Nursing Extern Transition To Practice Program- Part Time

Job Description

Position Title: Nurse Extern Position Code: Student Extern-8062

Department: Nursing Safety Sensitive: ☒ Yes ☐ No

Reports to: Department Manager/Director Exempt Status: ☐ Yes ☒ No

Position Purpose

All KHI employees are expected to perform their respective tasks and duties in such a way that supports KHI’s vision to be among the kindest, highest quality health systems in the country.

The primary purpose of the Student Extern position is to allow the nursing student to perform skilled clinical duties, as specified, under the direct supervision of a registered nurse (RN) as defined by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. This role allows the student nurse to bridge the gap between the classroom and clinical practice, setting them up for a successful and confident transition into the healthcare profession as a Registered Nurse

Key Responsibilities

Nursing Process

• Assessment:
• Performs routine aspects of patient treatment, care and progress (i.e. basic data collection, physical assessment, vital signs, weights, intake & outputs, blood glucose monitoring).
• Collects body fluids for specimens.
• Diagnosis/Care Needs: The student extern analyzes assessment data with preceptor and/or supervising RN to identify care needs. and verbalizes needed care to the preceptor and/or supervising RN.
• Implementation:
• Nursing care is based on identified nursing diagnoses/care needs and standards of patient care.
• The student extern implements patient education and involves the patient and family and/or significant other as appropriate.
• Evaluation: Recognizes and reports to the RN any alterations in the patient’s health status and responses to treatment.
• Documentation: Documents patient care in a clear concise manner. In collaboration with RN:
• Completes nursing admission and assessment form.
• Initiates the Nursing Care Plan with identified patient problems (utilizing nursing diagnosis), expected outcomes and nursing intervention.
• Documents treatments and nursing intervention on appropriate chart forms.
• Completes discharge instruction sheet as appropriate.
  
  

Quality of Care

• Regularly performs appropriate utilization of equipment, tubes and drains as designated in department specific orientation.
• Promotes restorative and/or therapeutic care by providing assistance with activities of daily living (i.e. hygiene, feeding, mobility, elimination, and simple physical/respiratory/occupational/speech therapy).
• Maintains clean and safe work environment
• Applies standard precautions during patient contact and when handling contaminated materials.
• Follows restraint policy and procedure.
• Adheres to Arizona State Board of Nursing and KRMC guidelines, and does not:
• Administer any type of medication by any route.
• Initiate any type of IV therapy.
• Accept verbal orders or telephone for orders from physicians.
• Obtain and/or witness consents.
• Apply restraints.
• Administer blood products.
  
  

Education

• Corroborates with RN in setting weekly goals and takes action to achieve the identified goals.
• Completes the administrative paperwork as determined by Director of Education.
• Attends educational offerings and monthly departmental meetings when possible.
  
  

Age-Appropriate Care

• Provides appropriate age-specific safety measures.
  
  

Level I: First Semester Nursing (RN) students

• Enrolled and in good standing in the 1st semester of RN school.
• Vital sign monitoring.
• POC testing.
• Hourly rounding.
• Patient ADLS (activities of daily living), mobility assistance.
• Documenting care in EHR and reporting findings to RN.
• Performs specific nursing skills under RN supervision and as validated by the hospital.
• Active participation in professional development workshops as provided by program.
• Employee duties as assigned and per training in ancillary support areas and nursing units.
  
  

Level II: Second Semester Nursing (RN) Students

• Completed 1st semester in RN school.
• Maintain active enrollment and good standing in 2nd semester of RN school.
• Continued active participation in professional development workshops as provided by program.
• All duties of Level I and other duties as assigned by nursing/clinical area.
  
  

Level III: Third Semester Nursing (RN) students

• Performs all duties of a Level II but may be paired with a registered nurse to provide full patient care and assessment under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse.
• With assigned RN, manage a full patient load and assist with RN-specific tasks.
• Active participation in professional development workshops and career planning activities as directed by program.
• Maintain active enrollment and good standing in 3rd semester of RN school.
  
