Student Nurse Intern-Acute Psych

Kaweah Health•Visalia, CA

About The Position

The Student Nurse Intern (SNI) works under the direction and direct supervision of a registered nurse (RN) to help protect and promote health, prevent illness and injury, and alleviate suffering through nursing diagnosis and treatment. In partnership with the RN, the SNI contributes to professional practice, supports the interdisciplinary health care team, provides holistic care, and advocates for patients and families in the Acute Psych department. While school is in session, the SNI may perform designated functions and nursing procedures only after the skills have been validated by the school of nursing in conjunction with the Kaweah Health RN preceptor. The SNI works under the supervision of a Kaweah Health RN preceptor, maintains an available validated Skills Checklist, and is responsible for taking the checklist to the nursing school for completion. Certain duties require an RN to be present even when the SNI's skills have been validated, including medication administration, initiating or adjusting intravenous therapy, administering IV medication, and taking physician orders. After completing Kaweah Health position- and unit-specific competencies, the SNI may continuously perform specified support duties, including on non-instructional days. The role also requires providing care appropriate to the population served and respecting patient and family cultural, linguistic, spiritual, gender, and age-specific needs. The position is not benefits eligible and is an evening 12-hour shift.

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).
Have skills validated by the school of nursing in conjunction with the Kaweah Health RN preceptor before performing applicable duties.
Maintain a validated Skills Checklist available while working as an SNI and take it to the school of nursing for completion.
Effectively communicate with and provide care for patients and families, as reflected in the Plan for Provision of Care.

Nice To Haves

Current California Certified Nursing Assistant certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Collaborate and communicate with patients, residents, families, and other health care providers.
Work with the RN to formulate plans of care and involve patients and residents in care decisions and service delivery.
Maintain a validated Skills Checklist and perform validated duties under the supervision of an RN preceptor.
Report changes in patient condition, needs, concerns, activity, and output to licensed staff; promptly refer complaints and problems to licensed staff or the department manager.
Answer assigned patient call lights within two minutes; greet patients and family members professionally and identify oneself by name and job category.
Assist patients with their needs and support nursing staff with tasks delegated by the RN.
Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with safety, infection-control, and other current policies and procedures.
Assist with toileting, including emptying bedpans and drainage containers, and report variations in output to the RN.
Assist with patient admission, transfer, discharge, and orientation to the room.
Assist with meals, snacks, water pitchers, and activities of daily living, including bathing, ambulation, and oral care.
Collect and record intake and output, weight, height, and vital signs as delegated by the RN; collect respiratory rate by direct observation.
Document care in the electronic medical record as soon as possible after it is provided.
Collect, label, and deliver specimens.
Provide post-mortem care and assist with transporting the body to the morgue.
Assist with emergency care, including crash cart checks, CPR, and responding to Code Blue.
Handle patients' personal property carefully and maintain a clean, safe, and neat patient environment.
Keep required certifications current and maintain a well-groomed, professional appearance; wear a watch with timing capabilities as part of the uniform.
Provide care and services appropriate to the assigned population and address patient and family cultural, linguistic, spiritual, gender, and age-specific needs.
Perform other duties as assigned.