Position Summary:
Vascular Surgery and Transplant Unit (VSTU / 9Heart)
Unit overview:
VSTU is a 32-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 environment with complex vascular, renal transplant, and various medical/surgical 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.
Patient population served:
Our nurses provide care to a wide variety of patients requiring complex cardio-vascular medical and post-operative management including the following:
Carotid Stenosis- Carotid stent or Endarterectomy (CEA)
PVD-lower extremity stent/bypass/amputation
AAA-Endovascular (directly to 8W) Open AAA repair/Aortabifem (transfer from CVICU)
TOS-Decompression, 1st rib resection, brachial plexus/neurolysis, tenotomy
Non healing vascular ulcers
Arteriograms
Pre- operative and post- operative kidney transplant
Patient with history of kidney/pancreas
History of transplant (less than 3 years out) with medical/surgical diagnosis
Cardiac Patients as overflow
Opportunities available on VSTU:
Participate in Unit Council
Participate in a Shared Governance Council
Obtain a Specialty Certification
Receive additional vascular, transplant, neurological/stroke education
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.
VSTU Staffing:
Management consists of: Nurse Manager, Team Leaders/Charge Nurses, and Nurse Educator
The staff includes RNs, Nursing Technicians/Certified Nursing Assistants, and Health Unit Coordinators
We work closely with Case Management, Physical Therapy and Physical Therapy Assistants, Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistants, Speech Therapy, Dieticians, and Pharmacists.
The University of Tennessee Medical Center utilizes night shift Clinical Resource Nurses in both the Intensive Care Units and Acute Care Units to provide additional clinical resources and help ensure all staff members have access to clinical experts and guidance when needed.
Orientation
All RNs complete a centralized hospital and specialized nursing orientation, in addition to the unit orientation. Competency-based orientation is structured to fit the needs of the experience level of the RN.
Qualifications:
ASN/BSN
BLS-completed during orientation
ACLS- completed with 6 months to 1 year (offered at no cost)
NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)- obtained during orientation
The RN is responsible for delegating, coordinating, and managing all aspects of nursing care and services provided to the patient and family in a safe, timely, cost-effective, and respectful manner. Patient and family centered care is delivered in collaboration with the patient, family, and members of the healthcare team.
Initiates the development of the plan of care based upon the nursing assessment, the medical diagnosis and clinical information gathered from the patient, family and other health care providers.
Evaluates the patient's actual and/or potential response to the disease process, interventions, and the outcomes of nursing care and multidisciplinary health care services.
Incorporates evidence-based research in the delivery of professional nursing services.
Establishes and maintains positive interpersonal relationships and promotes effective teamwork with patients, families, coworkers and the community to meet customer service goals.
Considers safety principles and practices to address unit-based issues related to the quality of care and services provided the appropriate use of technology, and the efficiencies of service delivery. Responds appropriately to emergency situations or unplanned events.
Promotes the effective and efficient allocation, distribution and use of unit, service-line, and organizational resources for the delivery of safe, timely, cost-effective and respectful patient care services.
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.