Covenant Health

Licensed Practical Nurse, Unit E-Pathways

Full Time, 72 Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shift

Peninsula Overview:

Peninsula, a division of Parkwest Medical Center, has set a new standard for effective, innovative and caring mental health services in East Tennessee. With a combined total of more than 75 years of experience, Peninsula has helped thousands of people recover from disorders and dependencies, and lead healthy, positive and productive lives.

Offering both inpatient and outpatient services for children, adolescents and adults, Peninsula is a leader in the changing healthcare environment. The hospital is located in Blount County, with outpatient centers in Knox, Blount, Loudon and Sevier Counties. Additionally, Peninsula offers care specifically designed for seniors with co-existing psychiatric and medical conditions at the Senior Behavioral Center located at Parkwest Medical Center. Peninsula is truly committed to improving the health of the people and communities it serves.

Unit E:

The Women’s Unit is a 12-bed unit serving female adult patients. Patients treated on this unit are experiencing acute symptoms of their disease which require more intensive monitoring. The floor plan of the acute unit allows for this increased monitoring.  This is an exciting unit where you will be exposed to patients dealing with a variety of psychiatric symptoms including depression, anxiety, and disordered thoughts. Staff may also work on other units in the hospital, offering the opportunity to work with many different types of patients. The care team consists of psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, therapists, discharge planners, registered nurses, psychiatric technicians, and others who work together to develop a comprehensive treatment outline and care plan.  Our goal is to provide excellent care for all our patients in a safe, therapeutic environment. This unit creates a 6-week schedule which is released two weeks before the schedule starts.  Staff preferences are considered and may be accommodated when they align with the overall staffing needs of the unit and facility.

Position Summary:

Provides quality patient care under the clinical direction and supervision of the Registered Nurse.

Recruiter: Brittany Partello || bpartell@CovHlth.com || (865) 374-5363

• Responsible for maintaining a safe and therapeutic patient environment as part of a patient care team.
• Demonstrates and maintains competence in therapeutic communication, supportive counseling, small group dynamics, patient education, and milieu management. Can provide support and limits for the patients, and can assist in carrying out the Treatment Plan for each patient, under the direction of an RN.
• Assists in the training, orientation, and teaching of new staff members as directed by the Nurse Manager or Nurse Supervisor.
• Performs medication administration duties, including accessing pharmacy.
• Implements physician orders accurately and with proper documentation.
• Solicits administrative or medical consultation to assure quality patient care.
• Under the supervision of an RN, accesses emergency medical care for patients, provides a report to the Emergency Room, assures that a report from the Emergency Room is provided before the return of the patient, and facilitates the receipt of records. Provides for patient stabilization.
• Initiates Nursing Admission Database and Interdisciplinary Care Plan under the supervision of an RN.
• Evaluates nursing actions and patient responses, documents in a timely, concise and legible manner each shift.
• Recognizes, responds and reports changes in patient conditions to RN.
• Demonstrates competence in performing critical skills to include appropriate delivery of care according to the age-specific needs of the population served.
• Facilitates discharge process and assures that all relevant information is comprehensive, accurate, and appropriately documented.
• May perform 24-hour chart reviews.
• May participate in the treatment team process by interacting with the multidisciplinary team of care providers.
• Applies Infection Control, Hospital Emergency, Hazardous Materials Management, and Patient/Proprietary Information Confidentiality policies.
• Advocates for the rights of the patients and is able to process patient complaints and concerns.
• Can perform ECG, VP, and Bedside Glucose Meter procedures.
• Understands and is familiar with all Hospital policies and procedures, especially those relevant to his/her respective program.
• Maintains all necessary certifications – CPR, TCI, etc
• Attends on regular basis staff training and development sessions in order to enhance job knowledge.
• Will provide input for policy changes that impact programming and patient care
• Is punctual and prepared to perform duties and responsibilities.
• Presents a professional image, both in appearance and in delivery of service.
• Communicates to supervisory staff all work-related issues, concerns, and problems.
• Works well with co-workers and ensures that necessary communication and cooperation take place.
• Able to demonstrate consistently the ability to hold accountable self and co-workers.
• Adheres to the ethics and values of the organization as outlined in the PBH “Standards of Performance”.
• Understands the mission of the organization and is able to communicate such to others. 
• Maintains a positive attitude and shows the ability to problem-solve through the chain of command.
• Adheres to and promotes patient rights.
• Strives to provide exemplary customer service.

Minimum Education:           

None specified; however, must be sufficient to meet the standards for achievement of the below indicated license and/or certification as required by the issuing authority.

Minimum Experience:         

Previous experience in the practice of psychiatric nursing is desired. One (1) year minimum LPN/LVN experience required.

Licensure Requirement:      

Current license as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Tennessee or Licensed Vocational Nurse. CPR required.