Externs must work a minimum of 32 hours a week, during those hours there will be advanced psychiatric nursing training.
Orientation is held from 7am-3:30pm program runs from 05/29/2025-8/1/2025. Physicals has to be completed 2 weeks prior to start date. 

Externs will be rotated through various psychiatric units including forensics, voluntary and involuntary, pediatrics (age level 5-17), addiction units.

All externs must have successfully completed fundamentals in nursing in order to qualify as well as American Heart Association BLS certification.

Job Duties

Completes patient rounding every hour, asking patient if everything is ok and inquiring if anything can be done for him/her. Introduces him/herself, including title and stating reason for visit upon each communication with patient. Assist with orientation of new PCPs as requested. Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards. Provides direct patient care, including all vital signs, pulse oximetry, EKG, Phlebotomy, undressing patient, placing cardiac monitor and assisting with ADL. Performs patient observations: Safety and Constant/one to one observation of selected patients. Provides minor treatments such as directed- dressings, application of ace bandages, applications of slings and ice/hot packs. Provides post-mortem care. Sets up, stocks and maintains examining rooms, including checking expirations dates of all supplies. Inventories all patient belongings/valuables and places in appropriate storage areas

Communication skills

Professional, courteous, and respectful attitude in dealing with patients, families, and extended members of the community
Use of AIDET (acknowledge, introduction, duration, explanation, time)
Active Listening: Paying full attention to what patients say, understanding their message,
Nonverbal Communication: Using body language, facial expressions, and eye contact to convey messages.
Empathy: Understanding and connecting with patients and staff to build stronger connections.
Open-Mindedness: non-judgmental interactions with patients
Feedback: receptive towards constructive feedback for performance improvement
Respect: Valuing others' opinions and showing consideration in conversations.
Adaptability: Adjusting communication style to suit different audiences and situations.

Clinical tasks
Taking vital signs: Measuring blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and respiratory rate
Assisting with daily activities: Helping patients with bathing, dressing, eating, and using the bathroom, dressing, and undressing patients
Patient mobility: Assisting patients with moving, turning, or repositioning in bed
Medical procedures: Assisting with wound care, catheter care, and other basic medical tasks
Monitoring patients: Observing patients for signs of illness or infection and reporting changes to the nursing staff. Performs patient observations: Safety and constant/one-to-one observation of selected patients.
Provides minor treatments as directed: dressings, application of ace bandages, applications of slings, and ice/hot packs.
Provides postmortem care
Collecting patient information: Recording height, weight, and medical history
Transporting patients: Moving patients to different areas within the facility
Maintaining patient records: Updating electronic health records and charts
Providing CPR in emergency situations
Providing emotional support: Offering comfort and reassurance to patients and their families
Patient rounding as assigned and engaging with patients during rounding
Inventories all patient belongings/valuables and place them in appropriate storage areas

Clerical tasks
Answering phone calls and taking messages.
Scheduling appointments and managing calendars.
Filing documents and maintaining records.
Data entry and updating databases.
Handling mail and email correspondence.
Operating office machines like photocopiers, scanners, and fax machines.
Bookkeeping and basic financial transactions.
Preparing reports and documents.
Customer service tasks, such as greeting visitors, escorting them to their destination
Checking expiration dates of supplies

Technical tasks
Computer documentation
Operating of medical equipment: blood pressure machine, thermometer, pulse oximetry
Location of equipment (crash cart, suction machine, tube feeding machine, oxygen tank,…)
program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.

Other duties as assigned by the Registered Nurse

Other Duties

Assists, escorts, and transports patients. Chaperone patients’ examinations. Obtains and provides nourishment for patients. Exhibits a professional, courteous, and respectful attitude in dealing with patients, families and significant others. Displays courtesy, tact and patience during interactions with all members of the hospital staff and extended community. May be required to perform other duties as assigned. Assisting with patient searches.

Position Qualifications

Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, or EMT training preferred. American Heart Association BLS Certification Required. EKG Certification Required/Phlebotomy Certification Required.

Education

Nursing Student

Job Setting/Physical Demands

Must be able to lift and/push 50lbs or more. Ability to plan and utilize time management skills. Computer literate. Good organizational skills. Good oral and written communication skills. Good interpersonal skills. Speaks, reads, and writes English to the extent requires by the position.