in educational programs and affiliations.
13. Participates in multi-disciplinary quality and service improvement teams.
14. Performs basic procedures such as wound care and simple dressing changes, suctioning, urinary catheter insertion and removal, maintenance of drainage devices, performance of EKG's. Collects specimens including urine, stool, sputum and blood. Provides respiratory therapy support including coughing, deep breathing and set-up of oxygen equipment and pulse oximetry.
15. Performs intravenous catheter insertions, changes of I.V. sites and dressings and routine inspection of sites as needed. Performs routine blood drawing function.
16. Performs other duties as assigned.
17. Provides evaluation of Nurse Extern role and the Future Registered Nurses Program.
18. Reports actual and potential problems concerning patients, families, staff and other departments to the Registered Nurse. Responds to questions from patient, families, and significant others in a prompt, courteous, positive manner, referring them to appropriate personnel if necessary.

This position has a hiring range of: USD $20.12 - USD $20.12 /Hr.