Student Nurse Trainee
Job Specification

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Class Code:	VJ9
Analyst:	GLD

Date Originated:	11/03
Date Revised:	N/A

DEFINITION

Under direct supervision in a formal work/study program, performs nursing services in the County's detention and/or clinic facilities. Following agency policies and utilizing the nursing process, provides patient care and other nursing services. With guidance and feedback from their nurse preceptor, provides assessments, practices analysis and interpretation of data, and demonstrates ability to solve clinical problems; performs other duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is an extra-help only class position to be used in conjunction with the Cabrillo College Student Nurse Working Study Program under California’s Board of Registered Nurse (RN) criteria. Student Nurse Trainees are second year nursing students who are in a credentialed nursing program with skills and experience learned in an academic setting, or additional planned learning experience in clinical settings. Student Nurse Trainees will be assigned to either clinic or detention operations where they will work under the direction of a Registered Nurse. The class requires performing skills for which the nursing student trainee has demonstrated competence as determined by the College nursing instructor and/or the nurse preceptor. According to the California Board of Registered Nurses, a student worker may perform nursing functions such as medication administration, injections, blood draws, assessments, and other functions taught in the basic nursing program. Nursing management at Cabrillo has the ultimate and ongoing responsibility for establishing student worker competence prior to placement into a work/study position under a direct care RN preceptor. The RN receptor/supervisor judges when the student worker is competent to perform specific functions and is responsible for training and supervision of skills and tasks. This classification is distinguished from other registered nurse classifications such as Clinic Nurse I/II and Detention Nurse Specialist I/II in that they have not completed their formal academic schooling nor have their license as a Registered Nurse. Further, this class will only be used as an extra-help class while incumbents are in school.

TYPICAL TASKS

Applies skills learned in an academic setting in either a detention or clinic setting.

In the clinic assignment, skills may include but are not limited to the following: maintain and check charts and records, and make referrals and follow-up appointments; coordinate with other agency divisions to schedule tests and other services; answer patients’ questions about procedures, diseases, and medical care concerns; provide informational literature and educate patient on medical care, health issues and need for follow-up; provide skilled nursing services, treatments, administer dressings, medications and immunizations; draw blood, fit orthopedic equipment, irrigate ears and provide other skilled nursing services; read TB skin tests; coordinate the blood pressure clinic and the pre-employment and base line physical examination program; perform audiometry and spirometry testing; keep test records required by the state and federal government; provide counseling for patients including sexually transmitted disease follow-up; orient clinic physicians, mid-level care providers and support personnel to specific clinic operations; maintain the emergency cart, medical supplies and medications; act as liaison to pharmaceutical representatives, set up training sessions concerning new drugs and secures samples.

In the detention assignment, skills may include but are not limited to the following: Assess medical and mental health conditions and need for treatment of incoming inmates, and refer inmates with critical medical/psychiatric conditions which cannot be managed in the facility to emergency medical or psychiatric facilities. Take medical histories, screen for potential medical and emotional problems, assess physical and mental status and assist in determining inmate housing assignments. Respond to emergencies, administer first aid, CPR and other appropriate emergency measures. Coordinate with staff going off or coming on shift to obtain/provide medical status of inmates and continuity of care. Assess outpatient housing admissions and discharges. Receive and triage requests for medical and mental health care, evaluate complaints, examine inmates and determine medical needs. Record, interpret and report conditions requiring further treatment. Make referrals to County physician, psychiatrist or mid-level practitioner as required. Administer prescribed medications in accordance with physician's or mid-level practitioner's orders, established protocols and standard procedures. Administer over-the-counter medications based on independent evaluation of inmate need. Following standardized procedures, note and act upon physician's or mid-level practitioner's orders. Change bandages, apply dressings and provide other routine treatment. Take measures necessary to control communicable disease. Perform venepuncture to obtain blood samples. Obtain urine and other routine lab test samples. Assist in performing routine physical examinations. Check and monitor inmates housed in the outpatient housing unit, take vital signs, conduct neurological checks, and note and assess physical and mental condition. Provide information on health maintenance and disease control to inmates. Establish and maintain medical records and care pathways. Maintain logs of services and medications, inventory controlled substances, medicines and other supplies. Observe and document effects of medication. Order and pick up medical and other supplies. Write reports.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

Some knowledge of:

Professional registered nursing techniques, practices, procedures, and regulation.
Routine medical/psychological assessment techniques.
Administration of medications and treatment.
The uses, effects and adverse reactions to medications and controlled substances.
Universal precautions consistent with infectious disease control.
Medical terminology, instruments and equipment.
Emergency response practices and procedures.
Accurate charting and medical record keeping practices.
Interviewing techniques.
The laws governing registered nursing practice.

Ability to:

Evaluate and assess health care/medical service needs.
Provide nursing services in a clinic/detention setting and administer treatments and medications.
Anticipate physicians and patients’ needs.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Learn clinic routines.
Deal with sensitivity to the needs of people with different cultural, environmental and social backgrounds.
Maintain charts and records.
Apply first aid and CPR as needed.
Push heavy objects such as Med carts or an occupied wheelchair.
Rapidly move to and respond to emergency medical situations.
Distinguish colors of uniforms and armbands to identify inmate access to restricted areas.
Distinguish verbal and nonverbal sounds in a noisy environment.
Stand and walk for long periods of time.
Lift objects weighing up to 16 pounds, such as an emergency bag, portable oxygen tank, and medical Cardex files.
Apply universal precautions to prevent transmission of communicable disease to self or others.

Education and Experience:

Must have completed the first year Registered Nurse Program at Cabrillo College and have acquired clinic competence in nursing skills as recommended by the supervising nurse instructor for Cabrillo College. No experience is required.

Special Requirements/Conditions:

Must be registered in a work/study course at Cabrillo College.
Possess and maintain a California Class C drivers license from the start of employment.
May only work during Cabrillo College semester/session and within the following limits: May work up to 20 hours per week during the regular semesters and up to 40 hours per week during summer and winter sessions.
In assignments in detention facilities, students will be required to pass a background investigation.
Be physically and mentally capable of performing the classification’s essential functions as summarized in the typical tasks section of this specification.

PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES:

Bargaining Unit: General Representation EEOC Job Category: 02
Occupational Grouping: 56 Workers’ Comp Code: 0290