Nurse Intern

POSITION SUMMARY: All duties will be performed under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse. Work within the nursing process to provide care to assigned patients. Serve as a role model to promote a positive work environment and quality patient care.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Essential and other responsibilities and duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Deliver safe care to an assigned group of patients, under the supervision of an RN Preceptor.
• Work within Hospitals, Nursing division and departmental policies.
• Use nursing processes to work in collaboration with the healthcare team, implementing and documenting individualized nursing plans of care incorporating age specific considerations, including discharge planning and patient/family teaching.
• Assist with special tests and procedures, ensure proper consent has been obtained.
• Assist with or institute emergency measures for sudden, adverse developments in patients.
• Maintain a safe, comfortable, and therapeutic environment for patients/families in accordance with Hospitals standards

• Assist to maintain, support, and implement department and Hospitals mission and goals.

• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required

• Follow patient safety-related policies, procedures and protocols
• Demonstrate proactive approach to patient safety by seeking opportunities to improve patient safety through questioning of current policies and processes
• Identify and report/correct environmental conditions and/or situations that may put a patient at undue risk.
• Report potential or actual patient safety concerns, medical errors and/or near misses in a timely manner.
• Cross trains to an additional unit or area within 1 year of hire as staffing permits. If requested, will float to another area with documented competency on an already scheduled shift.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Able to adapt to change in workload. Able to perform in a precise and accurate manner in handling priority tasks.

2. Care for the geriatric patient with knowledge and clinical skills of the aging process.

3. Care for the pediatric patient with knowledge and skills of the growth and development process.

4. Acts as patient advocate for patient rights by initiating and maintaining confidentiality, privacy and safety for the patient.

5. Accepts constructive criticism and incorporates suggestions into practice.

6. Supports and promotes safety standards, identifies risk situations and intervenes appropriately.

7. Knowledge and ability to apply ethical and legal principles to practice.

8. Current knowledge of Standard Precautions in dealing with potential exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens.

9. Organizes work and completes assignments in a timely manner.

10. Functions within limits of state Nurse Practice Act, hospital and nursing department policies and procedures.

11. Other duties as assigned from time to time.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. The Department Charge Nurse has overall responsibility for shift assignments and emergency situations

2. The Department Director is responsible for the long term schedule, performance appraisal (with input from other team members), and quality management issues related to patient care, facility and in-service needs.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:

1. Previous clinical experience in a patient care setting preferred, with successful completion of orientation and training to the point of competence.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

1. Must have graduated from a Nursing School.

2. Current AHA BLS required upon hire.

3. ACLS, NRP and PALS certification as required by Department. These certifications must be completed before the 90 day provisional period

AGE OF POPULATION SERVED:

Newborn Infant/Pediatric Adolescent Adult Geriatric All X No Patient Care

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: See attached

• Manual dexterity with fine motor ability to operate and handle equipment used in the department.

MENTAL REQUIREMENT: Ability to follow written and oral instructions, must have the ability and desire to learn job functions outlined in the job description, must work as part of a team in order to achieve a common goal and must maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

SCHEDULING AND AVAILABILITY:

1. Scheduling is determined by patient care needs and includes weekends, holidays, nights, call, etc...

2. Working every other weekend is a minimum requirement.

3. Shift and call assignments are modified to reflect department needs.

4. In staff emergencies, will be able to work on alternate shifts and/or rotating job schedules or similar activities, at intervals for limited periods of time as mandated by department needs