Covenant Health

Student Nurse Associate, Post-Surgical Unit

PRN/OCC, Variable Hours, Day Shift

Able to work 1 day out of 2 week pay period

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:

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:

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

Recruiter: Lacey Spoon || apply@covhlth.com

• 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. Previous hospital experience preferred.

Licensure Requirement:

CPR required. BLS preferred