Student Professional Nurse

Location: Houston

At Houston Methodist, the Student Professional Nurse (SPN) position is part of the Methodist Advancement into Professional Practice (MAPP) program which provides students with opportunities to follow a nursing preceptor in support of building clinical competency and confidence in transition from student role to new graduate nurse. This position is accountable and responsible for nursing care administered under the direction of a Registered Nurse.

This position demonstrates clinical knowledge and skills to carry out delegated tasks for age-specific populations described in the unit(s) scope of service. The SPN position demonstrates appropriate communication skills and interpersonal relationships. This position practices Patient Family Centered Care in concert with Houston Methodist ICARE values:
Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.

FLSA STATUS

Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

* High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

* Enrolled in a school of nursing program maintaining a minimum 3.2 GPA

EXPERIENCE

* Successfully completed at least one clinical rotation

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required

* BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

* Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

* Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

* Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

* Performs basic patient care activities of daily living (ADL's) within unit specific defined limits and job scope, such as assistance with patient elimination, hygiene, comfort, safety, nutrition, and progress activity

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

* Promotes a positive work environment that actively assists interprofessional care team to achieve optimal department results. Makes contributions to the work effort as a whole, by leading and initiating problem resolution within the work unit. Facilitates teamwork by anticipating the need for assistance and responding positively to requests for assistance.

* Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional health care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner. Teaches others to critically think by verbally expressing rationale for decisions and follows up consistently. Facilitates open, professional, communication to achieve mutual understanding, role modeling by example.

* Initiates contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee satisfaction on unit-based scorecard, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

* Participates in nursing care conferences and discharge planning with the patient, family and other members of the health care team. Organizes the work flow, problem-solves basic and routine matters, and manages multiple ongoing priorities, seeking guidance and assistance from preceptor, by utilizing resource persons, i.e. licensed nurse, or management, policy and procedure manuals, or other references on standards of care

* Delivers care in a kind, courteous and honest manner. Identifies and communicates patient problems/needs and nursing interventions performed to the Registered Nurse assigned. Reinforces health care information/teaching provided by the Registered Nurse to the patient and family.

* Role models the patient and family-centered care standards and provides direct patient care under the direction of a registered nurse. Responds to the call light system, contacting nursing personnel as appropriate, and follows through with meeting patient needs. Uses peer-to-peer accountability, towards improving department score for patient satisfaction on unit-based scorecard, i.e. bedside shift handoff/report.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

* Performs direct patient care, treatments and procedures in accordance with established policies and standards of the hospital as outlined in the plan of care. Legally documents, where applicable, delegated observations and interventions, care administered in accordance with established policies and procedures.

* Accurately reports observations, conditions and problems of patients to licensed personnel to achieve desired patient outcomes. Acts as patient advocate by preserving the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind.

* Rounds to ensure patient needs are met (four P's). Supports initiatives to prevent conditions such as pressure…