OVERVIEW
In this hybrid role, the Clinical and Research Extern will have the opportunity to split their time between a clinical role on a clinical unit and a research role within the Nursing Innovation Program.
For the Clinical aspect of the hybrid role, theClinical and Research Extern is an integral member of the healthcare team working in the capacity of an unregulated care provider, in the inpatient and outpatient care units at MGH. Externs will have the opportunity to develop their nursing knowledge and skills while providing direct and indirect patient care in a mentored and supportive team environment. As part of the interprofessional healthcare team, the Extern will support high quality care for patients and families, while demonstrating a commitment to excellence in supporting the patient and family experience.
For the Research aspect of the hybrid role, the Clinical and Research Extern will participate in research and quality improvements projects within the Nursing Innovation Program. They will have the opportunity to learn more about the research and quality improvement process as well as to develop their nursing scholarship competencies under the mentorship and support of the research team.
Clinical and Research Externs’ unit preferences are taken into consideration during the application process, however, they are not guaranteed. Ultimately, the Clinical and Research Extern role will be coordinated centrally but dedicated to specific units to support a consistent work environment and promote optimal integration into the clinical team. Clinical and Research Externs will work under the direct/indirect supervision of an Extern Coordinator and the Researcher Coordinator.
Externs will be hired on contract, during which the Extern will work a minimum of 2 shifts per 2-week pay period, 1 mandatory weekend and 1 mandatory night shift per month. Externs have the opportunity to work up 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.
For the Clinical aspect of the hybrid role, Clinical and Research Externs are involved in providing direct care to patients and some responsibilities may include (but are not limited to):
- Liaising with point of care nurses to identify patient care needs
- Acting as a resource to the interprofessional team where needed for patient care tasks,
supplies, equipment, transportation
- Assisting with personal hygiene care, patient positioning and transfers
- Assisting with patient ambulation, toileting and with meals including feeding
- Assisting with patient and family communication
- Assisting with head to toe assessments and vital signs
- Promoting patient safety through fallsrisk and skin assessments
- Other duties as assigned to support the care team
For the Research aspect of the hybrid role, Clinical and Research Externs are also involved in conducting research and quality improvement activities, which may include but are not limited to:
- Conducting literature reviews
- Completing transcription
- Supporting recruitment of participants
- Coordinating study activities (e.g. sending surveys, communicating with participants, connecting with research team)
- Collecting qualitative and quantitative data (e.g., interviews, surveys, focus groups, observations)
- Assisting in preparing research ethics applications and study progress reports
- Assisting in analyzing research data and interpreting findings
- Attending project meetings and preparing meeting minutes
- Assisting in the preparation of study reports, manuscripts, and presentations
- Monitoring and maintaining deadlines and schedules
- Following standardized operating procedures, and regulations and policies governing the project
- Performing other general research and administrative duties as required
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY
Performs basic patient care functions, as assigned by the RN team-leader which contribute to the
implementation of the Interprofessional plan of care.
- Assists patients with hygiene including: dressing/undressing and grooming, perineal care, oral hygiene, bathing, showering, washing hair, shaving, etc.
- Assists patients with toileting activities including supplying and emptying bedpans, etc.
- Assists with ambulation of patients, as assigned by the RN or appropriate multidisciplinary team
Member
- Transports ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients as required
- Maintains awareness of patient nutritional status and dietary restrictions, e.g. NPO, Dysphasia
- Assist with feeding and hydration, as designated;
- Completes, corrects and/or assists patients with menu selections, as required
- Records the volume of food/fluid intake/output, in an accurate and timely manner
- Measures and reports patient weight and fluid intake and output
- Ensures patient oxygen therapy is maintained, assisting with the set up of basic oxygen and suction equipment as required
- Performs Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation functions, as required
Under the supervision of the partnered RN team leader, the Student Clinical Extern shall practice the following in a manner that is consistent with the professional standards of the College of Nurses of Ontario, while taking into account the limitations placed on the position:
- Delivers quality and safe patient care using professional and evidence-based nursing practice.
- Basic health assessment
- performing routine vital signs
- Reporting abnormal findings
- Documenting data accurately and in a timely fashion in the electronic health record.
- Provides relevant updates to the RN/N team leaderteam leader for accurate handover (bedside shift
report).
- Requests assistance with assigned duties whenever needed
- Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality at all times in line with hospital policy
- Works in a collaborative manner within an interprofessional team.
- Provides patient and family centered care
- Acts as an advocate for patients and their families
- Provides culturally competent care that demonstrates sensitivity to patient and family diversity
- Develops supportive and trusting relationships with patients, encouraging independence and
participation in the decision-making process
- Contributes to and supports positive team functioning
- DemontratesDemonstrates a willingness to help others
- Demonstrates positive communication and team building skills to enhance safe patient care
EDUCATION
- Nursing students enrolled in their 2nd-4th year of an accredited baccalaureate program (BScN/BSN), final year of an accelerated baccalaureate program (BScN/BSN), completed first year of a practical nurse (RPN) program, or Internationally Educated Nurse who has complete the educational requirements and are waiting to write their registration exam.
- Successful completion of minimum 1 in-person clinical placement.
- For Internationally Educated Nurses who have initiated registration with the CNO andreceived a letter of direction, must meet one of the following: are in any year of study in a CNO approved program (i.e. BScN-IEN or PN-IEN), or are completing a micro-credential plan with a curriculum to meet CNO requirements for registration.
- Completion of Basic Life Support (B.L.S.) required
QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of the Occupational Health & Safety Act and other relevant legislation
- Knowledge of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
- Knowledge of Emergency Codes
- Ability to work in a job that requires lifting, considerable walking, and standing, bending, pushing
and pulling of equipment
- Demonstrated knowledge of infection control practices
- Demonstrates a positive attitude and the willingness to work effectively in a team
- Demonstrated commitment to on-going learning and professional development
- Demonstrated ability to foster caring and trusting relationships with patients and families in an
effort to support patient focused care
- Ability to maintain a consistent level of productivity and efficiency
- Ability to ask questions and seek out assistance when unsure of how to proceed with a task that
is unfamiliar
- Ability to perform responsibilities in a courteous manner
- Compliance with confidentiality requirements under MGH Privacy Policy
- Effective organizational, interpersonal and communication skills
- Patient service orientated, with the ability to effectively work in a diverse and inclusive environment
- Good work and attendance record required.
- All employees of Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), a division of Toronto East Health Network (TEHN) [formerly Toronto EastGeneral Hospital (TEGH)] agree to work within the legislated practices of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario.
- All employees of MGH are responsible to contribute to a transparent culture of patient and staff safety by adhering to and abiding by patientand staff safety policies and procedures set by MGH.
- All employees are accountable for protecting the psychological health and safety of themselves and their co-workers through adherence to MGH's policies and practices.
