GRADUATE NURSE ASSOCIATE

Covenant Health; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Covenant Health is seeking a Graduate Nurse Associate for the 2 Montvue Step-down Unit in Knoxville. This full-time position supports patients requiring higher acuity monitoring and works under the supervision of a registered nurse.

The role emphasizes hands-on patient care, critical assessment, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. CPR certification is required; nursing graduates with hospital experience are preferred, and computer/EMR use is expected as part of daily duties.

Qualifications

• Must have graduated from an accredited registered nursing education program.
• No prior hospital experience required but RN grads may have related clinical exposure.
• CPR certification required.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates competence in delivering patient care according to age-specific needs under RN supervision.
• Measures and records vitals and basic observations; documents intake and output.
• Adheres to infection control policies and safety standards in daily practice.
• Completes patient care activities, ensuring comfort and privacy.
• Assists with nutrition/hydration needs and patient mobility.
• Assists with drains, bags, and basic bedside procedures as trained.
• Maintains clean, safe patient and work area; supports RN with history taking.
• Documents in patient records and demonstrates effective communication with the team.
• Observes changes in patient condition and informs RN promptly.
• Works with supervision to perform tasks and continue education.

Skills

Nursing fundamentals

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

CPR certification

Computer literacy

Education

Graduate from accredited RN program

Tools

Electronic medical records (EMR)

Job description

Overview

Graduate Nurse Associate, Step-down Unit

Full Time, 72 hours per pay period, Day shifts

Parkwest Overview:

Headquartered in Knoxville, Covenant Health is a community‑owned integrated healthcare delivery system and the area’s largest employer.

Parkwest is Covenant Health’s and West Knoxville’s premier medical facility and a top‑performing heart hospital, offering our patients world‑class treatment with all the convenience and warmth of home.

In addition to providing the area’s leading cardiac services, Parkwest has been nationally recognized for award‑winning care throughout our facility. For 2020‑21, Parkwest received recognition from U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Top 10” hospitals in Tennessee.

Parkwest is located in East Tennessee, the third largest in the state, well known for its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and is the home of the University of Tennessee. Living in Knoxville means experiencing all four seasons. Best of all, each of them is pretty mild!

Combine all that with the abundant natural beauty of the surrounding mountains, and you have a city that truly offers something for everyone. Knoxville has a vibrant arts culture, seasonal festivals, top‑notch foodie and incredible outdoor recreation. It’s a perfect blend of big‑city amenities and Southern charm.

2 Montvue, Step-down Unit:

2 Montvue is Parkwest’s Medical Step-Down Unit that serves patients requiring step‑down status due to higher acuity conditions and the need for increased monitoring. Patient diagnoses include respiratory failure, sepsis, gastrointestinal bleed, arrhythmias, hypertensive urgency, electrolyte imbalance, NSTEMI, pulmonary embolus, altered mental status, seizures, substance withdrawal, and strokes and other diagnosis requiring increased care.

The Step-down Unit accepts patients on a variety of intravenous drips that require titrations and frequent monitoring of vital signs, as well as tracheostomy ventilator patients. The unit provides patients with nursing care, medical monitoring, and an array of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Bed side report and daily rounding with a multidisciplinary team allow for excellent patient care.

You will find an energetic team made up of Registered Nurses, Patient Care Assistants and Health Unit Coordinators who are team oriented, morale boosters and have been deemed by students as “The most welcoming unit”. The Medical Step-down unit uses a modified six‑week self‑scheduling model with an every other weekend requirement.

If you are looking for a higher acuity unit, love working in a fun team environment, 2 Montvue, Medical Step-down is the place for you!

Position Summary:

This position is designed to facilitate the transition upcoming graduates of an accredited nursing program into the workforce. Performs a wide variety of patient care activities and supportive services under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN).

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates competence in performing critical skills (appropriate delegation grid competency checklist) to include appropriate delivery of care according to age‑specific needs of the population served.
• Takes and records temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, weight, height and intake‑output measurements. Documents oxygen saturation if patient is connected to continuous pulse oximetry.
• Employs 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.
• If trained and competency demonstrated, empties drains, canisters, urine bags, bedpans and emesis basins and records intake and output.
• Helps to maintain clean and orderly patient and work environment.
• Assists RN in obtaining a thorough nursing history on assigned patients.
• Demonstrates effective therapeutic communication skills.
• Documents/maintains patient record as appropriate. Basic charting, admission history, basic observations under guidance of RN.
• Observes and reports significant changes in patient condition to RN.
• Obtains RN signature on 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.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

Must have graduated from an accredited registered nursing education program.

Minimum Experience:

None required but able to perform as nursing assistant; previous hospital experience preferred. Must be able to operate computer and possess excellent interpersonal skills.

Licensure Requirement:

CPR required.