Covenant Health

Health Unit Coordinator, Post-Surgical Unit

Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shift

Fort Sanders Regional Overview:

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center is an award-winning, certified, and accredited facility with 541 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:

Provide clerical and secretarial services to the nursing unit.

Recruiter: Jennifer Gordon || apply@covhlth.com

• Performs clerical duties related to procedures such as admission, discharge, transfer, and death.
• Ensures STAT orders are brought to the attention of licensed nursing personnel.
• Transcribes physician’s orders accurately and in a timely manner and notifies consults as ordered.
• Requisitions supplies and equipment, maintenance and repair services, and prepares related forms. Keeps unit stock and equipment inventories at appropriate levels.
• Answers telephone and intercoms; relays and documents messages. Helps to ensure that follow-up to patients request is timely.
• Assists physicians in obtaining reports from lab, radiology, etc.
• Schedules patient tests, diagnostic procedures, and doctors appointments for patients as requested.
• Organizes patient charts in proper sequence. Labels and replenishes all necessary forms.
• Employ all established infection control policies including standard precautions, transmission based isolation precautions, OSHA standards, safety measures and proper body mechanics in performance of job.
• Act as preceptor to HUC I.
• If not a CNA, must demonstrate competency as a Patient Care Assistant by completing the Patient Care Assistant training class within Covenant. Must also have six or more (6+) months of full time work in a HUC I role.
• Obtains patient records from other facilities.
• Manages patient flow via flowboard if applicable.
• Assures appropriate discharge disposition in electronic medical records
• 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; will accept any combination of formal education and/or prior work experience sufficient to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill and ability needed to perform the essential tasks of the job, typically such as would be equivalent to a high school diploma or GED. Preference may be given to individuals possessing a HS diploma or GED.

Minimum Experience:         

Must be a CNA, MA, or EMT at the time of hire or be a HUC I, PCA, CNA, MA, or EMT with six or more (6+) months of experience at a Covenant Health facility and complete the Covenant Health’s Patient Care Assistant training protocol OR For HUC II working in Cardiac Areas- completion of Apex modules 1-6 and/or telemetry class completed prior to hire or placement in a HUC II role.

Licensure Requirement:         

External new hires must have CNA, MA, or EMT Certification.