SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The Nurse Extern is a nursing student currently enrolled in an accredited school of nursing who has completed a Fundamentals of Nursing Course and maintains a BLS certification. This position is intended to serve as an opportunity for future Registered Nurses providing early exposure to ICU practice, hands-on learning, and integration into Missouri Delta Medical Center prior to graduation.
Under the direct supervision of a licensed Registered Nurse, the Nurse Extern participates in patient care activities appropriate to their level of education and competency while gaining exposure to the unit workflow, interdisciplinary collaboration, critical thinking, and clinical decision-making. The nurse extern is not assigned independent patient care responsibilities and must always work under the supervision of a licensed clinical staff member.
The Nurse Extern may be assigned to support patient care roles at times with responsibilities related to their education, training, and demonstrated competency. These duties may include assisting in activities of daily living, obtaining vital signs, and supporting patient care as a patient care tech or patient sitter.
FUNCTIONS OF POSITION:
1.Assists patient with activities of daily living, provides basic nursing care and assists in maintenance of a safe and clean environment.
2.Explains procedures to patient prior to initiation and participates in instruction as necessary.
3.Smiles and talks with patient, even if patient appears unresponsive.
4.Serves meals, assists with meals, and feeds patients in an unhurried manner.
5.Turns patient, transfers to chair and ambulates patient according to activity order.
6.Measures intake and output and records accurately.
7.Provides postmortem care according to policy.
8.Obtains and records temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and weights as ordered.
9.Keeps hall, nurses station, clean and dirty utility room, and linen cart in order. Keeps patient environment neat and orderly.
10.Reports abnormal intake/output/vital signs/elimination or any change in patient condition to team leader/charge nurse.
11.Promotes good public relations for the nursing department/hospital.
12.Records nursing care provided in a clear and accurate manner.
13.Respects the confidentiality of patient, hospital, and physician related information.
14.Provides patient privacy at all times.
15.Participates in Quality Improvement.
16.Assists in admissions, transfers, and discharges. Collects and documents patient admission data correctly. Secures disposition of patient belongings.
17.Assists with diagnostic tests, special procedures and specimen collection as required.
18.Communicates and collaborates with health care team members to provide quality patient care.
19.Competently performs core and unit specific clinical skills.
20.Answers call lights timely, ensures personal articles and call lights are within reach and available for use.
21.Knowledgeable of proper and safe use of patient care equipment.
22.Utilizes basic problem-solving skills to prevent/resolve issues.
Skills Required
- Currently enrolled in an accredited school of nursing
- Completed Fundamentals of Nursing course
- Maintains BLS (Basic Life Support) certification
- Ability to obtain and record vital signs and intake/output accurately
- Ability to perform core and unit-specific clinical skills under supervision
What We Do
Missouri Delta Medical Center has been providing comprehensive medical care to the people of Southeast Missouri since 1948. Our doctors specialize in a wide range of medical services, and our staff focuses on offering personlized, compassionate care to you and your family. At our facility, you can find a wide array of medical professionals ranging for family doctors to internists to specialty surgeons. We understand that everyone's medical needs are different, and that these needs change as we age. That's why we work hard to maintain a highly assertive and talented staff that can quickly and effectively provide you with exactly what you need. Good health care begins on day one. If you are searching for the perfect Gynecologist or Pediatrician, take a look through our online list of physicians. Missouri Delta Medical Center is proud to have over 84 physicians on medical staff in over 25 different areas of healthcare, to ensure you find the perfect match. For some, the main hospital in Sikeston is a little far from home. Missouri Delta Medical Center includes several walk-in clinics around Southeast Missouri, all of which are equipped to handle an array of illnesses and injuries. Around the clock urgent care is always available at our main campus emergency room. We also have Express Care for less urgent, though immediate health concerns. Come to Missouri Delta Medical Center for the best orthopaedic surgeons, radiology, labor and delivery, and inpatient rehab in Sikeston.
