AAU Nurse Extern

Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colorado is seeking a Nursing Extern to support patient care on our medical/surgical units. This position is designed for nursing students who have completed a minimum of one medical/surgical rotation in an accredited nursing program and are pending nursing licensure. All nursing students hired into this position are expected to obtain nursing licensure as soon as possible and transition into a new graduate nurse resident position for the next available cohort after licensure. You will work under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse.

Responsibilities

• Respond to patient care needs by answering call lights, assisting patients with hygiene care and nourishment, obtaining vital signs, and communicating constructively, effectively, and timely with members of the care team
• Assist with Foley catheter and nasogastric tube insertions, care, and removal
• Check and document patient vitals, glucose levels, inputs, and outputs; document patient care with the additional signature of a Registered Nurse
• Perform secondary assessments as additions to the primary assessment performed by a Registered Nurse
• Assist with patient and family education related to the patient's disease process, medications, and interventions related to the plan of care
• Assist nurses and physicians within scope and competency
• Adhere to infection prevention standards and contribute to patient experience goals
• Assist with patient transfers, admissions, and discharges as directed and in compliance with the principles of safe patient handling

Required Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in good standing in an accredited School of Nursing program, having completed a minimum of one medical/surgical rotation
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS-HCP) Certification upon hire or obtained within 60 days of hire with prior approval

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of all clinical coursework with the exception of the final/capstone course
• One or more years of previous experience in a healthcare setting

Physical Requirements

• Ongoing need to see and read information, labels, assess patient needs, operate monitors, identify equipment and supplies
• Frequent interactions with patient care providers, patients, and visitors requiring verbal communication and ability to hear and understand spoken information, alarms, needs, and issues quickly and accurately, particularly during emergency situations
• Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to manipulate complex and delicate equipment with precision and accuracy, including frequent computer use and typing for documenting patient care, accessing needed information, and medication preparation
• Expected to lift and utilize full range of movement to transfer patients; will also bend to retrieve, lift, and carry supplies and equipment of varying weights, up to and including heavy items
• Need to walk and assist with transporting and ambulating patients and obtaining and distributing supplies and equipment, including pushing and pulling gurneys and portable equipment; often required to navigate crowded and busy rooms
• May be expected to stand in a stationary position for an extended period of time

Compensation and Benefits

• Hourly rate: $25.00
• Comprehensive benefits package covering programs to foster wellness, including living healthy, happy, secure, connected, and engaged