The Senior Extern to RN is a program providing employment as a Patient Care Assistant with expanded duties as competencies are assessed and documented throughout program. The focus of the program is to give senior nursing students experience in patient care and pediatric-intensive content and skills. The employee is responsible for performing basic supportive care to specified patients/families under the direction and supervision of an RN/Care Manager/Preceptor, such as collecting, documenting, and reporting data to the RN/Care Manager, but does not interpret data. The employee will demonstrate competence in providing age-appropriate care and service for pediatric patients from birth to 21 years, and selected adults.

Program Dates (Mandatory)

• Orientation:  December 16-20, 2024
• Epic Training:  January 2-3, 2025
• Start Working Shifts on Unit:  Week of January 5, 2025
• Workshops:  January 24, February 21, March 28, April 25, May 16
• Graduation:  June 4, 2025

Pay
$19/hr plus applicable shift and weekend differentials

Clinical

• Collects, documents, and reports the following data:
  -Vital signs Temperature (oral, axillary, rectal); pulse (apical and radial); respirations; blood pressure or mean arterial pressure using the non-invasive automatic blood pressure machine.
  -Heights, weights, head circumference and abdominal girth.
  -Oxygen saturation.

Provides basic supportive care:

• Hygiene: (bath, shampoos, mouth care).
• Bed making and keeping patient room clean and orderly
• Oral feedings; gravity tube feedings with LPN or RN.
• Delivers and collects meal trays and records I & O, calorie counts.
• Mobility: Assists with transfer (wheelchair, etc.) Ambulates patients.
• Elimination: Assists with urinary catheter insertion. Performs peri-care for patients with an indwelling urinary catheter per hospital policy. Empties catheter bag. Measures output (from catheter bag or collection device). Empties urine or stool.
• Provides basic skin care and applies NCH approved over the counter skin products that provide a protective barrier to prevent skin breakdown.
• Repositions patients and documents per NCH Skin Risk Protocol.
• Performs constant attendant responsibilities for patients when other alternatives are unavailable.
• Cares for patients with restraints and documents observations per policy.
• Promotes general patient safety.
• Provides postmortem care.

Performs the following procedures:

• Specimen collection: (urine for urinalysis and culture, stool for stool studies, sputum for culture, gastric drainage, blood by capillary puncture).
• Specimen testing per unit policy.
• Cast/traction/pin care.
• Simple (clean/non-sterile) dressing changes: band aid, established G-tube site. Covers surgical wounds for showers. Provides established ostomy site care (change bag, clean site).
• Holds, positions patient and assists with procedures (i.e. IV insertion, lumbar puncture, chest tube insertion and removal).
• Observes and reports appearance of peripheral IV site.
• Gathers/opens/sets up supplies (including sterile trays) to assist RN/Care Manager and others.
• Gathers tubing for both peripheral IVs and central venous catheters (does not include assembly, spiking bag or priming tubing).
• Observes ice packs, heat lamp. Reports observations to RN.
• Assists with prescribed respiratory therapy activities: oral and nasal bulb suctioning.
• Assists patient to cough and deep breathe (ex: spirometer) and documents.
• Assists with oxygen therapy: sets up tubing and nasal cannula/mask.
• Attaches patients to the pulse oximeter according to policy.
• Assists with prescribed physical therapy activities: (under direction of licensed physical therapist). Performs specific range of motion exercises.
• Uses approved equipment safely and appropriately.
• Transports patients to other departments/areas of the hospital (x-ray, MRI, etc) per hospital policy.: The RN/Care Manager must assess the patient to determine the appropriate level of personnel to transport the patient.
• Completes unit/room orientation; reinforces information give to patient and families.
• Documents all data collected and care provided.
• Accepts delegation from RN/Care Manager.
• Demonstrates time and resource management.
• Demonstrates appropriate use of hospital resources.
• Follows hospital policies and procedures.
• Follows HIPPA guidelines.
• Participates in unit/program/area quality improvement activities.
• Performs general unit tasks (answers phone, call lights, admission/discharge functions, etc.)

Environmental:

• Dusts surface areas on the unit/area.
• Cleans the unit/area refrigerators (conference room and medication room).
• Changes needle boxes.
• Empties non-routine trash and linen bags.
• Assists unit in maintaining Joint Commission readiness (keeping hallways clear, linen carts covered etc).
• Completes unit specific environmental duties as assigned.

Educational:

• Acts as a preceptor of orientation and training of other PCA staff.
• Provides peer input for performance appraisals at the request of the manager or RN.
• Identifies own learning needs, seeks assistance, and attends educational programs as needed.
• Attends mandatory in-services within designation time frame.
• Participates in educational activities offered by the unit/area/division.

Interpersonal:

• Provides age-appropriate care (based on growth and development principles) to patients and families.
• Participates as a member of the patient care team by assisting others.
• Within role expectations, meets the standards of patient care and performs within the policies and procedures of Children's Hospital, Inc. and the Division of Patient Care Services.
• Demonstrates promptness and consistency in meeting scheduled work commitments.

• Enrollment in an ACEN or CCNE accredited nursing program (BSN program preferred)
• Last semester Senior standing with graduation in Spring 2024
• 3.0 GPA or above (unofficial transcript required)
• At least two excellent references from recent clinical instructors

• Must commit to work a minimum of 16 hours/week in the program
• Must be able to attend required monthly workshops and graduation

MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Must be able to see, hear, stand, walk, speak, read, and perform basic math calculations (add, subtract, multiply and divide), and perform manual tasks with or without accommodation, and care for oneself with little or no difficulty.
2. Applies the principles of body mechanics in lifting or moving patients and/or equipment.
3. Must be able to independently lift up to 35 pounds.
4. 4. Must be able to move or reposition patients of any weight or size with the assistance of another person(s) and/or equipment.