STUDENT NURSE INTERN- MED SURG/TELE

If you are interested, please apply online and send your resume to Jackie Cardenas at jcardenas@mlkch.org

POSITION SUMMARY

The Student Nurse Intern, under the supervision of the primary nurse (RN), will assist the RN in the provision of care to the patient. Gathers, reports and documents clinical data for the RN to understand the condition of the patient and response to treatments and hospitalization goals. Observes patients to identify unusual signs that may require medical attention, such as bruises, open wounds, decreased awareness, abnormal vital signs, blood in urine or any signs of distress or violent/disruptive behavior and report to the RN immediately. Actively collaborates with and takes direction from the RN about the patient's plan of care. Assist in progressing the patient toward improvement or maintenance of optimal physiological, psychological and social states. The position requires the full understanding and active participation in fulfilling the mission of Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital (MLKCH). It is expected that the employee will demonstrate behavior consistent with the MLKCH Core Values. The employee shall support Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital's strategic plan and the goals and direction of the quality and performance improvement initiatives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Obtains verbal report from the patient's primary nurse to include information regarding the patient's identified care needs, treatment plans, and appropriate activities as discussed during the RN handoff communication with the student intern. Asks questions for clarification if needed.

2. Reviews in EHR (Electronic Health Record) with the primary RN any additional patient information regarding necessary care elements such as patients' dietary restrictions, food allergies, intake and output needs, isolation precautions prior to assuming care for the patient.

3. When data collected indicates a change in the patient condition, the student nurse intern will be timely in communicating findings to the RN and should not exceed 30 minutes.

4. Assists patients to perform daily living activities, such as getting out of bed, hygiene, dressing, eating, using the toilet, standing, walking, or exercising and provide oral care. Hygiene includes documentation of bed bath, sitz bath, oral care, back care/rub, and reports signs of skin breakdown to the RN

* Measures & documents output: urine hat, foley catheter, oral, Jackson-Pratt, chest tube, hemovac, ostomy, NG tube.
* Obtains clean catch urine specimen.
* Performs & documents perineal/foley catheter care.
* Performs & documents condom catheter placement and care.

5. Vital Signs: performs & documents vital signs: Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, temperature and pain level if present. Can identify normal & abnormal findings and reports to the RN.

6. Determines unresponsiveness. Summons help, Performs CPR.

* Ventilates patient using Ambu Bag.
* Verbalizes and demonstrates understanding of responsibilities during all emergency codes.

7. Diabetes Management: Identifies signs and symptoms of hyper- and hypoglycemia. On direction, follows hypoglycemia protocol.

8. Nutrition: Observes food and liquid intake and documents percentage eaten appropriately. Reports nausea/vomiting/loss of appetite to the RN. Reviews patients' dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences to ensure the patient receives the appropriate diet.

* Meal Trays: Delivers and collects on time, prepares patient room for meals, assists patient with feeding if needed

9. Documentation: Records information in patient record timely and accurately.

10. Application of Anti-Embolism Stockings: Demonstrates technique for applying, removing and care of anti-embolic stockings.

11. Beds: Ensures weighing and zeroing according to unit standard of linen use and bed making.

12. Airway Management: Demonstrates technique for use of Incentive Spirometer; assists patient & documents every usage and response.

13. Quality indicators: Skin Injury Prevention and Fall Prevention measures are in place with documentation.

* Positioning: Turns or repositions patient every 2 hours.
* Ensures appropriate mattress and pressure reducing devices are in use to minimize skin injury.
* Fall measures: perform purposeful hourly rounding.

14. Environment of Care: Maintains patient environment in a safe and orderly manner.

15. Responsiveness:

* Responds as directed by the primary RN or Clinical Supervisor to changing patients'/unit's needs.
* Promptly answers patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs

16. Transportation: Serves as a runner or transports patients as directed.

* Obtains blood from blood bank for transfusion.

17. Complies with all hospital procedures and Federal and State rules and regulations as it relates to their role.

18. Offers consistent help and visible assistance to team members when needed.

19. Applies principles of caring and healing in interactions with patients, families, and with colleagues.

20. Strives to achieve excellence of service as described in the MLKCH Values of Caring - Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.

21. Displays honest behavior in all matters.

22. Communicates verbally and in writing in a clear, professional manner and demonstrates respect for patient, families/significant others and other health care members.

23. Adjusts role classification and /or cost center codes within Kronos time clock prior to assignment start, as necessary.

* If assigned sitter duty, his or her primary responsibility is to observe the patient to assure the patient's safety and provide total patient care.
* Documents on the Sitter Documentation Record at least every hour or more often based on patient condition changes.
* Student Nurse Intern understands that their personal belongings do not belong in the patients' room.

24. Report and asks questions when uncertain. Reports any unusual patient condition or situation immediately to the RN.

25. Collaborates with the Clinical Unit Supervisor and the primary RN to ensure coverage during breaks in order to assure continuous and uninterrupted patient observation.

26. Plays active role in rounding to ensure patient safety at all times.

27. Performs other duties as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

A. Education

* Final year of accredited Nursing school or university. Proof of having earned a grade point average of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.

B. Qualifications/Experience

* Ability to work one 12-hour shift / week.
* Current Basic Life Support (BLS)
* An understanding of human anatomy, basic medical terminology, and rehabilitation principles is desired.

C. Special Skills/Knowledge

* Basic computer skills
* Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
* Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems

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