Position Summary:
Neuro - Stroke Unit
UT Medical Center is certified as an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center designated by the Joint Commission and American Heart Association, meaning our patients are recognized nationally as receiving the highest quality of care in the industry and achieve better outcomes. 7 South plays an integral role as a part of the Comprehensive Stroke Center team.
Unit overview:
7 South is a 21 bed, state of the art, highly specialized acute care unit which upholds a culture of safety, high quality patient care, and teamwork. Our patient/family-centered unit is fast paced and encompasses a clinically challenging environment with complex neurological/stroke patients. We follow a shared governance model with an active unit council that focuses on unit and quality improvement, evidenced based practice principles, structure, and team building, while also emphasizing education and professional development.
Benefits to working at UT Medical Center:
Medical insurance is through Blue Cross Blue Shield
Dental insurance and vision care
Retirement dollars are contributed to your retirement 403(b) retirement fund without required matching from you.
Higher education assistance is available for employees those who qualify.
Generous paid time off (PTO) and extended sick leave (ESL) programs. PTO days increase with years of service.
Recognized as a \"family friendly\" employer.
Opportunities available on 7S:
Participate in Unit Council
Participate in a Shared Governance Council
Obtain a Specialty Certification
SCRN- Stroke Certified Registered Nurse
NVRN-BC- Neurovascular Registered Nurse
CNRN- Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse
Receive additional neurological/stroke education
36 continuing education hours-Hemisphere Modules (Stroke) and Impulse Modules (Cardiac)
Advanced Stroke Life Support (ASLS)
Neuro Skills Day- interactive stations based on staff learning needs and suggestions
ACLS and BLS
UT Medical Center values the continued professional development of our nursing team members and highly encourages nurses to obtain their specialty practice certifications through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and/or other certifying organizations approved by the Magnet Recognition Program. UT Medical Center currently supports nurses by paying for an original approved certification, and the following renewal of that certification. A bonus, along with other incentives are also provided in recognition and appreciation of those nurses who have achieved this important and highly valued milestone while employed with our organization.
Patient population served:
The Neuro/Stroke Unit provides high quality and patient/family centered care for any neurological patients. This can include any type of stroke. During a stroke, the interruption in blood supply in the brain can be caused by either a blockage in an artery (ischemic stroke) or a ruptured artery (hemorrhagic stroke), intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and transient ischemic attack (TIA). Other patient population include myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Bell's palsy, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, as well as many others.
Unit Staffing:
Management consists of: Nurse Manager, Team Leaders/Charge Nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Director
The staff includes RNs, Nursing Technicians/Certified Nursing Assistants, and Health Unit Coordinators
7 South works closely with Case Management, Physical Therapy and Physical Therapy Assistants, Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistants, Speech Therapy, Dieticians, and Pharmacists.
In addition, we collaborate with a dedicated Stroke Team including Neuro Hospitalists, 24/7 stroke coverage by Nurse Practitioners or Stroke Certified Nurses, Stroke Program manager and coordinator. We also work with neurosurgeons, hospitalists, neuro-interventional radiologists, medical residents and fellows, and multiple consulting physicians.
Orientation
All RNs complete a centralized hospital and specialized nursing orientation in addition to the unit orientation. New employees are paired with a dedicated preceptor during unit orientation providing specialized learning opportunities and shadow experiences.
Qualifications:
ASN/BSN
BLS-completed during orientation
ACLS- completed within 6 months to 1 year (offered at no cost)
Advanced Stroke Life Support (ASLS) - completed within 6 months (offered at no cost)
NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)- obtained during orientation
Position Qualification:
Bachelors degree (BSN) or ASN
Current Registered Nurse licensure in Tennessee
Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, The University of Tennessee Medical Center, has a rich history in the East Tennessee community of providing patient-centered care and remaining at the forefront of research, technology and treatments. UT Medical Center attributes its well-respected standing within the community to the exceptional people that dedicate themselves to patient care excellence. The hospital serves as a referral center for Eastern Tennessee, Southeastern Kentucky and Western North Carolina. It is the region’s academic medical center, Magnet® recognized hospital and Level I Trauma Center.