Covenant Health

Registered Nurse, Unit B Insight

PRN/OCC, Hours and Shifts vary

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 B:

Unit B is an 87-bed unit, divided into two separate “Tracks.” Track 1 is a 44-bed area that cares primarily for adult patients with mood disorders and/or chemical dependency issues. Track 2 is a 43-bed area that cares primarily for adult patients with thought disorders and/or chemical dependency issues. Unit B is a busy and exciting area to work where you will be exposed to patients dealing with a wide variety of psychiatric conditions. 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 physicians, therapists, discharge planners, registered nurses, psychiatric technicians, and others who work together to develop a comprehensive treatment outline and care plan. We have a great team on the unit who all work together to provide excellent care for 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: 

Responsible for quality patient care by providing clinical direction as part of a patient care team and by using the nursing process in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the delivery of patient care.

Recruiter: Angelica Adams || aadams16@covhlth.com || 865-374-5405

Unit and Clinical Responsibilities

• Provides proper supervision and guidance in the daily activities of the program as part of a patient care team.
• 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, scheduled activities, and the therapeutic milieu to manage the unit, to provide support and limits for the patients, and to carry out the Treatment Plan for each patient.
• Implements the use of restrictive measures with patients as necessary in collaboration with medical staff when least restrictive measures have failed and provides clinical supervision during the intervention.
• Assists in the training, orientation, and teaching of new staff members as directed by the Nurse Manager or Nurse Supervisor.
• Performs medication administration duties.
• Implements physician orders accurately and with proper documentation.
• Solicits administrative or medical consultation to assure quality patient care.
• 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.
• Determines patient acuity and makes patient care assignments to appropriate nursing staff.
• Facilitates the admission process and discharge process and assures that all relevant information is comprehensive, accurate, and appropriately documented.
• May perform 24-hour chart reviews.
• Participates 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.
• Formulates nursing diagnosis (using NANDA taxonomy) and uses standard DSM IV classifications of mental disorders to express conclusions supported by the collection of data.
• Develops treatment plans with specific goals that are patient-centered, time-oriented, and measurable and that are unique to each patient’s needs.
• 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

Training and Development Responsibilities

• Maintains all necessary certifications – CPR, TCI, etc…
• Attends on regular basis staff training and development sessions and unit staff meetings in order to enhance job knowledge.
• Will provide input for policy changes that impact programming and patient care.

Personal Responsibilities

• Is punctual and prepared to perform duties and responsibilities.
• Presents a professional image, both in appearance and delivery of service.
• Communicates with supervisory staff all work-related issues, concerns, and problems.
• Works well with co-workers and ensures that necessary communication and cooperation takes 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:           

A graduate of an accredited nursing school.

Minimum Experience:         

Previous experience in the practice of psychiatric nursing desired but not mandatory. 

Licensure Requirement:     

Current licensure as a registered professional nurse in the State of Tennessee. CPR required.

RN license