  

Level IV: Fourth Semester Nursing (RN) Students/LPN

• With assigned RN, manage a full patient load and assist with RN-specific tasks.
• Perform RN-level tasks under supervision of RN and as validated through school and hospital.
• Direct clinical care provided based on level in school or licensure (NT IV or LPN).
• Active participation in professional development workshops and career planning activities as directed by program.
• Maintain active enrollment and good standing in 4th semester of RN school.
• Active participation in transition to practice activities to prepare for transition to RN position.
  
  

Education

Qualifications

• High School Diploma
  
  

Experience: LPN only:

• One year of acute care experience in the hospital setting in a direct patient care role, if third semester of RN program is not complete. Education:
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
  
  

Nurse Tech/Extern: Level I:

• Must provide proof of enrollment in 1st semester of an accredited nursing school (RN) program.
• Maintains nursing school skills checklist on file with hospital.
  
  

Level II:

• Provide proof of completion of 1st semester of nursing school program.
• Must maintain good standing and enrollment in nursing program and progression through the program.
• Maintains nursing school skills checklist on file with hospital.
  
  

Level III:

• Completion of 2nd semester of RN school.
• In good standing as a 3rd semester RN student.
• Maintain nursing school skills checklist on file with hospital.
  
  

Level IV:

• Completion of 3rd semester of RN school.
• In good standing as a 4th (or Senior depending on program) semester RN student.
• Maintain nursing school skills checklist on file with hospital.
  
  

LPN:

• Graduate of a practical or vocational nursing program OR completed the portion of the RN program required for LPN licensure.
• Currently enrolled in an accredited RN program and maintaining good standing.
• Must successfully complete Nursing III & Nursing IV of RN school within 1 year of hire and provide proof of completion.
  
  

Certification:

• Current BLS (CPR) certification through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
  
  

LPN only:

• Completion of Advanced IV therapy program within 90 days of hire or transfer to LPN role, in accordance with state scope of practice, regulatory requirements, if not already certified.
  
  

Licensure:

• LPN: Current, valid Arizona LPN license
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Basic EKG competency prior to the end of RN Transition to Practice.
  
  

Preferences

LPN: Unit Specific Preferences:

• Medical Surgical/Observation Units: One year Medical/Surgical experience or equivalent work experience and training in a direct patient care role OR active LPN licenses in good standing AND actively enrolled in accredited RN program in good standing AND employed in the Hospital nurse development program.
  
  

Preferences

LPN: Unit Specific Preferences:

• Medical Surgical/Observation Units: One year Medical/Surgical experience or equivalent work experience and training in a direct patient care role OR active LPN licenses in good standing AND actively enrolled in accredited RN program in good standing AND employed in the Hospital nurse development program.
  
  

Special Position Requirements

Exposure Categories:

Special Position Requirements Exposure Categories: Category I: Expected duties have routine potential for exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues. Other potential hazard(s): potential exposure to chemical, biological, and radioactive substances; possible exposure to hostile individuals. Work Requirements

• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills.
• Consistently demonstrations behaviors and professionalism that aligns with the Level Up Nursing Internship and KRMC code of conduct, Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Must be able to lift 50-70 pounds, assist in a combined lift of up to 300 pounds, and walk three miles per shift.
• Able to care for patients with infectious diseases.
• Able to sit, stand, walk 3-5 hours/day; bend, stoop, kneel, and reach for duration of shift.
  
  

Work Requirements

• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to lift 50-70 pounds, assist in a combined lift of 150 pounds, and walk three miles per shift.
• Able to care for patients with infectious diseases.
• Able to stand for extended period of time.
  
  

Acknowledgement

This job description applies to all KHI facilities and is representative of the essential job duties this position will perform. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Date Staff Position Description Created / Revised: 03/07/2019;04/03/2024;01/17/2024