Clinical Nurse Extern

Position Title

Job Description

Purpose & Scope:

The Nurse Extern (NE) works under the direct supervision of the RN and is an active member of the health care team. Under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, the NE performs a variety of routine duties involving the care of patients including performing direct patient care or activities of daily living, observing changes in the status of patients, providing a clean and safe environment, transporting patients, and other related duties. The Nurse Extern must be empathetic and have good communication and nursing skills to care for patients. The ability to retrieve, communicate or otherwise present information in a written, auditory or visual fashion is essential. The primary method to express or exchange ideas is through the spoken word. Written, telephone, and manual dexterity skills are required for this position.

Education:

High school or equivalent is required.

Experience:

Completion of both fundamentals of nurse coursework and clinical rotation are required.

Certification/Licensure:

BLS certification required.

Physical Requirements:

Patient Care: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential function of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions: The employee must possess physical capabilities in an amount equal to the physical demands made in the performance of the job by: Very hard work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Cope with the mental and emotional stress associated with this position. Operate office machines safely and in accordance with hospital Safety Standards. Push patients on stretchers, wheelchairs or beds from one area to another. Bending: lowering the body forward from the waist. Stooping: bending body forward and downward by bending legs and spine at the waist through use of the lower extremities and back muscles. Kneeling: bending legs at knee to come to rest on knee or knees. Crouching: bending body downward and forward by bending legs and spine. Twisting: moving body from waist, using a turning motion. Reaching: extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. Standing: assuming an upright position, on the feet particularly, for sustained periods of time. Walking:  moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances. Pushing/Pulling:  using upper extremities to press or drag objects in a sustained motion of 30-50 pounds. Lifting: raising objects and people from a lower to higher position or moving objects or people horizontally from position-to-position through the use of the upper extremities and back muscles, of between 50-100 pounds. Repetitive Motions: sustained and continuous movements of the wrist, hands and/or fingers; Finger Dexterity: feeling and grasping. Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word those activities in which detailed or important spoken instructions must be conveyed accurately, loudly or quickly. Visual Acuity: the power to see at a level which allows reading of numbers and text, operation of equipment, inspections of machines, etc. Able to perform components of Basic Life Support if applicable 

Working Conditions:

Patient Care: Works in well-lighted/ventilated office/clinical setting. Subject to frequent interruptions. Subject to long hours, changing shifts. May be required to work beyond normal working hours when requested to do so, e.g., overtime, on call. Routine occupational exposure to infectious diseases, blood borne pathogens, bodily fluids, hazardous chemicals, noxious odors, latex, and/or musculoskeletal injuries. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is needed for instances of exposure to blood, body fluids and infectious processes, and are supplied by the hospital. Involved with patients, family members, co-workers, and visitors under all conditions, e.g., hostile and/or emotionally upset, disoriented or combative.