Nurse Extern - Neuro/Medical-Surgical Unit

Employment Type: Part time – Rotating Shift. Schedule commitment of four 12-hour shifts per month as contingent status.

About the role

An opportunity to join Trinity Health Oakland, a 497-bed community teaching hospital and Level II trauma center in Oakland County. The hospital provides comprehensive care including cardiovascular, stroke, orthopedics, obstetrics, gynecology, and cancer care, and has been a leading provider of advanced medical care for more than 90 years. As part of Trinity Health System, the hospital has received numerous local and national awards for leadership, quality outcomes, and clinical excellence.

The Contingent Nurse Extern functions as a collaborative member of the health care team in partnership with and under the direction and supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN). Utilizing principles of Relationship-based Care, the role performs basic direct patient care to a specific group of patients and actively supports unit-based shared governance council activities.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates principles of Relationship-based Care to cultivate and maintain therapeutic relationships and function as an interdisciplinary care team member.
• Performs basic bedside care and selected procedures under the direction and supervision of an RN.
• Applies progressive knowledge and skills acquired through a formal nursing program to perform increasingly complex care activities.
• Performs activities of daily living (ADLs) appropriate to the patient's condition under RN direction and supervision.
• Provides individualized care consistent with the plan of care under RN direction and supervision.
• Provides basic nutritional support to patients, including bed setup, assistance with feeding, and collection/documentation of intake and calorie count.
• Performs learning opportunities to meet the educational needs of the patient and family under RN direction and supervision.
• Reports changes in patient condition to the RN in a timely manner.
• Assists with the admission process by collecting selected assessment data, applying necessary equipment, labeling patient belongings, and informing patient/family of unit routines.
• Provides patient care that reflects respect for patients' rights, dignity, values, culture preferences, and expressed needs, with attention to comfort, pain relief, and anxiety alleviation.
• Seeks, evaluates, and incorporates feedback for improvement of own performance from Clinical Leader/RN to identify clinical improvement opportunities.
• Participates in self-appraisal and actively engages in unit-based and other committees promoting patient/workplace safety, optimal outcomes, and satisfaction.
• Takes personal accountability to seek out experiences maintaining skills and competence while developing role progression toward that of a Registered Nurse.
• Performs other duties as assigned, which may vary by unit, patient type, and need, including non-clinical duties supporting patient and care team needs.

Requirements

• Currently attending and in good standing at an accredited school of nursing; enrollment in a bachelor's program preferred.
• Must maintain continuous "active" student status.
• Must have successfully completed two (2) clinical nursing rotations, of which one was a Medical/Surgical rotation.
• Current BCLS (Basic Life Support Certification).
• Increased complexity of assignment when providing documentation or relevant courses and demonstrated competencies to complete procedures according to unit guidelines.
• Organizational and time management skills necessary to complete role responsibilities.
• Assigned hours, starting time, or days of work are subject to change based on departmental and/or organizational needs.
• Ability to use and integrate positive communication approaches to meet diverse patient needs, optimize resources, and adapt care processes.
• Excellent customer service orientation skills to deal effectively with various levels of hospital personnel, outside customers, and community groups.

Working Conditions

• Exposure to communicable diseases, blood-borne pathogens, and hazardous substances in the patient care environment.
• Daily physical demands: 25% sitting, 25% standing, 50% walking.
• Occasional (5-10% of work time) squatting, crawling, crouching, kneeling, balancing, frequent bending/stooping, and reaching above shoulder level.
• Use of hands for simple and firm grasping and fine manipulating.
• Frequent lifting and carrying of patients/equipment/other not to exceed 51 pounds; associates will not lift items/patients exceeding 35 pounds from the floor.
• Working weekends and holidays is necessary to meet staffing needs.
• Work in other units and on different shifts may be assigned as necessary to meet staffing requirements.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Full benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, Life Insurance, Short and Long-term Disability starting DAY ONE.
• Nurse Residency Program for all new nurses.
• Retirement savings plan with employer match and contributions.
• Opportunity for growth and advancement throughout Trinity Health.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• DailyPay – option to get paid every day.
• Free parking in proximity to your workplace.

About Trinity Health Hospital System

Trinity Health Oakland is a member of Trinity Health, a leading Catholic health care system based in Pontiac, Michigan. Trinity Health operates in 22 states, employs about 133,000 colleagues, and returns almost $1.1 billion to its communities annually in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs.