Nurse Co-op

Description

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Contributes to the nursing process by performing patient care and non-patient care activities as delegated by the registered nurse (RN). Able to perform aspects of nursing practices in which they have completed the theory component in the academic setting and have competencies validated by the RN before performing them independently. The nurse intern works under the direction of the RN and must be co-assigned to a registered nurse at all times.

Part time, un-benefited position working 39 hours per pay period. Days of work are Sunday-Saturday. Scheduled shifts are day/night rotation with occasional evening shifts. Scheduled weekend rotation will be 12 hour shifts every third weekend. Holiday work is every third holiday per year. Hours of work are 7:00am - 7:30pm, 7:00pm - 7:30am, and occasional 7:00am - 3:30pm, 11:00pm - 7:30am, and 3:00pm - 11:30pm.

JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provides personal hygiene measures for patients of all ages that may include bed bath, oral hygiene, combing hair, back care, and dressing patient. Performance of nursing tasks shall consider the age and development of the patient.
• Collects patient data and documents information in medical record.
• Implements assigned aspects of the patient plan of care observing patient for expected outcomes. Performance of nursing functions shall consider the age and development of the patient.
• Assist patients with transportation and mobility needs.
• Follow University/College Department of Nursing skills list.
• Collects subjective and objective data to assist RN in formulating an individualized plan of care for the patient and family.
• Instructs patient and family in basic health areas as appropriate; i.e. personal hygiene, oral care, feeding methods, etc. Discharge instructions must be co-signed and reviewed by the registered nurse prior to giving to the patient.
• Prepares patients for meals, serves and removes food trays, and assists with meals or feeds patients.
• Distributes drinking water and other nourishments to patients.
• Assist patients with handling and care of clothing and other personal property (including dentures, glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, and prosthetic devices) throughout their hospital stay.
• Provides a safe and secure environment for patients while adhering to infection control policies.
• Utilizes unit and hospital resources to improve and update skills and knowledge as appropriate for role.
• Establishes and maintains interpersonal relationships with patients, visitors, and other hospital personnel, while assuring confidentiality of patient information.
• Collaborate with RN and participate in Patient Care Model of Nursing Excellence. (Hourly Rounding, Individualized Patient Care, Beside Report and Discharge Callbacks).
• Attends in-service education programs, as assigned, to learn new treatments, procedures, developmental skills, etc.

Performs technical skills after demonstration and validation:

• Assistance with catheter care to include insertion, irrigation and removal.
• Assistance with naso-gastric tube care including insertion, irrigation and removal.
• Monitoring of gastric feedings.
• Assistance with elimination needs, including enemas.
• Assistance with the collection of various specimens excluding specimens from central lines.
• Assistance with simple dressing changes including irrigations and packings.
• Performance of blood glucose monitoring following completion of competency checklist.
• Assistance with Intravenous therapy to include insertion and removal of peripherally placed catheters, and observation and inspection of intravenous sites and dressings.
• Documentation of all care to include pre-op checklists, patient history and medication reconcilation provided in an accurate and timely manner, according to organizational policies and procedures.
• Oral medication administration.

Performs complex skills under the direct supervision of the RN, including IV medication administration and IVP and IVPB.

The Nurse Intern may NOT:

• Obtain procedural consents.
• Perform an initial patient assessment, such as an admission and/or triage assessment.
• Administer Blood or Blood products.
• Administer Total Parenteral Nutrition.
• Accept verbal or telephone orders from a provider.
• Sign off provider orders.
• Manage IV medication drips, including ordered rate changes, rate titrations and hanging new bags.

Requirements

Qualifications/Requirements for This Position

1. Preparation and Training - The nurse intern must be enrolled in an accredited four year RN program and have completed his/her third year. Must be enrolled in a nursing program’s course (nurse Co-op course) and be receiving academic credit for their work experience in this role. Once the course is completed the nurse intern can no longer work in this position. Position requires completion of BLS CPR. Position is required to attend Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training in the appropriate timeframe according to department orientation checklist.
2. Work Experience - Previous work experience preferred but not required. Preference for a minimum of six months experience as a nursing aide in acute care or long-term health care facility.
3. Attendance - Punctual and regular attendance is an essential responsibility of each employee at JRMC. Employee are expected to report to work as scheduled, on time and prepared to start working. Employees are also expected to remain at work for their entire work schedule.
4. Analytical Ability- Required to gather and interpret data in situations such as clinical observations, contributing to nursing plan of care, and completing appropriate medical record documentation. Must be able to determine priorities within area of assignment.
5. Independent Judgement - Works in accordance with standard nursing practices; non-routine problems are referred to the RN. Makes some independent judgments regarding patient care. Receives supervision and guidance from the RN. 
6. Contact with Others - Very frequent contact with patients, visitors and coworkers. Exchanges information on a factual basis as directed, performing activities with courtesy and tact.
7. Supervising the Work of Others - None
8. Responsibility for Welfare Others - Responsible for organizing and implementing  daily care activities to an assigned group of patients. 
9. Mental / Visual Effort - Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner. Must demonstrate physical and emotional ability to meet agreed upon work schedule and performance standards required by the position. Required duties are such that concentrated attention must be applied on demand consistent with manual skill requirements in situations that may at times be stressful. Visual acuity necessary for reading charts and working with medical devices; color perception necessary for interpreting testing procedures involving color comparisons.
10. Physical and Sensory Effort - Frequent standing or walking. Lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfers patients and/or equipment. Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling and crouching. Needs finger dexterity when handling equipment and performing nursing related functions.
11. Working Conditions - OSHA job classification: This position is defined as a Category I in which the employee does have exposure to bloodborne pathogens.  Position requires exposure to patients with infectious disease and odor. Must practice aseptic techniques and observe Standard Precautions. Participates in and complies with Jamestown Regional Medical Center Safety Management program. Work may be on weekends and holidays; beyond   normal working hours and/or temporarily in other departments when necessary. 
12. Promotion - No formal line of promotion.
13. Background Check - A comprehensive background check and drug screening will be conducted as a condition of employment for this role. 
14. Drug Screen - A urine drug screening is required for all positions and must be completed within 30 days of the date of hire.
15. Physical Requirement -  These are physical requirements of the position that may be performed as part of daily duties. Inability to   meet one or more of these physical requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. Upon request for reasonable accommodation, JRMC may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements,  depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates and the proposed accommodation.

EMPLOYEE REQUIREMENTS

• Visual Observation - Continuously
• Standing - Frequently
• Walking - Frequently
• Sitting - Occasionally
• Hands and Finger Dexterity - Continuously
• Reaching with Hands and Arms - Continuously
• Climbing - Rarely
• Stooping/Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling - Frequently
• Hearing/Listening - Continuously
• Tasting or Smelling - Occasionally
• Working Inside - Continuously
• Working Outside - Rarely
• Working in Extreme Heat - Never
• Working in Extreme Cold - Never
• Working with Hazardous Materials - Rarely
• Noise - Occasionally
• Working in Dirt/Dust - Rarely
• Driving - Rarely

Lifting / Carrying / Pushing / Pulling: -

• Up to 10 pounds - Continuously
• Up to 25 pounds - Continuously
• Up to 50 pounds - Continuously
• Up to 75 pounds - Continuously
• Up to 100 pounds - Rarely
• Over 100 pounds - Rarely