STUDENT NURSE EXTERN

Riverside Healthcare in Kankakee, Illinois, is seeking a dedicated and motivated Student Nurse Extern to join our dynamic healthcare team. This 12-week Nurse Externship program offers nursing students the opportunity to assist with the routine care of patients under the direct supervision of professional nurses. The extern will gain first-hand experience while working alongside the interdisciplinary team to provide compassionate care to patients and their families. This program aims to enhance the extern's skills in prioritization, delegation, and clinical decision-making, ultimately increasing their confidence as they approach their final year of nursing school and beyond. The student nurse extern demonstrates flexibility with assignments within their professional scope, duties, and licensure. Successful completion of the externship may lead to eligibility for a scholarship of up to $1,000 and a Temporary Student Nurse Assistant position. Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Essential Duties

• Assists supervising nurse with comprehensive evaluations, including head-to-toe assessments, monitoring, trending, and analyzing vital signs, lab results, and intake and output (I&O).
• Assist patients with all aspects of activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, and bed changes.
• Feed patients and provide between-meal fluids and nourishments.
• Obtain and record patient weights using standing scales, bed scales, and wheelchairs.
• Perform glucose monitoring, EKG, and bladder scans.
• Obtains lab specimens as observed by the supervising nurse.
• Document chartable activities accurately in electronic health records (EHR) and report any changes in patient condition to the supervising nurse.
• Answer call lights in a timely and courteous manner.
• Transfer patients within the hospital environment and assist with bed mobility while adhering to minimal lift safety standards.
• Utilize safety restraints and assistive devices appropriately.
• Adhere to infection control procedures, including hand hygiene, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and environmental cleaning.
• Adhere to the interdisciplinary plan of care developed by the professional nurse.
• Maintain a clean and safe environment for patients, adhering to infection control an isolation protocols and safety guidelines.
• Restock supplies in patients' rooms and perform walking rounds to check on patient needs.
• Engage with patients and their families, providing emotional support and education regarding care plans and procedures in conjunction with the professional nurse.
• Patient Experience: Engage with patients and their families in a manner that promotes comfort, trust, and understanding. Address patient concerns with empathy and professionalism, striving to create a positive and supportive environment that fosters a sense of security and well-being.
• Employee Experience: Contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment. Offer constructive feedback and assistance to peers, and engage in open communication to promote a culture of mutual respect and teamwork.
• Adhere to organizational policies and procedures, including downtime processes.  
• Team member will maintain annual education requirements for hospital-based certifications (e.g. DNV CARF and or others).

Non-essential Duties

• Assist with administrative tasks, such as filing, scheduling appointments, and answering phones as needed.
• Attend educational sessions and training opportunities to enhance clinical skills and knowledge.
• Participate in departmental meetings and contribute to quality improvement initiatives.
• Shadow various healthcare professionals to gain a broader understanding of different roles within the healthcare team.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Our Commitment to You:

Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and nationally rated employee well-being programs, competitive compensation, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so your journey at and away from work is remarkable.  Our Total Rewards package includes:

Compensation

• Base compensation within the position’s pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift differential, on-call
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits

• Paid Leave Hours accrued as you work

Preferred Experience

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment preferred.
• Demonstrated compassion and empathy in patient care preferred.

Required Licensure/Education

• Currently enrolled in and entering into final year of an accredited nursing program (Associate Degree in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing).
• Completion of at least one clinical rotation in a nursing program is required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required. 

Preferred Education

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements:

• Exposure:
• Chemicals: Refer to MSDS sheets
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Depends on patients’ diagnosis, exposure to urine, blood, stool, vomitus, AIDS, Herpes.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: High risk-sputum, secretions, coughing. Usage of PP equipment, properly fit tested mask, and universal precautions minimize risk. 

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Required to communicate with patient/families/staff/doctors, coworkers, ancillary personnel and other department heads. Ability to ask for help. 
• Vision: Required to observe patients; reading equipment and dials. 
• Smell: Helpful to note presence of incontinence, vomitus, blood; electrical/fire safety. 
• Hearing: Necessary to hear alarms, yells for help and to hear patient verbalizations. 
• Touch: Contact with patients, need to distinguish between hot and cold.

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 10%
• Twist: 5%
• Stand: 45%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 25%
• Kneel: 0%
• Lift: 6%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 2%
• Climb: 1%
• Bend: 5%
• Reach above shoulders: 1%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 35 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 60 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements:

Lifting of patients off their beds that are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment. Horizontal movement of patients to and from carts/beds who are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment. Lifting equipment - carry 25'- 150' waist high (IV bags, patient trays). Carry charts 25'- 150' waist high. Filled laundry bags are filled half full so as not to weigh over 35 lbs. Carry fire extinguishers down 1/2 flight of stairs or up 3-4 flights of stairs and several yards in an emergency.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 30
• Twist: 15
• Stand: 60
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 15
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 5
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 5
• Climb: 1
• Bend: 15
• Reach above shoulders: 5

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated): 

• Simple grasp 15 lbs.
• Pushing & pulling - 50-200 lbs: Occasionally
• Fine Manipulation: taking temperature with probe. Opening juice and milk containers. Opening silverware, soap packages. Handling CS tags. Using writing instruments.

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: Bed lock and cardiac chair - at least 50# of pressure. Hydraulic tub lift -at least 50# of pressure. 

Environmental Factors and Special Hazards:

• Environmental Factors (Time Spent):
• Inside hours: 6-40
• Outside hours: 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere: Odors
• Special Hazards: Chemical -drugs/work with patients receiving chemotherapy-Explosive-oxygen; Radiation-cesium implants and radioactive iodine therapy direct radiation for radiology equipment; mechanical- use of Hoover lift bed scales, motorized wheelchairs, bathtub lift chair.
• Protective Clothing Required: Gowns, gloves, goggles, masks, HEPA masks for TB.