What are the responsibilities and job description for the Student Extern: Mother/Baby position at Merit Health River Oaks?
Job Summary
The Nurse Intern supports patient care under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), assisting with essential care tasks and fostering a therapeutic environment. This role emphasizes hands-on learning, collaboration with the healthcare team, and providing safe, compassionate, and organized care to enhance the patient experience and contribute to the healing process.
Essential Functions
- Provides basic patient care within scope of practice, including vital sign monitoring, hygiene assistance, and patient comfort measures, ensuring timely and accurate completion of tasks.
- Communicates effectively with the care team, including handoffs, reporting changes in patient conditions, and participating in bedside shift reports.
- Develops clinical skills by asking questions, seeking feedback, and applying evidence-based practices under the guidance of an RN.
- Maintains a clean and organized work environment, ensuring patient rooms, utility rooms, and shared workspaces meet safety and compliance standards.
- Assists with basic equipment maintenance, such as glucometers, bladder scanners, and scales, and ensures timely removal, cleaning, and proper storage of patient care equipment after discharge.
- Performs hourly rounding and provides purposeful patient interactions to foster therapeutic relationships and enhance the healing process.
- Documents all tasks and observations clearly, accurately, and in a timely manner, adhering to facility policies and standards.
- Upholds excellent customer service relations with patients, families, and internal/external departments.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Complies with all policies and standards.
Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in an accredited Nursing program required and
- Completion of fundamentals of clinicals in an accredited Nursing program required
- 0-1 years of experience in a healthcare setting required
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Basic understanding of patient care procedures and medical terminology.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients, families, and healthcare team members.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple tasks efficiently.
- Attention to detail and organizational skills to ensure accurate documentation and compliance with care standards.
- Commitment to maintaining a safe and therapeutic patient care environment.
Licenses and Certifications
- CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation issued by American Heart Association (AHA), American Red Cross (ARC), or American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) required
- For Skilled Nursing - Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by State Department of Public Safety required
