Nurse Apprentice

About the Role

Responsible for serving on the patient care team for an assigned area, providing direct patient care as an unlicensed professional under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. This role incorporates the functions of a certified nursing assistant (CNA), patient care technician (PCT), medication aide, and other patient care duties dependent on the work area and patient populations assigned.

Responsibilities

• Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs, and consistently demonstrates core values.
• Recognizes and reacts to emergency procedures per role and policies/procedures.
• Administers medications according to policy under the supervision and direction of a licensed nurse.
• Provides additional patient care under the direction of the licensed nurse once competencies are completed (e.g., remove IV, Foley catheter).
• Answers telephones and assigned communication devices, relaying information as necessary; refers all physician telephone orders to a licensed professional.
• Assists in collecting specific information from patients and contributes to admission, transfer, and dismissal processes when delegated by a licensed nurse, ensuring timely reporting and recording in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
• Assists with patient care consistent with standards of care and clinical priorities determined by the licensed nurse, considering unit policies, demonstrated competencies, risk management, and infection control practices.
• Performs and documents routine direct nursing care tasks according to identified age-specific needs, including obtaining and recording vitals, height, weight, and bedside glucose results.
• Performs Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) for assigned patients and documents them in the EMR.
• Labels and secures patient care belongings, ensuring the patient room is safe and uncluttered.
• Distributes patient meals/water and assists with feeding as needed; assists with ambulation, lifting, and positioning according to procedure, including the use of patient lift devices and proper body mechanics.
• Assists with transporting patients, including during transfer and/or dismissal.
• Assists patients with elimination needs, measures/records bodily elimination in the medical record, and bathes patients as directed by the licensed nurse.
• Participates in Hourly Patient Rounds to proactively address patient needs; provides close observation or one-to-one care to prevent wandering or potential injury.
• Collects, accurately labels, and transports specimens to the lab as required.
• Assists with dressing changes, applying splints, setting up suturing and procedures, and wound care on closed wounds as directed by a licensed nurse.
• Cleans, stocks, and cares for supplies and equipment in the assigned work area.
• Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations.
• Participates in meetings, committees, and department projects as assigned.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Active Nebraska Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credential required.
• Current listing on the DHHS Medication Aide Registry required.
• Current enrollment and good standing in an accredited nursing program (e.g., Baccalaureate Nursing Program or RN Associate Degree program) required.
• Must have successfully completed pharmacology coursework required for nursing degree; official transcripts must be supplied prior to the start date.
• Basic Life Support (CPR) certification required (American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or Military Training Network).

Skills

• Maintains clinical competency as required for the unit of assignment, including population-specific competencies, and participates in annual skill competency verification.
• Knowledge of general medication administration and hospital processes/procedures.
• Knowledge of computer equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing patient needs, including acute, chronic, and complex disease processes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with healthcare team members and diverse populations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of patient information.
• Ability to practice proper body mechanics to ensure personal and patient safety.
• Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Physical Requirements

Characterized as medium work requiring exertion of 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or a greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.