Position: Practical Nurse Externship

Competition #: Practical Nurse Externship

Status: Various positions available

Department: Inpatient Units

Union Association: Non-Union

RATE OF PAY: $20.60 per hour, plus 13% and 4% in lieu of benefits and vacation

Position Summary:

The Practical Nurse Extern will be a member of the health care team providing direct patient care and working under the direction of the Registered Nurse/Registered Practical Nurse (RN/RPN). The Extern will be assigned and/or buddied with a RN/RPN on every shift.

Reporting to the Manager of the Staffing Resource Team and the team lead of the respective department, responsibilities will include assisting in personal care of patients, assist in nursing process by observing and reporting changes in the patients physical and emotional condition, assists in maintaining a safe, neat and clean environment for patients and personnel by following safety policies and procedures and will undertake other duties as assigned.

Direct Patient Care (with appropriate supervision):

• Providing or assisting with personal hygiene care (including bathing, dressing, shaving and shampooing hair)
• Providing for assisting with lifting, turning, transferring, transporting and ambulating as per hospital back care programProviding measures to ensure protection of skin integrity
• Providing ongoing comfort measures to the patient including bed making
• Assisting with patient safety and comfort by ensuring environment is tidy, clean and safe from hazards
• Assisting with or providing oral nutritional intake
• Assisting with elimination
• Practices all patient care procedures in keeping with Infection Control Policies and using universal precautions
• Participates as a team member

Communication:

• Provides ongoing support for the patient and family ( all social supports) using effective communication skills
• Responsible for ongoing communication of patient status with RN/RPN
• Documents nursing care (activities of daily living) on the flow sheet
• Participates in the completion of relevant reports/forms as required by hospital policy
• (i.e incident report)
• Functions as a member of the health care team and develops good working relationships/partnerships with other departments within the hospital.

Professional Responsibility:

• Maintains dignity and self-esteem of patients in delivery of care
• Practices patient confidentiality Respects patient privacy
• Practices behaviors consistent with BGH values (i.e. Compassion/Professionalism/Respect)

Qualifications:

• The Practical Nurse Extern must have successfully completed his/her first year and be enrolled in the upcoming year in a recognized Practical Nursing program.
• Previous experience in a health care setting, preferable a hospital setting
• Strong computer skills necessary for power chart and order entry
• Ability to take direction and work in a rapidly changing environment
• Excellent organizational, problem solving, decision making and interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with patients, families and other healthcare professionals
• Ability to respect and maintain confidentiality
• Knowledge of and adherence to BGH Core Values
• Advocates and supports a culture of patient safety and demonstrates an understanding of how the department service and assigned responsibilities contribute to overall patient safety at BGH through patient safety knowledge, skills and attitudes