Student Nursing Assistant - Student Geriatric Associate; SGA Program - Per Diem at HUP

Position: Student Nursing Assistant - Student Geriatric Associate (SGA) Program - Per Diem at HUP
** Description*
* Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines.

Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work?

This SGA Program cohort is set to begin in late spring/early summer with a 6-month minimum commitment. Candidates must be actively enrolled in a BSN program, with at least one round of clinical rotations completed at the time of hire, and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Apply now!

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* Summary:

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* A Student Geriatric Associate (SGA) is a specialized role for nursing students currently enrolled in a BSN program. SGAs fulfill a critical role on the care team to provide age-sensitive care to vulnerable older adults during their hospital stay. SGAs practice at the direction of the geriatric nurse practitioner team with the overarching goal of preventing delirium and functional decline. SGAs independently deliver evidence-based interventions focused on companionship/recreation, safety, cognitive stimulation, feeding/nutrition support, and ambulation/mobility.

SGAs also assist in bathing, toileting, and continence care. Students must be matriculated in an accredited BSN nursing program having minimally completed the nursing foundations/fundamentals clinical course with a 3.0 GPA overall and in the nursing major. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA overall and in the nursing major to stay in their position as an SGA.

SGAs at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania practice in several clinical areas - General Medicine, Oncology, Heart Failure, and occasionally the Emergency Department.

** Responsibilities:*
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** Giving and Receiving of Shift Report*
* + Reviews written patient assignment and geriatric specific plan of care at the beginning of the shift as prepared by the Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (GNP).

+ Receives verbal report at the beginning of each patient interaction from the registered nurse (RN) regarding the care that is to be delivered to each patient.

+ Gives report when leaving unit, regarding the care that was delivered; any abnormalities that occur during the shift are to be reported as they occur to the RN and GNP.

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** Assisting in Assessment*
* + Identifies the patient per hospital policy before carrying out functions.

+ Assists with data collection for nursing history and physical e.g., nutritional intake, output, functional status and communicates changes to the RN in a timely fashion.

+ Participates in respectful communication with patients, families and co workers.

+ Provides patient and family information to the registered nurse for coordination of care and discharge planning.

+ Observes skin changes and reports discoloration, abrasions, infestations or skin breakdown.

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** Planning for Care Delivery*
* + Assists in setting mutually agreed upon realistic individual patient goals.

+ Integrates the GNPs' directions regarding the patient's plan of care into the care given to the patient.

+ Gives GNP report before the end of the shift regarding the patient's response to the plan of care issues.

+ Reports unusual findings, for example, changes in function, mental status, patient behavior, or patient complaints to the primary RN and GNP.

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** Implementing Interventions*
* + Promotes infection control by using the appropriate hand washing techniques.

+ Follows standard precautions and any other isolation precautions as dictated by the patient's condition.

+ Maintains a safe environment and protects the patient from injury by observing the patient who may be at risk for falls, confusion, disorientation, wandering or suicidal behaviors; follows Constant Observation Policy.

+ Observes or monitors behavior/health state and responses to therapy.

a) Height and Weight.

b) Intake and Output.

c) Bowel and Bladder Function Checks.

d) Pain.

+ Communicates…