Student Nurse Scholar - Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center Enhanced Recovery After Surgery PRN

Overview

The Integrated Enhanced Recovery (ERAS) GI Center of Excellence is composed of a team of physicians, fellows, nurse practitioners and nurses who provide specialized care to patients with diseases of the liver, biliary tract, pancreas and GI tract. As an academic center of excellence in ERAS, opportunities exist to collaborate with institutions nationally and internationally to improve patient outcomes. The nursing department is a specialized unit caring for patients with varying levels of acuity from progressive care, telemetry and medical surgical status. Since these patients will be cared for throughout the entirety of their hospital stay on one-unit, individualized care is integrated into daily work. Progressive care unit experience not required. 11T will be a beacon for clinical advancement and career growth in the field of nursing.

Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) is a research-based intensive approach to improving patient outcomes by integrating pathways and guidelines with patient care. Driving compliance, research, quality and publication, this method engages the entire team to align work tailored to improve the patient’s outcome, operational excellence of the organization and experience of the team. 

Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) is the flagship hospital of Atrium Health, which is distinguished throughout the Southeastern United States for its excellent patient care and medical expertise.

CMC operates at 2 locations: CMC and Atrium Health Mercy. These locations are 1.3 miles apart.

From modest beginnings in 1943, we have evolved into the largest hospital in the region and a world-class facility that offers a full range of services to the Charlotte community and beyond, with more than 1,100 physicians and providers specializing in all areas of medicine.

CMC serves as the region’s only Level 1 trauma center and is an approved transplant center for heart, kidney, pancreas and liver. We also serve as one of North Carolina’s 5 Academic Medical Center Teaching Hospitals, providing residency training for more than 200 physicians in 15 specialties and serve as a regional campus for Wake Forest University School of Medicine, based in Winston-Salem, NC.

Job Summary

The Student Nurse Scholar is a participant in the Nurse Scholar Program and assists in providing patient care under the direct supervision of the licensed nurse. Assists in maintaining a clean, safe patient environment, and performs job responsibilities in a safe manner according to policy and procedure. Promotes a culture of excellence. Maintains position competencies as appropriate to the needs of the patient population served. 

Essential Functions

• Performs vital signs and tasks, documents. Reports pertinent data, changes in patient conditions, and abnormal findings to the licensed nurse in a timely manner
• Performs bedside shift report and/or handoff communication
• Assists with quality improvement activities
• Performs patient safety observation duties such as ongoing monitoring and records behaviors of at-risk patients
• Assists patients with activities of daily living including personal hygiene care, oral care, toileting, ambulation, and eating
• Assists patients with mobility using appropriate safety measures. Transfer, position, turn, and lift patients using proper techniques, body mechanics, and equipment.
• Assists patients with dietary needs including setting up a food tray, feeding, and assisting with ordering or replacing a food tray or food item
• Measure, calculate, and record patient's intake and output, including meal percentages
• Assists in admission and transfer process by preparing patient room, gathering patient belongings, and orienting patient and family to new environment
• Maintains patient environment, equipment, and supplies in a clean and orderly condition
• Assists with clerical work including answering phones and call bells, entering data, and maintaining medical records
• Performs inventory checks, per shift and restocks or communicates the need to reorder as indicated
• Within scope, performs technical tasks, advanced skill sets, and other duties as assigned with appropriate training and competency
• Performs duties as outlined in the scope of Nurse Aide I (per North Carolina Board of Nursing Nurse Aide I Tasks List).

Physical Requirements

Work requires walking, standing, sitting, lifting, reaching, bending, stretching, stooping, pushing, and pulling. Must be able to lift and support the weight of 35 pounds in handling patients, medical equipment, and supplies. Must speak and understand English in good understandable terms. Must have manual and finger dexterity.

Education, Experience and Certifications

High School Diploma or GED required. Currently in good standing in a Registered Nurse academic program. Minimum completion of first semester of Registered Nurse academic program preferred. Current listing with the NC Department of Health and Human Services Nurse Aide I Registry prior to start date required. BLS required per policy guidelines.