Covenant Health

Registered Nurse Shift Leader, Post-Surgical Unit

Full Time, 72 Hours Per Pay Period, Night Shift 

7p-7a. Every other weekend requirement.

Fort Sanders Regional Overview:

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center is an award-winning, certified, and accredited facility with 468 beds. As a Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center, Fort Sanders offers state-of-the art care that maximizes recovery from stroke.  We are also the region’s leader in technology in areas such as bariatric surgery, robotic surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery. Our door-to-balloon times for heart attack patients are below the national average, and our hip fracture center offers advanced diagnosis, surgery and recovery procedures for hip patients.

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center is a member of Covenant Health, a locally-owned, non-profit health system based in Knoxville, TN, with a “patient-focused” culture. It has been recognized by Forbes Magazine as its 2020 “Best-in-State-Employer” for Tennessee. The CEO of our company, Jim VanderSteeg, attends every new employee orientation and will ask you to sign our pledge of excellence to always put patients first, strive for excellence in everything we do, and make Covenant Health the first and best choice for patients in our region. As you’d expect, we offer our employees a robust benefits package, including: offering unmatched medical insurance, tuition reimbursement; student loan repayment assistance, certification bonuses; leadership and professional development programs; an employer-matched 401(k); and a generous Combined Time Off (CTO) program.

Department Description:

Working in the Post-Surgical Unit offers a deeply rewarding and enriching experience. Nurses in this unit provide care for patients recovering from a diverse range of surgical procedures, including abdominal, vascular, urological and general surgeries, as well as wound care and skin grafts. This environment presents frequent opportunities to engage with complex medical conditions and post-operative complications, fostering the development of advanced clinical judgment and critical thinking skills.

As a fast-paced unit with frequent admissions and discharges, strong time management and prioritization abilities are essential. Nurses play a pivotal role in guiding patients through their transition from surgery to recovery, often witnessing firsthand the profound impact of their care as patients regain strength and independence.

Collaboration is key, with close partnerships formed alongside surgeons, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals. The unit also offers exposure to evolving surgical techniques and recovery protocols, making it an excellent setting for continuous learning and professional growth.

Experience in this unit can serve as a strong foundation for future roles in specialized areas such as Surgical Intensive Care Units (SICUs) and Post-Anesthesia Care Units (PACUs).

Position Summary: 

This position is designed to provide supervisory leadership to staff level employees, coordinating such activities with the department’s Manager.  The incumbent is expected to exercise independent judgement and discretion in performing the duties listed below. 

Recruiter: Lacey Spoon || apply@covhlth.com

• Participates in performance appraisal of staff on applicable shift.
• Participates in hiring process, including providing hiring recommendations to the Manager.
• Prepares documentation for possible disciplinary actions and makes recommendations for such action to the Manager.
• Provides recommendations to the Manager for commendations, bonuses, or other appropriate forms of recognition for outstanding performance of employees on applicable shift.
• Makes work assignments and directs work activities. Coordinates staff relief for meals, breaks, and meetings.
• Projects staffing needs for next two shifts, coordinating adjustments in staffing level as needed.
• Serves as clinical resource for all staff.
• Checks the emergency crash cart or ascertains that the cart has been checked.
• Provides shift report to next Shift Leader or Charge Nurse.
• Participates in making work schedules.
• Completes all charge nurse duties as specified in nursing policy.
• Demonstrates competency in critical skills, including demonstration of competency in addressing the age-specific needs of the patient population served.
• Provides professional nursing care on assigned unit.
• 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:

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: 

Must possess at least one to three (1-3) years of professional experience. 

Licensure Requirement:

Must have and maintain Tennessee State nursing licensure. CPR required.