LPN-STUDENT TECH

Job Summary: The Nurse Student Tech performs under the direct supervision of the RN and is delegated tasks by the RN or Patient Care Coordinator (PCC) to achieve quality patient care. He/she is involved in the implementation phase of the nursing process and is organizationally accountable to the Academic Nurse Manager. He/she is responsible for assisting patients with all activities of daily living, such as bathing, feeding, assisting with toileting, turning/repositioning patients, and clinical duties such as taking and documenting vital signs, point of care glucose testing, reporting abnormal values to the RN, and performing venipuncture. Other duties will be delegated by the RN, PCC, and/or Patient Care Manager.

Performance Expectations:

• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide technical care appropriate to the age of the patients served; also demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development and possesses the ability to collect and document data and relays appropriate data to nurse.
• Interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his/her age specific needs and provides care.
• Demonstrates skills to maintain a safe and clean work environment.
• Embraces and practices We CARE philosophy in all aspects of patient, visitor, co-worker, employee and non-employee care.
• Must be able to operate the following equipment/machines: Suction machine, glucose monitor, manual and automatic blood pressure machine, patient bed; call light, telephone, computer, printer, scanner, fax, etc.
• Demonstrates thorough, concise and timely documentation, shift reports and verbal communication. Communicates pertinent patient information to all health care team members.
• Maintains own clinical skills staying current in skills, ongoing competencies, equipment and certifications required in specific nursing area, and maintaining Basic Life Support (BLS) certification every two years.
• Demonstrates ability to perform all technical skills required for each unit’s population by rendering professional nursing care including venipuncture, obtaining vital signs and blood glucose, restraint and 1:1 suicide precautions, bathing, dressing, ambulating and feeding patients.
• Demonstrates technical aptitude for working, troubleshooting, and assisting the nurse with multiple pieces of equipment used for patient care including but not limited to telemetry monitoring devices, vital sign monitoring devices, blood glucose monitor, specialty beds, and sequential compression devices.
• Demonstrates the aptitude for safely positioning and assisting patients using a variety of devices such as but not limited to abduction pillows, splints, slings, braces, neck collars, walkers, crutches, immobilizers and specialty beds.
• Communicates effectively with others in an appropriate and timely manner. Adheres to and promotes the established values of the organization, i.e. customer service, safety, infection, control and compliance standards.
• Consistently follows patient care and FGH policy, procedures, and standards of care in performing nursing duties. Consistently attends to patients when their condition worsens, by appropriately and immediately alerting the RN, PCC, and other members of the healthcare team, as indicated.
• Demonstrates financial responsibility by using supplies in a cost efficient manner and keeping incremental overtime to a minimum.
• Must be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling ALL Hazardous drugs and contaminated body fluids and materials (PPE includes but is not limited to: nitrile gloves, disposable hazardous drug safe gowns, face shields, fit tested NIOSH certified N95 respirator mask).
• Final semester students may undertake additional skills such as catheter insertion and EKG monitoring under the supervision of an RN upon committing to employment at Forrest General Hospital. He/she will also be provided job shadowing opportunities in different departments throughout the facility.
• Perform any other job duties assigned

Qualifications:

Education/Skills: High school diploma or equivalent. Acceptance letter from a Practical Nursing program, or any non-online program.

Requirements:

Tier 1- Currently enrolled in and maintaining good standing at an accredited school of nursing, having successfully completed at least one semester.

Tier 2- Currently enrolled and maintaining good standing in the final semester of an accredited school of nursing, committed to employment at Forrest General Hospital.

Work Experience: Prior healthcare experience preferred.

Certification/Licensure-DUE UPON HIRE

• None

Additional Certification/Licensure - Obtained based on required timeframe below

• Basic Life Support

Within 30 Days of Employment

Required

Mental Demands: Ability to perform as a team member, cooperate with others, follow directions precisely, demonstrate initiative, set priorities and function under stress.