Covenant Health

Student Nurse Associate, Transitional Care

PRN/OCC, Variable Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shift 

The Transitional Care Unit (9 North / TCU) is a short term care facility located on the 9^th floor of Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. TCU is a 24 private bed unit providing extended physical or occupational therapy or skilled nursing care to patients transitioning from hospital to home.

The majority of patients stay in the TCU 14 to 20 days at most. Patients on our unit have varied diagnoses which include cadiac, respiratory and oncology comorbidities and most are over the age of 65. Some patients come to TCU to receive wound care, or after they have had and joint replacement procedures. All patients on our unit benefit from our Therapy Department and have full access to the medical doctors in our facility.

9 North has a registered nurse on duty around the clock. Skilled caregivers on this unit also include licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, case managers, therapists and activities coordinators. In addition to having excellent critical thinking skills, our ideal candidate will also possess outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.

As an organization, we want to grow our employees by promoting a culture of excellence and professionalism. Fort Sanders Regional has achieved NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Health System Elders) Exemplar status every year since 2013. Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center was the first NICHE-certified facility in our region and now joins other hospitals and a team of nationally recognized researchers, educators, nurses and doctors in a vision of sensitive care for patients 65 and older. Exemplar status is the highest of four possible program levels, recognizing our commitment to providing the highest level of geriatric care.

If you are passionate about the geriatric patient population and strive to always put your patients first, apply for our Transitional Care Unit today!

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

• 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.