Patient Care Assistant - Summer Nurse Extern Program

				Overview:

The Summer Nurse Extern program provides the following: 12-week program providing temporary employment as a Patient Care Assistant; 24 hours of educational activities; an assigned RN preceptor; and an opportunity for future career development. Responsible for performing basic supportive care to specified patients/families under the direction and supervision of an RN/Care Manager/Preceptor. Collects, documents, and reports data to the RN/Care Manager but does not interpret data. Demonstrates competence in providing age-appropriate care and service for pediatric patients from birth to 21 years, and selected adults.

This program runs May 19, 2025 - August 9, 2025. Applications will be accepted October 21-December 13, 2024.

Requirements: 

* Must be a junior standing with graduation in 2026, in an accredited program (ACEN or CCNE) with at least two clinicals completed.
* 3.0 GPA or above (unofficial transcripts required).
* Must be able to attend required orientation, all three workshops and graduation.

Responsibilities:

Clinical 
1. Collects, documents, and reports the following data:  
 a. Vital signs 
Temperature (oral, axillary, rectal); pulse (apical and radial); respirations; blood pressure or mean arterial pressure using the non-invasive automatic blood pressure machine.
 b. Heights, weights, head circumference and abdominal girth.
c.        Oxygen saturation.
d.         In the outpatient setting, completes screening questions, transcribing patient or families responses into the    medical record such as:
i. Allergies
ii. Pain 
iii. Psychosocial
iv. Cultural
v. Nutrition 
2. Provides basic supportive care: 
a. Hygiene: (bath, shampoos, mouth care). 
b. Bed making and keeping  patient room clean and orderly
c. Nutrition:
Oral feedings; gravity tube feedings (G-tube, OG or NG-- placement must be checked by a RN or LPN prior to initiation of feeding using an OG or NG tube).  When using an enteral feeding pump, the Summer Nurse Extern can fill the bag and prime the tubing.  The LPN or RN must set the rate and initiate the feeding. 
Measures intake.  Delivers and collects meal trays and record I & O, calorie counts.
d. Mobility:  Assists with transfer (wheelchair, etc.) Ambulates patients. 
e. Elimination: 
Assists with urinary catheter insertion.
Performs peri-care for patients with an indwelling urinary catheter per hospital policy.
Empties catheter bag. 
 Measures output (from catheter bag or collection device). 
 Empties urine or stool.  
f. Provides basic skin care and applies NCH approved over the counter skin products that provide a protective barrier to prevent skin breakdown. 
g. Repositions patients and documents per NCH Skin Risk Protocol.
h. Performs  constant attendant responsibilities for patients when other alternatives are unavailable.
i. Cares for patients with restraints and documents observations per policy.
j. Promotes general patient safety. 
k. Provides post mortem care. 
 
3. Performs the following procedures: 
b. Specimen collection: (urine for urinalysis and culture, stool for stool studies, sputum for culture, gastric drainage, blood by capillary puncture).   
c. Specimen testing per unit policy.
d. Cast/traction/pin care.  
e. Simple (clean/non-sterile) dressing changes: band aid, established G-tube site. Covers surgical wounds for shower
f. Provides established ostomy site care (change bag, clean site). 
g. Holds, positions patient and assists with procedures (examples: IV insertion, lumbar puncture, chest tube insertion and removal). 
h. Observes and reports appearance of peripheral IV site. 
i. Gathers/opens/sets up supplies (including sterile trays) to assist RN/Care Manager and others.
j. Gathers tubing for both peripheral IVs and central venous catheters (does not include assembly, spiking bag or priming tubing).
k. Observes heat or cold applications: for example heating/cooling blanket, ice packs, heat lamp.  Reports observations to RN.
l. Assists with prescribed respiratory therapy activities:  oral and nasal bulb suctioning.
m. Assists patient to cough and deep breathe (ex: spirometer) and documents.
n. Assists with oxygen therapy:  sets up tubing and nasal cannula/mask.
o. Attaches patients to the pulse oximeter according to policy.
p. Assists with prescribed physical therapy activities: (under direction of licensed physical therapist).  Performs specific range of motion exercises.
q. Uses approved equipment safely and appropriately.
r. Transports patients to other departments/areas of the hospital (x-ray, MRI, etc) per hospital policy.:  The RN/Care Manager must assess the patient to determine the appropriate level of personnel to transport the patient.
 
4. Completes unit/room orientation; reinforces information give to patient and families.
 
5. Documents all data collected and care provided.
 
6. Accepts delegation from RN/Care Manager.
 
7. Demonstrates time and resource management.  
8. Demonstrates appropriate use of hospital resources:
 
a. Incidental personal use of NCH information systems (including the telephone) is permissible so long as the usage does not interfere with job performance, does not deny other users access to the system resources, does not incur significant costs, and is allowed by the department head or manager.
 
b. Users may not use computing resources for their own personal or financial gain.  Viewing materials that are obscene, objectionable or that put NCH at undue risk is prohibited unless it is a documented part of the user's duties and approved by the manager or department head.
 
9. Follows hospital policies and procedures.
 
10. Follows HIPPA guidelines. 
 
11. Participates in unit/program/area quality improvement activities. 
 
12. Performs general unit tasks (answers phone, call lights, admission/discharge functions, etc.)
 
Environmental
 
1. Dusts surface areas on the unit/area. 
2. Cleans the unit/area refrigerators (conference room and medication room). 
3. Changes needle boxes. 
4. Empties non-routine trash and linen bags.
5. Assists unit in maintaining Joint Commission readiness (keeping hallways clear, linen carts covered etc).
6. Completes unit specific environmental duties as assigned.
 
Educational:
 
1. Acts as a preceptor of orientation and training of other PCA staff. 
2. Provides peer input for performance appraisals at the request of the manager or RN.
3. Identifies own learning needs, seeks assistance and attends educational programs as needed.
4. Attends annual/mandatory in-services within designation time frame. 
5. Participates in educational activities offered by the unit/area/division. 
 
Interpersonal:
 
1. Provides age-appropriate care (based on growth and development principles) to patients and families. 
2. Participates as a member of the patient care team by assisting others. 
3. Participates in unit conferences as requested. 
4. Within role expectations, meets the standards of patient care and performs within the policies and procedures of Children's Hospital, Inc. and the Division of Patient Care Services. 
5. Demonstrates promptness and consistency in meeting scheduled work commitments. 

Qualifications:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

1. High school graduate or equivalent GED.

2. Must be enrolled in accredited nursing program and successfully completed two clinical rotations.

3. Good written and verbal communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

4. Basic computer skills i.e. navigation, use of mouse, keyboard.

5. Completion of orientation classes offered by Nationwide Children's Hospital Department of Professional Development and the unit/area.

6. Must demonstrate competence as defined in the Patient Care Assistant responsibilities/skills checklist in providing age appropriate care and services to pediatric patients of all ages and selected adult patients.

7. Current CPR (BLS for Healthcare Provider required).

MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Must be able to see, hear, stand, walk, speak, read, and
			

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