We currently have a Temporary Part-time opportunity for Clinical Externs in Nursing Student and/or Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN) at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Reports to: Patient Care Manager

JOB SUMMARY:

The Clinical Extern will be working in the capacity of an unregulated health care provider. Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs), Nursing students, Occupational Therapy students, Physiotherapy students, and Paramedic students are welcome!

Clinical Externs have access to dedicated Extern Mentor Coordinators who provide comprehensive orientation, ongoing education and support. Each applicant’s area of work interest will be considered for alignment to a Care Program. Clinical Externs work in collaboration with a unit nursing team under direct and/or indirect supervision of an appointed regulated healthcare professional (RHP). Eligible Clinical Externs-Nursing students and Internationally Educated Nurses- may perform pre-identified Controlled Acts authorized to nursing within the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) of Ontario delegated to them under the supervision of a RN or RPN who is authorized to perform them.

Externs will be hired on contract, during which the Extern will work part time hours to a maximum of full-time hours (37.5 hours per week). The scheduling of these hours will be determined based on unit needs and may include day/evening/night and weekend shifts.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Practices under the direct and/or indirect supervision of the Registered Nurse, Registered Practical Nurse, or regulated health professional (RHP) assigned to them on the unit and in a manner consistent with Sunnybrook policies standards, while taking into account CNO guidance for unregulated care providers

• Works with the supervising RHP to ensure they have the knowledge, skill and judgment needed to perform all actions/duties, under direct or indirect supervision such as patient assessments, measuring vital signs, assisting with ambulation and activities of daily living (toileting, bathing, feeding), completing documentation of care provided, and other care activities necessary in meeting the patient’s personal needs and comfort.

• Provides assistance with lifting, turning, transferring, transporting and ambulating as per the hospital policy.

• Provides measures to ensure skin integrity and reduce pressure injuries.

• Assists with comfort measures and patient safety by ensuring the environment is clean and tidy and free of hazards.

• Other duties may include setting up patient rooms to receive patients, assist with admissions, transfers and discharges, intentional-rounding, responding to call bells, and performing safety checks.

• Requests assistance with assigned duties whenever in need

• Practices all procedures in keeping with infection control policies and the use of universal precautions.

• Work is moderately heavy involving lifting, considerable walking, and standing, bending, pushing and pulling of equipment.

• Participates as a team member.

• Demonstrates excellent problem-solving, decision making and critical thinking skills

• Demonstrates excellent organizational and time-management skills

• Encourages patients and provides compassionate person-centred care.

• Other basic skills as per unit protocol determined by the Patient Care Manager/Advanced Practice Nurse/Clinical Educator.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Nursing Students

• enrolled in their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of an accredited baccalaureate or diploma nursing program

IENs who have initiated registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), have received a CNO letter of direction and meet one of the following:

• are in any year of study in a CNO approved program, such as a BScN-IEN program, PN-IEN program, or

• are completing a micro-credential plan with a curriculum to meet the CNO requirements for registration (e.g. Standards of Practice for nursing, Entry-to-Practice Competencies, Evidence of Safe Practice, Evidence of English Language Proficiency) or,

• have completed their educational requirements (e.g. BScN-IEN/PN-IEN program, or micro-credentialing) and are waiting to write their registration exam

Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy Students

• Enrolled in an accredited Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy program

Paramedic Students

• Enrolled in their 2nd year (or equivalent for compressed programs) of an approved paramedic program

General requirements

• Demonstrated evidence of excellent academic standing

• Current certificate in Basic Cardiac Life Support required

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills Top of Form

• Successful completion of a recent clinical placement

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Patient Care:

The Clinical Extern

• Practices under the direct and/or indirect supervision of the Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse assigned to them on the unit and in a manner consistent with Sunnybrook policies standards, while taking into account CNO guidance for unregulated care providers

• Works with unit nurses to ensure that they have the knowledge, skills and judgment needed to perform all actions/duties.

• Performs vital signs, documentation of oral/caloric intake, fluid balance, etc.

• Assists patient with personal hygiene (bathing, dressing, shaving and shampooing of hair)

• Provides assistance with bed making, lifting, turning, transferring, transporting and ambulating as per the hospital policy.

• Provides measures to ensure skin integrity and reduce pressure injuries.

• May participate in a structured process supporting patient safety, completing regular rounding or “safety checks” and applying standard interventions to support safety best practices (i.e. Eyes On Safety).

• Duties may include setting up patient rooms to receive admitted, transferred and post-operative patients. Assist with admissions, transfers and discharges, performing pre-established range of motion exercises (active and passive), toileting, emptying Foley bags, assist with meal set up and feeding patients, freshen bedside water containers, ambulating patients and assisting with lifts/transfers, respond to call bells, and perform safety checks

• Requests assistance with assigned duties whenever in need

• Demonstrates excellent problem-solving, decision making and critical thinking skills

• Demonstrates excellent organizational and time-management skills

• Flexible and adaptable regarding assignment locations

• Practices all procedures in keeping with infection control policies and the use of universal precautions.

• Work is moderately heavy involving lifting, considerable walking, and standing, bending, pushing and pulling of equipment.

• Participates as a team member.

• Other basic skills as per unit protocol determined by the Patient Care Manager/Advanced Practice Nurse.

Limitations:

The Clinical Extern may not

• Initiate the 5 Controlled Acts authorized to nursing within the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) of Ontario. They may perform identified controlled acts in the clinical extern delegation, if delegated and supervised by a nurse. The nurse remains responsible for the ongoing assessment of the patient’s needs, plan of care and evaluation of health status.

• Administer any IV, epidural, narcotic and controlled drugs or potentially highly toxic drugs.

  • The extern may administer oral medications under the supervision of the nurse. The act of administering a medication may require a controlled act to be performed, which would require delegation by the nurse if deemed appropriate.

• Act as a witness, under any circumstances, for any purpose

• Carry or be responsible for narcotic keys

• Be in charge of the unit or any patient under any circumstances

• Provide a second signature/check for any medication, medication wastage, or blood product

• Take verbal or telephone orders

Communication:

The Clinical Extern

• Uses effective communication and interpersonal skills to provide ongoing support and care for diverse patients and their families

• Communicates, integrates and functions as a member of the nursing and interprofessional team in order to provide effective and safe care.

• Responsible for on-going communication with the assigned Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse

• Documents care given on the appropriate forms, and using appropriate signage (e.g. name, clinical extern).

• Participates in the completion of relevant reports/forms as required by hospital policy.

• Reports to work on all shifts assigned, or ensures that the unit is notified of absence prior to the start of the shift

• Participates as a member of the health care team and fosters relationships/partnerships with other departments within the hospital (e.g. Lab, portering, volunteers, pharmacy, etc).

Professional Responsibilities:

The Clinical Extern

• Maintains dignity and self-esteem of patients in delivery of care.

• Practices patient confidentiality.

• Respects patient privacy.

• Maintains professional behaviour and communication that meets the standards as outlined by standards of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

• Practices behaviors consistent with the mission, vision and values of Sunnybrook.

Required Uniform and Dress Code:

The Clinical Extern

• Maintains a professional accountability according to Sunnybrook’s Dress Code and Respect in the Workplace policies
• May use their discretion in choosing a style of scrubs or standard issue uniform in the area that they work, but jeans, sweat pants, sweatshirts, shirts with logos or brand names, tights and leggings are not acceptable.
• A Sunnybrook Identification Badge must be worn at all times.
• Jewelry such as rings or wedding bands and watches must be removed.
• Fingernails are to be short, clean and free of colored nail polish. Artificial nails or nail extensions (gel, acrylic etc) tips of any kind are not allowed.