Nurse Extern - Summer Vail, Colorado

Vail Health has become the world’s most advanced mountain healthcare system. Vail Health consists of an updated 520,000-square-foot, 56-bed hospital. This state-of-the-art facility provides exceptional care to all of our patients, with the most beautiful views in the area, located centrally in Vail.

We are seeking dedicated and passionate nursing students to join our healthcare team in the picturesque town of Vail, Colorado as a Summer Nurse Extern. As a Summer Nurse Extern, you will have the opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in one of 6 inpatient units:
Emergency Department, Pre‑op/PACU (Main Hospital or Surgery Center), Family Birth Center, Patient Care Unit/Intensive Care Unit and Inpatient Behavioral Health. Learn alongside expert RNs in a dynamic healthcare environment while enjoying the stunning natural surroundings of Vail. This temporary position is designed to provide nursing students with valuable insights into the field and enhance their clinical skills during the summer season.

The Nurse Extern functions as a collaborative member of the health care team in partnership with and under the direction and supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN). Promotes values of compassion, integrity, stewardship, teamwork, safety, and excellence in interactions with patients, families, and team members. Collaborates with the care team, the medical staff, and other departments to provide quality patient care.

Supports established hospital policies and procedures.

• Provides support as a nurse extern in one of the following departments:
  Emergency Department, Post‑Anesthesia, and Patient Care Unit.
• Assists with and performs patient care including collection of patient information, accurate reading and documentation of vital signs, and recording input and output activities and treatments on the electronic medical record.
• Coordinates the daily patient flow and schedule to optimize patient care, safety, and satisfaction – includes preparing rooms for exams and procedures, transferring patients between departments, and providing sitter responsibilities as assigned.
• Performs activities of daily living (ADLs) appropriate to the patient's condition.
• Demonstrates clinical knowledge in all patient types and age groups to meet patient care needs/outcomes within the practice.
• Complies with processes to ensure patient safety and upholds patient fall precautions.
• Takes personal accountability to seek out experiences to enhance skills and competence and to develop role as a progression towards that of a Registered Nurse. Skills that the nurse extern may perform after completed competency training to include insertion and removal of urinary catheters and non‑sterile dressing changes. Nurse externs may not complete assessments.
• Protects patients and employees by assisting in maintaining a clean, safe working environment, and adhering to infection control policies and protocols.
• Displays cultural competency and ability to work with diverse patient populations.
• Maintains all assigned patient equipment processes, as needed. This may include cleaning, maintenance, and management of defective equipment, Continue Passive Motion (CPM) Therapy, compression devices, hot/cold devices, and telemetry devices.
• Role models the principles of a Just Culture and Organizational Values.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Must be HIPAA compliant.

This description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

• Must have completed Med/Surg I (or equivalent)
• Must be entering final year in an accredited nursing program

• Basic Life Support (BLS), required

• Enrolled in a BSN or ADN accredited nursing program, required

• Competitive Wages & Family Benefits:
  • Competitive wages
  • Parental leave (4 weeks paid)
  • Housing programs
  • Childcare reimbursement
• Medical
• Vision
• Educational Programs:
  • Tuition Assistance
  • Existing Student Loan Repayment
  • Specialty Certification…