Student Nurse Intern- Acute Psych

Kaweah Health•Visalia, CA

About The Position

The Student Nurse Intern (SNI) works under the direct supervision of a registered nurse and a Kaweah Health RN preceptor. The role supports protecting and promoting health, preventing illness and injury, and alleviating suffering through nursing care. In partnership with the RN, the SNI contributes to the plan of care, communicates with patients, families, and healthcare providers, and advocates for patients and families. The position serves the Acute Psych department. SNI clinical functions may be performed only while school is in session. Students must have a validated Skills Checklist available while working and may perform skills only after validation by the school of nursing in conjunction with the Kaweah Health RN preceptor. Certain duties require an RN to be present even when the student’s skills have been validated for independent performance, including medication administration, initiation or adjustment of IV therapy, IV medication administration, and taking physician orders. After completing Kaweah Health position- and unit-specific competencies, the SNI may continuously perform designated support duties, including reporting patient changes and concerns to licensed staff, answering call lights, assisting with activities of daily living, collecting and documenting delegated measurements and specimens, and maintaining a safe, clean patient environment. The SNI must provide care appropriate to the population served and account for patients’ and families’ cultural, linguistic, spiritual, gender, and age-specific needs. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

BLS certification is required.
For ASN students: enrollment in an accredited RN program and completion of the third semester.
For BSN students: enrollment in an accredited RN program and completion of the fourth semester.
Submit an updated transcript to HR each term and notify the manager and HR of changes in nursing program enrollment.
Participation in an approved Work Study Program affiliated with the school of nursing, or current Kaweah Health employment while enrolled in a Kaweah Health/Unitek nursing program eligible for the practice and academic partnership (not for academic credit).
Maintain a validated Skills Checklist while working as an SNI and perform skills only after validation.
Keep all required certifications current.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills appropriate to the population served and communicate and care effectively for patients and families as reflected in the Plan for Provision of Care.
Wear a watch with timing capabilities, such as a seconds hand or stopwatch, as a required uniform component.

Nice To Haves

Current California Certified Nursing Assistant certification.

Responsibilities

Collaborate and communicate with patients, families, and other healthcare providers.
Work with the RN to formulate the plan of care and involve patients in decisions about care and service delivery.
Maintain a validated Skills Checklist and perform skills only after validation by the school of nursing in conjunction with the Kaweah Health RN preceptor.
Work under the supervision of a Kaweah Health RN preceptor and perform basic bedside care and selected nursing procedures as delegated by the RN.
Report variances in patient condition, patient or family needs and concerns, activity changes, complaints, and problems to licensed staff or the department manager.
Answer assigned patient call lights within two minutes; greet patients and family professionally and identify self by name and job category.
Assist patients with assigned needs, including toileting, meals, snacks, water pitchers, bathing, ambulation, and oral care.
Assist with patient admission, transfer, discharge, and orientation to the room.
Collect and record delegated intake and output, weight, height, and vital signs; collect respiratory rate by direct observation.
Document care in the electronic medical record as soon as possible after care occurs.
Collect, label, and deliver specimens.
Provide post-mortem care and assist with transporting bodies to the morgue.
Assist with emergency care, including crash cart checks, CPR, and response to Code Blue.
Handle patient property carefully and maintain confidentiality of patient care matters.
Comply with policies and procedures, including safety and infection control requirements, and perform tasks safely.
Maintain required certifications and professional appearance; wear a watch with timing capabilities as part of the uniform.
Maintain a clean, safe, and neat patient environment.
Provide care and services appropriate to the population served, considering cultural, linguistic, spiritual, gender, and age-specific needs.
Perform other duties as assigned.