Covenant Health

Enterostomal Therapist, Transitional Care

Part Time, 48 Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shift

Must be willing to work 8a-4:30p Monday through Friday.

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.

Department Description:

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 cardiac, 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.

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: 

Has responsibility, authority, and accountability for quality therapeutic care for patients with an ostomy and assists with the care of draining wounds and fistulas.

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

• Assesses patient needs. Responsible for the care of stomas, penrose drains, draining wounds, fistulas, pressure ulcers, and incontinence.
• Assists with the completion of a patient history, pertaining to the ostomy, wounds and degree of incontinence.
• Makes diagnosis, based upon the assessment and formulates a plan of care that attempts to modify or eliminate treatment problems that pertain to ostomy, wound care, and incontinence.
• Initiates discharge planning as related to the stoma, drains, wounds or fistulas.
• Performs all independent therapeutic/nursing functions and performs dependent therapeutic/nursing functions as ordered by physician and documents activities.
• Coordinates patient/family, care planning, health teaching, and based upon assessment of patient readiness and patient rehabilitation.
• Provides and maintains necessary supplies and equipment; including responsibility for ordering and billing.
• Serves as a consultant within the bounds of related field to all areas of the FSHS and to the community.
• Continuously evaluates the patient's status, and makes revision in the plan of care, as necessary.
• Participates in planned orientation for new employees and in-services for staff.
• Appropriately utilizes team members, according to their abilities and position description.
• Identifies enterostomal therapy nurse role to patient, family, and health team members.
• Communicates patient's status to other health team members, such as physicians, dietician, social services, and discharge planners.
• Utilizes Social Services and all resources to promote, restore, and maintain optimal health care for patient and/or family.
• Assists the clinical instructor in providing clinical learning experiences for nursing students.
• 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.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

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: 

One (1) year of experience in a hospital as a staff nurse required. 

Licensure Requirement:

Current Tennessee nursing license.