Covenant Health

Student Nurse Associate, Nephrology Unit

PRN/OCC, Variable Hours, Night Shift

Kidney disease is the 9^th leading cause of death in the USA.  There is approximately 850 million people who suffer from some sort of kidney disease.  At Fort Sanders Regional we take an important role in caring for these patients in the acute stages of kidney failure and helping with other complications that occur because of chronic kidney failure.  On this unit we focus on patients who have hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, urinary infections, and other urological conditions. Our unit cares for patients with other medical and cardiac issues as well.

The Nephrology Unit (3 West) at Fort Sanders Regional is a 17-bed telemetry unit serving a wide variety of medical patients. Our primary population consists of patients with acute or chronic renal failure, diabetes and cardiac issues. We focus on patients who have hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, urinary infections, and other urological conditions. 

We specialize in the treatment of the kidney patient including those who are newly diagnosed with a kidney issue, as well as individuals who are long term dialysis patients. Cardiac overflow.

As an RN on our nephrology unit, you will perform a variety of tasks. Nurses on 3 West are specially trained in performing peritoneal dialysis and managing select cardiac drips. Our goal is to provide excellent patient-centered care and prepare our patients and their families for care after discharge. Great basic nursing skills such as lines, drains, and tubing practices are used on this unit every day as well as cutting edge dialysis therapies. In addition to having excellent critical thinking skills, our ideal candidate will also possess outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.

You will participate in team nursing, with the RN as Team Leader. Our staff consists of RNs, LPNs, CNA/PCAs, and HUCs who work together to provide exceptional care. We work in close collaboration with one another, our physicians and interdisciplinary team. We have a supportive environment and an orientation tailored to your needs. If you are looking for a work “home”, then you have found the right floor!

As an organization, we want to grow our employees by promoting a culture of excellence and professionalism. Because of this, nurses on 3 west are encouraged to become certified in Med/Surg nursing. If you choose to become certified, our organization can help with the cost of your testing, as well as pay you a yearly bonus for taking the next step in your career.

If you are passionate about putting patients first apply for our Nephrology unit today!

Position Summary:

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

Recruiter: Lacey Spoon || Lspoon2@covhlth.com || 865-374-5404

• 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. BLS preferred.