POSITION SUMMARY
Under the direct supervision of a licensed professional registered nurse, this position will allow the nursing students within two years from graduation with a Bachelor’s or Associate Degree in Nursing prior to passing State Boards the ability to expand their clinical experience while working through standard Nurse Extern competency assessment on a wide variety of patient care activities, which include classroom training, participation in patient care planning, implementation, observation and evaluation, as well as identification/reporting significant observations. The unlicensed Nurse Extern role is not a permanent position. Employment will be impacted based on criteria outlined in the La Paz Regional Hospital policy.
CORE FUNCTIONS
1. The unlicensed Nurse Extern must always be under the direct supervision of a designated licensed professional registered nurse.
2. Provides direct nursing care including attending to client’s comfort needs and other nursing skills/procedures for which they have received didactic & clinical instruction in their program, as well as their competency established and witnessed under the direct supervision of a licensed professional registered nurse.
3. Assists in the assessment, planning, diagnosis, implementation, evaluation and nursing care under direct supervision of a licensed professional registered nurse.
4. Must be able to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills and analyze complex data in order to identify and report patient status to a licensed professional registered nurse
5. Collaborates with other disciplines in the planning, implementation, evaluation and modification of nursing care under the direct supervisor of a licensed professional registered nurse.
6. Follows safety standards, adheres to compliance education/training, and performs all functions according to established policies/procedures, regulatory and accreditation requirements as well as applicable professional standards in all aspects of performance, while demonstrating La Paz Regional Hospital standard of behaviors in order to deliver an excellent service experience.
7. May not perform any skill independently or without direct supervision of the licensed professional registered nurse. Interacts with all levels of staff in a variety of departments: physicians, patients, families and external contacts, such as employees of other health care institutions, community providers and agencies, concerning the health care of the patient. Performs specific duties related to the assigned nursing unit under direct supervision of the licensed professional registered nurse & within the approved polices of the facility in which they are employed. Interacts with other health care providers in numerous settings in order to report and ask for or clarify information. The unlicensed Nurse Extern can continue to perform routine, repetitive nursing activities within the essential functions of the Nurse Extern role that require no nursing judgement while pending transfer into the RN New Graduate role. The unlicensed Nurse Extern must always be under the direct supervision of a designated licensed professional registered nurse.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ENVIRONMENT FACTORS
DP - Typical Direct Patient Care environment:
Able to stand, walk, bend, squat, reach, and stretch frequently.
Possess physical agility and adequate reaction time to respond quickly and appropriately to unexpected patient care needs.
Needs adequate hearing and visual acuity, including adequate color vision.
Requires fine motor skills, adequate eye-hand coordination, and ability to grasp and handle objects.
Able to use proper body mechanics to assist patients in ambulating, transferring in and out of bed, chair or wheelchair.
May be required to lift up to 50 pounds.
Must use standard precautions due to threat of exposure to blood and bodily fluids.
Needs ability to communicate effectively through reading, writing, and speaking in person or on telephone.
May require periodic use of personal computer.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Must be enrolled in an accredited nursing program and currently in the 3rd or 4th semester.
Must be able to graduate from an accredited nursing program on initial anticipated graduation date at day of hire.
BLS Certification required. Must be able to pass Nursing State Boards within 90 days after graduation or in the event a second attempt is needed, must schedule and pass within an additional 60 days from first attempt
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Additional related education and/or experience preferred.
Skills Required
- Enrolled in an accredited nursing program and currently in the 3rd or 4th semester.
- Able to graduate from an accredited nursing program on the initial anticipated graduation date at day of hire.
- BLS (Basic Life Support) Certification.
- Must pass Nursing State Boards within 90 days after graduation (if second attempt needed, must schedule and pass within an additional 60 days).
- Able to meet physical demands of direct patient care (stand/walk/lift up to 50 pounds, adequate hearing/vision, fine motor skills).
- Additional related education and/or experience.
What We Do
La Paz Regional Hospital is a nonprofit, 25-bed Critical Access Hospital based in Parker, Arizona, serving La Paz County and surrounding California areas of Big River and Earp. The hospital operates rural health clinics, outpatient labs, and specialty clinics in Parker, Salome, Quartzsite, and Bouse, providing a broad range of inpatient and outpatient services, including acute care and skilled nursing.
