Student Nurse Associate

Covenant Health•Knoxville, TN

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Student Nurse Associate performs a wide variety of patient care activities and supportive services under the supervision of a registered nurse. The role is in the Step-Down Unit at Parkwest Medical Center and is listed as PRN/OCC with variable hours and shifts. The associate provides age-appropriate care, supports patient comfort and safety, documents care and patient responses, and seeks RN guidance when needed.

Requirements

Be a student in an accredited nursing education program.
Have junior or senior year status and have successfully completed the fundamental clinical skills portion of the program, or complete the program within the same semester as hiring into the position.
CPR required.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate competence in the Student Nurse Associate Core Competency checklist and provide care appropriate to the age-specific needs of the population served.
Take and record temperature, pulse, respiration rates, blood pressure, weight, height, and intake-output measurements; document oxygen saturation for patients on continuous pulse oximetry.
Follow infection control policies, including standard and transmission-based precautions, OSHA standards, safety measures, and proper body mechanics.
Complete designated patient care activities while providing for patient comfort and privacy.
Identify and assist patients who need help with nutrition or hydration.
Empty drains, canisters, urine bags, bedpans, and emesis basins, and record intake and output.
Help maintain a clean and orderly patient and work environment.
Collaborate with the RN to revise and update the plan of care when problems change or new problems are identified.
Assist the RN in obtaining a thorough nursing history for assigned patients.
Use effective therapeutic communication skills.
Document and maintain patient records, treatments, diagnostic tests, results, and patient responses in a clear, concise, accurate, and legible manner; obtain RN review and co-signature for all entries.
Perform basic dressing changes and apply the fundamentals of sterile technique.
Evaluate nursing care actions and patient responses and document each shift.
Observe and respond appropriately to changes or complications in patient condition, and report significant changes to the RN.
Observe assigned post-treatment or postoperative patients immediately upon return to the floor and initiate appropriate nursing actions.
Complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision and seek guidance when uncertain about a procedure.
Communicate suggestions and complaints through appropriate channels.
Display cooperation, flexibility, and positive behavior toward patients and staff, and perform effectively under stress.
Follow policies, procedures, and safety standards.
Complete required annual education assignments.
Work toward goals and objectives and participate in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
Perform other duties as assigned.