PRN - Nurse Extern

Conemaugh Nason Medical Center is seeking Nursing Student Externs. The externship is a clinical/work experience designed for nursing students who have completed their junior year in a nursing program. The extern is responsible to the Nurse Manager/Clinical Supervisor and is responsible for delivery of basic nursing care under the direction and general supervision of a Registered Nurse. The student will not perform any procedure that requires licensing by the state of PA (e.g. passing medications, nursing diagnosis, admission assessment). The student will gain hands on experience in a multitude of technical skills, while further developing psychosocial intervention in the hospital setting.

Conemaugh Nason Medical Center is a 45-bed hospital that serves rural and suburban populations in Roaring Spring, Altoona, and parts of Blair, Bedford, and Huntingdon counties. Caring for the community since 1900, Conemaugh Nason Medical Center prides itself on providing safe, high quality, compassionate care. With a state-of-the art cardiac catheterization lab, Conemaugh Nason offers a range of inpatient and outpatient cardiac services close to home when every minute matters. The hospital provides 24/7 emergency care as an accredited chest pain center, and offers comprehensive outpatient, imaging, diagnostic, and specialty services. As a LifePoint Health National Quality Leader, Conemaugh Nason is leading the way among peers by delivering the highest quality of care for patients.

Conemaugh Nason is also a member of the Conemaugh Health System, a Duke LifePoint Healthcare system. Conemaugh Health System serves more than a half-million patients each year through the Nason Physician Group, Conemaugh Physician Group and Medical Staff, a network of four hospitals, specialty clinics and patient-focused programs.

Essential Functions:

Admits and orients patients within 20 minutes following arrival to their rooms. Provide patient education/room orientation (correct storage of

valuables, eyeglasses, dentures, use of equipment, bed controls, nurse/patient communication system and location of bathroom and emergency

call bell).

Regularly provides patients with all personal items within their reach; ensures that the patient call light cord is always within reach. Assists

patients in accounting for belongings before and after moves.

Utilizes appropriate skin prep and electrode placement for patients who are placed on telemetry monitors.

Ensures patient safety by maintaining beds in a low position with side rails in place and locked at all times; and seeing that patients are secured

appropriately when transported by wheelchair or stretcher.

Demonstrates knowledge of the importance of identifying the patient with his/her armband before any treatments, procedures or dietary services

are given.

Demonstrates a knowledge of specimen collection procedures and accurately labels and delivers all specimens.

Promptly performs all errands as assigned, delivers specimens and requisitions to appropriate department as required.

Demonstrates an ability to assemble and operate all applicable equipment (suction, siderails, bed scales, traction, etc.), reports malfunctioning

equipment immediately.

Promptly answers all call bell lights (whether that of assigned patient or not), anticipates patient needs and demonstrates a cooperative attitude

when assisting patients.

Regularly provides patients with clean linen and makes or straightens beds as assigned.

Assists with standing, lifting, and ambulation of patients.

Regularly performs basic nursing procedures as assigned, by charge nurse.

Demonstrates competency in glucometer testing, EKG, folly catheter insertion and NGT insertion as trained by CNMC staff.

Consistently communicates appropriately with patients, speaks respectfully, and responds to patients' needs or requests for assistance promptly.

As required, provides postmortem care and transport of a body in a safe, precise manner to the morgue. Appropriate accounts for all patient

belongings on patient belonging record.

Handles requests for information with courtesy, accuracy, and respect for patient confidentiality; receives information and distributes messages

as necessary.

Observes patients and reports any problems (e.g. bleeding, drainage, voiding, machine functions, safety needs, etc.) immediately to the charge

nurse.

Regularly reports complaints of patients, visitors, and physicians to a higher authority.

Assists RN with completion of care plans.

Organizational Expectations:

Demonstrates support of the mission, vision, values, goals and general policies of Conemaugh Nason Medical Center.

Complies with corporate compliance guidelines and requirements of federal, state and local regulatory and accrediting agencies.

Adheres to the standards of professional ethics and handles confidential information in strict conformance with departmental and Medical Center

policies.

Provides quality care and services consistent with Medical Center standards and participates in the Medical Center’s Continuous Quality

Improvement Program.

Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in response to unexpected changes in the workload, emergencies, staffing and scheduling.

Uses tact, sensitivity, sound judgment and a professional attitude when relating with co-workers, patients, families, and visitors.

Performs duties in a self-directed and cooperative manner with minimal need for supervision. Uses time constructively for maximum productivity.

Treats all co-workers, patients, families, and visitors with consideration to their rights, cultural diversity, privacy, comfort and emotional needs.

Serves as a patient advocate and fosters a work culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Attends all mandatory trainings and completes all required Life Talent education assignments within a timely manner.

Keeps updated regarding Medical Center changes through meeting attendance and review of posted information; attends briefs, debriefs, and

huddles.

Abides by and references the Employee Handbook and other pertinent facility policies, including clinical, non-clinical, safety, and infection

control.

Job Requirements:

Education:

Must have completed a semester of clinical training in a school of nursing with accumulative GPA of 2.75 or greater on a 4.0 scale.

Required Skills:

Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision.

Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.

BLS Certification, preferred.

Competitive wage, retirement benefits, 401K, and onsite occupational health!