Nurse Extern, PRN Night

Kindred Hospital Melbourne seeks a Nurse Extern to provide basic nursing care support on a PRN night shift basis. This position is designed for students currently enrolled and accepted into an LPN/LVN, ADN, or BSN nursing program. You will work under the direction and supervision of the registered nurse in charge, gaining practical clinical experience while completing your nursing education. Kindred Hospital Melbourne is a 58-bed facility offering long-term acute care (LTAC) and acute rehabilitation services. The hospital provides 24-hour clinical care seven days a week to patients recovering from acute injuries, impairments, or illnesses. Located in Melbourne, Florida, near NASA Boulevard and the Indian River, the facility serves patients requiring extended recovery periods.

Responsibilities

• Perform basic medical tasks including measuring and recording vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, weight, blood pressure) and intake-output
• Turn, move, and reposition patients as necessary for comfort or medical care
• Answer patient call lights, anticipate patient needs, and make rounds of assigned patients
• Assist with patient admissions, discharges, and transfers
• Transport patients to various departments for ordered tests and procedures
• Provide patient care that meets psychosocial and physical needs within the scope of practice for a certified nursing assistant or nursing assistant
• Perform positioning, lifting, and turning of patients; apply and utilize special equipment
• Assist patients with bedpan, commode, and ambulation
• Provide morning care including bed baths, showers, oral hygiene, hair combing, back care, dressing patients, and changing bed linens
• Provide evening care including hand and face washing, oral hygiene, back rubs, perineal care, and refreshing linens
• Prepare patients for meals, serve and remove food trays, and assist with or feed patients as necessary
• Practice sterile techniques and infection control procedures
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation that meets current standards and policies
• Communicate clearly and concisely with patients, physicians, family members, and coworkers in a manner consistent with customer service focus and positive language principles
• Observe patients' mental and physical conditions and report any changes to supervising nursing staff
• Report patient complaints of pain to supervising nursing staff
• Interact professionally with patients and families, treating them with respect and dignity while identifying and addressing psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious or spiritual needs
• Perform other reasonably related job duties as assigned or requested within scope of practice
• Keep current with principles, practices, regulations, and standards that apply to healthcare

Clinical Setting

Kindred Hospital Melbourne operates as a 58-bed facility with 47 long-term acute care (LTAC) hospital beds and an 11-bed Acute Rehabilitation Unit (ARU). The facility provides extended recovery care for patients with complex medical needs.

Schedule

This is a PRN (as-needed) night shift position.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or equivalent
• Currently enrolled and accepted into an LPN/LVN, ADN, or BSN nursing program
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required within 90 days of hire or transfer
• Blood Glucose Monitoring Training Program certification required within 90 days of hire
• Temporary Nurse Practice Permit or Graduate Nursing Permit required upon graduation (based on state regulations)
• Expected to complete and pass nursing boards within 90 days of nursing program graduation
• Certain certifications may be required based on state location or other state regulatory bodies

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to maintain high awareness of patient satisfaction and teamwork
• Attention to detail
• Ability to respond to and cope with emergency situations professionally and calmly
• Adaptability to performing well under pressure in a stressful environment and taking appropriate action
• Flexibility and ability to work as needed for appropriate departmental coverage
• Basic computer knowledge and ability to become proficient in Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems
• Critical thinking skills, decisive judgment, and ability to work with minimal supervision
• Proficient time management skills
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English necessary to perform essential job functions, especially regarding activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Willingness to participate in nursing learning opportunities that will benefit your tenure in nursing school

Additional Information

Clinical skills that may or may not be performed or allowed are determined on a state-by-state basis by the Board of Nursing and will be identified on a local facility skills competency checklist before and after nursing program degree graduation. Requirements will include successful completion of an orientation checklist and skills, credentials, and competency requirements specific to your area of work.