Covenant Health

Student Nurse Associate, Orthopedic Med Surg

PRN/OCC, Variable Hours and Shifts

Orthopedic Med Surg (5-West) is a 27-bed unit specializing in Orthopedic Joint/Spine and Bariatrics. The unit’s Joint and Bariatric patient’s average length of stay is 23 hours or less, leading to a fast turnover. The Orthopedic Med Surg team consist of RNs, Nurse Navigator, LPNs, Certified Nurses’ Aides, Patient Care Associates, Student Nurse Associate and Health Unit Coordinator.

Orthopedic Med Surg (5-West) is recognized as the “Joint Center.” Our Orthopedic Surgeons are well known in the East Tennessee region. Patient’s travel from multiple surrounding states for their expertise in total joint surgeries including hips (anterior and posterior), knees and shoulders. The team focus is providing excellent customer service, focused post-operative care, including ambulation, multi-modal pain management and standardized yet individualized patient home care education for our total joint/spine population. Orthopedic Med Surg team members encourage patient and family engagement in care and support of successful Bariatric and Joint/Spine outcomes.

The Fort Sanders Center for Bariatric Surgery is an Accredited Center by MBSAQIP. The bariatric surgeon at Fort Sanders performs a wide variety of procedures such as Gastric bypass, Gastric Sleeves and Duodenal Switch procedures. As a nurse on Orthopedic Med Surg you would be a part of an integral team who participate in the “RENEW” Program,” assisting patients postoperatively with the opportunity to achieve an obesity-free life through applied life-long education, motivation and the highest quality medical care delivered within a compassionate environment.

Joining the Orthpedic Med Surg (5-West) team, you will partner with nurses and other staff with over 20 plus years of Medical/Surgical experience who participate in unit decisions, process improvement and unit celebrations. Orthopedic Med Surg follows a multi-disciplinary approach to providing patient care to include our surgeons, physicians, pharmacy, case management plus physical and occupational therapy which is provided at bedside or in the unit’s gym. We strive to give every patient the highest level of care experience by practicing that the patient comes first, excellence in everything we do and making Fort Sanders Hospital and Orthopedic Med Surg the first and best choice. We are looking for professional individuals who like to work in a positive team environment with others who put their patients first: if that is you, please come join the Orthpedic Med Surg (5-West team).

Position Summary:

Performs a wide variety of patient care activities and supportive services under the supervision of a registered nurse. 

For more information on this position or others contact: Erica Young || eyoung9@covhlth.com || 865-331-2572

865-421-9914

• Demonstrates competence in performing critical skills (Student Nurse Associate Core Competency checklist) to include appropriate delivery of care according to age-specific needs of the population served.
• Take and record temperature, pulse, respiration rates, blood pressure, weight, height and intake-output measurements. Documents oxygen saturation if patient is connected to continuous pulse oximetry.
• Employ all established infection control policies including standard precautions, transmission-based isolation precautions, OSHA standards, safety measures and proper body mechanic in performance of job.
• Completes designated patient care activities and provides for patient comfort and privacy.
• Identifies and assists patients that need assistance with nutrition and/or hydration.
• Empty drains, canisters, urine bags, bedpans and emesis basins and record intake and output.
• Help to maintain clean and orderly patient and work environment.
• Revises and updates the plan of care as problems change and/or new problems are identified in collaboration with RN.
• Assists RN in obtaining a thorough nursing history on assigned patients
• Demonstrate effective therapeutic communication skills.
• Document/maintain patient record as appropriate.
• Performs basic dressing changes and is knowledgeable of the fundamentals of sterile technique.
• Evaluates nursing care actions and patient responses and documents each shift.
• Observes and responds appropriately to changes and complications in patient conditions. Report significant changes in patient condition to RN.
• Documents treatments and diagnostic tests with results and response. Documents in a clear, concise, accurate and legible manner.
• Observes assigned post-treatment/operative patients immediately upon return to floor and initiates appropriate nursing actions.
• Obtains RN signature for review and co-signature all entries.
• Completes assigned tasks with minimal supervision, but seeks guidance when uncertain how to perform procedure.
• Communicates suggestions and/or complaints through appropriate channels. Displays cooperation, flexibility and positive behavior to patients and other staff members.
• Demonstrates ability to effectively perform under stress.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education:

Student in an accredited nursing education program. Student must have junior or senior year status and must have successfully completed fundamental clinical skills portion of the program or must complete the program within the same semester of hiring into the position. (1^st semester of clinicals)

Minimum Experience:

None

Licensure Requirement:

CPR required.