Nurse Extern I and II

Schuylkill•Allentown, PA

25d•Onsite

About The Position

Imagine a career at one of the nation's most advanced health networks. Be part of an exceptional health care experience. Join the inspired, passionate team at Lehigh Valley Health Network, a nationally recognized, forward-thinking organization offering plenty of opportunity to do great work. LVHN has been ranked among the "Best Hospitals" by U.S. News & World Report for 23 consecutive years. We're a Magnet(tm) Hospital, having been honored five times with the American Nurses Credentialing Center's prestigious distinction for nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes in our Lehigh Valley region. Finally, Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest, Lehigh Valley Hospital - Muhlenberg, Lehigh Valley Hospital- Hazleton, and Lehigh Valley Hospital - Pocono each received an 'A' grade on the Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group in 2020, the highest grade in patient safety. These recognitions highlight LVHN's commitment to teamwork, compassion, and technology with an unrelenting focus on delivering the best health care possible every day. Whether you're considering your next career move or your first, you should consider Lehigh Valley Health Network. Nurse Extern I: Summary The Nurse Extern I position is intended for nursing students enrolled in an accredited School of Nursing. This position provides the chance to work with RNs in a variety of healthcare settings, earning invaluable experience and skills that will enhance nursing knowledge and prepare you for a profession as a registered nurse. The Nurse Extern I will participate in the collaborative identification and reporting of patient safety issues. Provide continuous, direct, one-to-one patient visual and audible observation of patients of all ages to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment. Communicate with the patients to deescalate tense situations, verbal communication with care team members, and document in the patients electronic medial record in regular intervals. Perform or assist patients with ADL's, meals, and ambulate patients. Ensures that the patient environment is safe and report any safety hazards to the nurse. Nurse Extern II: Summary The Nurse Extern II position is intended for nursing students in an accredited School of Nursing. This position provides the chance to work alongside RNs in a variety of healthcare settings, earning invaluable experience and skills that will enhance nursing knowledge and prepare you for a profession as a registered nurse. You will assist with providing direct patient care, including treatments and diagnostic studies as directed by a registered nurse. Provide other support services, dictated by patient needs, as a care delivery team member. Utilize effective and appropriate communication styles. And support unit and hospital goals and objectives.

Requirements

High School Diploma/GED and enrolled in an accredited School of Nursing
Completion of freshman year or equivalent if enrolled in a Diploma, ADN, or fast track program
Ability to organize and prioritize assignments in the delivery of patient care.
Successful completion of orientation.
Attainment and maintenance of unit-specific competencies.
Basic computer skills.
American Heart Association Basic Life Support - State of Pennsylvania within 30 Days
completion of sophomore year or equivalent if enrolled in a diploma, ADN, or fast track program, or may be graduates of a nursing program that have not obtained a Temporary Practice Permit

Responsibilities

Takes initiative in compassionately rendering services or responding to needs and interacts hospitably, cheerfully, and supportively with staff, patients, visitors, and work colleagues.
Seeks help or advise as soon as possible when patient appears to be in medical distress or poses a threat, and escalates to assigned medical professions.
Assists patient with ordering dietary tray and setting up a patient's mean tray and assists with basic positioning of patient.
Participates in hand-off of pertinent information/behavior about assigned patient when arriving on unit and upon completion of shift assignment.
Assists with patient wheelchair rides and/or ambulation if the patient is stable and gait has been previously determined safe.
Assists in completing specific direct patient care tasks.
Responds rapidly and thoroughly to emergencies and special needs.
Provides continuous direct one-to-one patient observation.
Documents observations in the patient's electronic medical record in regular intervals.
Provides care to and related activities for designated patients using a patient/family centered approach and in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Employs astute observational skills and properly communicates findings, changes, or problems to the RN.
Uses effective and appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication styles with patients, significant others, visitors, staff, and professional colleagues.
Functions as a department team member to support unit-based patient experience goals, as well as hospital goals and objectives.
Demonstrates team building skills by participating in the orientation of new staff as assigned.
Performs validated technical skills based upon clinical specialty and unit practice.
Utilizes technology and incorporates technology to optimize alternative modes of care delivery.
Completes quality control checks on designated unit equipment, if applicable.
Conducts patient rounds as assigned, anticipates patient needs, and answers/responds to patient call light or pages promptly.