GRADY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

 JOB TITLE:  Nurse Extern                          SUPERVISOR:  Nurse Manager

 DATE:           July 12, 2002                     DEPARTMENT:  Medical/Surgical

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FACTOR                                                SPECIFICATION

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 EDUCATION      Classified as a senior nursing student (with a minimum of 2

                              semesters of clinical course work in a registered nurse

                              program).  Must maintain a GPA of 2.5.  Must remain a

                              fulltime student and provide verification of enrollment.

                              Current BLS.  Must sit for boards within 30 days of

                              graduation.

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 EXPERIENCE       No experience required.  A letter from the nursing faculty

                              outlining a) good standing b) expected date of graduation

                              c) faculty's recommendation for student to participate in

                              nurse extern program.  A typed essay stating why you want

                              to be in this program. 

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JUDGEMENT & COMPLEXITY        Involves various duties related to patient care.  Ability

                              to make decisions with immediate supervision of a Staff RN.

                              May be expected to assess patients condition or situation

                              and take action within the scope of practice following

                              hospital procedure.  Will not delegate job duties to other

                              staff.

RESPONSIBILITY                        Responsible for actions of self.  Will not direct or check

OF WORK OF OTHERS               work of others.

RESPONSIBILITY                Involves considerable monetary responsibility for use of

FOR ASSETS                        equipment and supplies.  Damage or loss is possible but can

                              be diminished by exercising care and attention.  Damage and

                              loss would be at a minimum as work is subject to immediate

                              review by an RN.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR                Requires continual exposure to confidential patient

CONFIDENTIAL DATA                reports/records and conversation concerning patients while

                              performing duties.  The full meaning of this is understood

                              and Would cause external friction as well as have legal

                              ramifications if disclosed.

RESPONSIBILITY                Requires frequent exposure to patients, Nursing Service

FOR CONTACT                   employees, and physicians while furnishing and obtaining

WITH OTHERS                     information.  Contacts are usually on a personal basis or

                              written reports, but may communicate by telephone.  Requires

                              discretion and courtesy during these contacts.

WORKING                          Requires some exposure to odors, fumes, blood, etc.  While

CONDITIONS                    these conditions are often present, the employee is normally

                              exposed to them from time to time or for a short period of

                              time.

JOB HAZARDS                   Category 1 - Job routinely requires contact with blood, body

                              fluids or tissue.  Protective equipment and clothing are a

                              must for safety.  Job involves exposure to some hazards that

                              might cause serious injury or illness such as transmittable

                              diseases.  Frequently exposed to minor hazards such as

                              infected needles, which could cause illness.

JOB DESCRIPTION/SPECIFIC JOB PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

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 JOB TITLE:                                                  DEPT:  Nursing Service

Nurse Extern

 SUPERVISOR:                                                 UNIT:   Medical/Surgical

Nurse Manager

 REVISION DATE:                                              SHIFT:  All shifts

June 18, 2002

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 JOB SUMMARY

 Under the immediate supervision of a Registered Nurse provides general nursing care and

coordinates patient care for a group of patients.  Cares for infants through geriatric age

groups.  After evaluation of competency, the Nurse Extern is allowed to perform all the

duties of a nursing assistant as well as other technical duties which have been learned in

a  nursing education program for which competency has been validated by a faculty member.

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 JOB DUTIES

 1. Systematically evaluates the health care needs of individuals: 

             appropriate for specific age groups and patient conditions.

             {Under the immediate supervision of the RN}

             a.  Initiates comprehensive physical evaluation and screening

             b.  Obtains and reviews past and current health history

 2. Initiates patient care by applying an individualized Care Plan

             reflecting the current and changing patient status while involving patient

             and/or family.

             {Under the immediate supervision of the RN{

             a.  Sets goals, applies appropriate nursing interventions to meet goals and

                 the special needs of the patient and enlists the assistance of various

                 team members as approp.

             b.  Incorporates discharge planning in the plan of care.

3. Intervenes by providing direct patient care and using competent nursing

             judgment and actions.  {Under the direct supervision of the RN}

             a. Recommends appropriate nursing interventions to meet the goals and special

                needs of the patient.

             b. Evaluates patient response to medication and treatments and implements

                appropriate interventions.

             c. Recognizes physical and mental changes in patient condition, responds

                promptly and competently to prevent negative patient outcomes.

             d. Serves as patient advocate by defending and preserving the rights,

                dignity, privacy and property of the patient.

 4. Evaluates patient outcomes by utilizing the critical thinking process,

             evidenced-based knowledge to recognize problems, evaluate facts and reach

             sound conclusions.  {Under the direct supervision of the RN}

             a. Assumes responsibility for seeing things through to completion and for

                informing others of outcomes or needed follow-up action.

             b. Evaluates patient discharge needs based on the plan of care outcomes.

 5. Interacts with a variety of personnel with diverse backgrounds in education,

             experience, ability, and motivation. 

             {Under the direct supervision of the RN}

             a. Participates in the interdisciplinary approach to patient care and

                facilitates communication among the interdisciplinary team.

             b. Participates with other patient care team members in shift report and

                patient rounds providing appropriate up to date information.

 6. Takes responsibility for continued professional growth and development.

             a. Maintains and documents required hospital and unit competencies.

             b. Provides documentation of skills performed in clinical settings during

                formalized clinicals via school setting.

             c. Attends unit staff meetings and/or reads minutes.

 7. Follows safety precautions by cooperating with all aspects of the Environment

             of Care program, including:

             a. Complies with rules and regulations

             b. Practices safety while performing duties and detects and reports hazards

                to supervisor or the hospital safety manager.

             c. Uses appropriate personal protective equipment as required by the job

                duties.

             d. Utilizes safe moving practices ie:  two people to turn a patient, gait

                belt used for walking, the slide board or lift device used for a fallen

                patient, to list a few.

 8. Assumes active role in Performance Improvement activities.

             a.  Offers suggestions or engages in activities that could enhance quantity

                 and quality of care given to patients.

             b. Demonstrates fiscal responsibility by monitoring and maintaining

                appropriate levels of inventory, limiting waste, and assuring the

                responsible use of equipment and supplies.

 9. Adheres to hospital and unit policies and procedures.

             a. Maintains accurate time record. Rarely misses clocking in/out.

             b. Utilizes and cares for equipment appropriately.

                (see equipment following JD)

             c. Flexible in working hours to meet staffing needs of the units.

             d. Observes appropriate meal and break times.

 EQUIPMENT/TOOLS:

Stethoscope

IV infusion pump

Gomco/wall/portable suction

Oxygen equipment:

Face shields

Cannulas, masks

Mist tents

Bi-Pap

Crash cart: adult/ped/infant

Heat lamp

TENS unit

Apnea monitor

Bili-lite

Nurse call system

KDC radiant warmer

Isolette

Beds:  adult and infant

Pulse oximeters

Scales:

Standing

Bed

Infant

Wheelchair

Hoyer lift

Traction equipment

Doppler

Holter monitor

Blood glucose machine

Crib

Phone for the deaf

Restraining devices

Telemetry

Personal protective equipment

K-modules

Paging system

Chest tube drainage system

Aquathermia unit

Computer system

Needle system

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Last modified: 02/17/06