Nurse Extern

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network; Center Valley (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network in Center Valley, PA, invites nursing students to participate in a 10-week Nurse Extern summer program. Candidates must have completed at least one medical-surgical nursing course and hold a current CPR certification (BLS for Healthcare Provider).

Participants will rotate between Rehab Hospital Center Valley, Inpatient Pediatrics, and LTACH, gaining hands-on experience under RN supervision and attending all classroom sessions.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in an accredited BSN program and have completed at least one medical-surgical nursing course.
• Current CPR certification (BLS for Healthcare Provider) required.
• Willing to rotate between Rehab Hospital Center Valley, inpatient pediatrics and LTACH.

Responsibilities

• Assist nursing staff under RN supervision during the 10-week extern program.
• Support patient data collection, vitals, and routine assessments.
• Participate in rounds and safety trainings; observe but do not perform invasive tasks.
• Document observations and interventions in patient records with RN oversight.
• Support patient mobility, hygiene, nutrition, and basic daily activities.
• Assist with medication reminders and care coordination with the care team.

Skills

Nursing student (BSN program)

CPR/BLS certification

Education

High School Diploma

Enrolled in BSN program

Job description

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation · Rehab Hospital - Center Valley

Center Valley , PA

*Candidates must be a nursing student who is currently enrolled in a BSN program

The next 10-week program runs June 7, 2027 through August 20, 2027

Location: Rehab Hospital - Center Valley + Inpatient Pediatrics + LTACH (You will rotate between these locations)

JOB SUMMARY

The Nurse Extern is a participant in a 10 week summer program for nursing students. They must have completed a minimum of 1 medical surgical clinical nursing course in an accredited school of nursing and must have current CPR certification (BLS for Healthcare Provider with the American Heart Association).The nurse extern program is designed to provide the nursing student with an opportunity to strengthen and reinforce his or her knowledge and skill in the practice of nursing under the direct supervision of a registered nurse preceptor and ease the transition of the realities of the work world. The nurse extern will follow his or her preceptor’s work schedule and will assist with the care for that nurse’s patients. All nurse externs will be required to attend or view all classroom presentations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PATIENT / CUSTOMER

Essential Accountabilities Assessment:

Identifies the patient per hospital policy before carrying out functions.

Assists with data collection for nursing history and physical.

Participates in therapeutic communication.

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

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

Planning

Participates with patient/family and the healthcare team in decisions related to the care plan of the patient.

Assists in setting mutually agreed upon realistic individual patient goals.

Receives report form the RN on the patient’s plan of care.

Gives on coming shift handoff report under direct supervision of the RN

Intervention

Promotes infection control.

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. Supports the observer in one to one/constant observation situation.

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

Temperature, Pulse, Respiration

Blood Pressure

Neurological Checks

Vascular Checks

Pain Assessment/Level of Sedation

Height and Weight

Intake and Output

Communicates pertinent observations to appropriate members of the health care team under the direct supervision of the RN.

Participates in multidisciplinary rounds on the patient care unit.

Participates in staff meetings.

Works in collaboration with all members of the healthcare team.

Reports findings to nurse concerning the patient and or family which may impact patient care.

Performs bed bath, tub bath, shower.

Participates in the prevention and treatment of skin breakdown.

Assists patient with activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, eating, feeding, range of motion, ambulating, transferring.

Applies current accepted methods of heat and cold therapy.

Provides for the patient’s oral dietary needs using currently accepted methods.

Provides for the elimination needs by giving a bed pan, urinal or implementing he bowel program under the direction of the nurse.

Inserts urinary catheter under direct supervision of the RN.

Removes urinary catheter under direct supervision of the RN

Assists with colostomy irrigations under the direct supervision of the RN.

Administers cleansing enemas as ordered under direct supervision of the RN.

Assists with suctioning under direct supervision of RN.

Performs post mortem care under direct supervision of the RN.

Assists the physician to perform physical exams.

Assists with oxygen therapy only and does not regulate the flow of oxygen.

Encourage the use of the pulmonary toilet by using the incentive spirometer, coughing, turning and deep breathing.

Assists with Hoyer/ceiling lifts.

Reinforces health care instruction to patients according to the directions of the nurse.

Displays competence in using the following equipment:

Pulse oximeter

Bladder scanner

Glucometer

Documentation

Documents assessment data, interventions and patient outcome results on patient documents.

Documents using complete signature, status “nurse extern,” date and time on all charted entries.

All admission assessments and head-to-toe assessments need to be validated with a signature of the RN preceptor.

Evaluation

Seeks and utilizes feedback regarding nursing care to determine necessary changes in the care plan.

PATIENT/ EMPLOYEE SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Participates in Entity and Department wide initiatives for Patient /Employee safety.

Demonstrates an awareness of patient/employee safety when carrying out daily responsibilities of their position.

Patient Care Providers

Participates in Entity and Department wide initiatives for

Demonstrates an awareness of patient/employee safety when carrying out daily responsibilities of their position.

Validation of annual competencies required for the position.

Identifies the patient per policy i.e. uses two unique identifiers.

Aware of the Safe Medical Devise Act.

Aware of the Material Safety Data Sheet.

Carries out fire and safety regulation.

Identifies where the oxygen safety valve is located.

Makes occupied or unoccupied bed.

Cleans and restocks equipment as needed.

Observes radiation precautions.

Demonstrates proper body mechanics when moving and lifting.

Alerts the nurse to the sounding of alarms. Does not change settings or rates on equipment.

Observes HIPAA regulations.

Knows limits of responsibilities and seeks guidance as appropriate.

Observes chemotherapy precautions.

Identifies emergency equipment on the unit.

Items not to be Performed

Intravenous therapy

Medication Administration

Taking of Verbal Orders

Central Line Care/Procedure

Chemotherapy Administration

Blood Administration

Items to be performed by the nurse extern under the directsupervision of a RN (RN is present in the room as care is delivered

Urinary Catheter Insertion

Enteral Feedings

Simple Dressing Changes

Discontinuing an Intravenous Line

Venipuncture under the direct supervision of the RN

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

High School Diploma required

Must be registered in an accredited school of nursing with completion of 1 medical surgical clinical nursing course required

Work Experience

1 medical surgical clinical rotation is required.

Licenses / Certifications

Basic Life Support / CPR, as a healthcare provider, per the American Heart Association required

GOOD SHEPHERD'S UNIVERSAL FLU PROGRAM

As a health-care provider, we have a professional and ethical obligation to protect our patients and residents from developing further complications.

GOOD SHEPHERD'S UNIVERSAL FLU PROGRAM

To protect our patients and residents, Good Shepherd requires influenza (flu) vaccinations for all Associates, licensed independent practitioners, contracted, agency and temporary employees, students and volunteers.

***Important Note: Good Shepherd & GSPP Rehabilitation are drug free and tobacco free work environments. As a result, candidates selected for employment may be subject to a drug screen test.***

Good Shepherd is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by State or Federal law.