Neuro Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse
Knoxville, Tennessee
Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

Registered Nurse - Medical Surgical Neuro

Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Work on a busy Neuro Medical-Surgical unit caring for patients with CVA/TIA, seizures, encephalopathy, weakness, and stroke rule-outs.
• EMR system: Cerner
• Medication system: Omnicell
• Weekend requirement: Every other weekend or 2 weekends per month
• Float required
• Must pass EKG competency testing prior to start (required for all MedSurg nurses regardless of subspecialty)
• Orientation offered bi-weekly

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA accepted
• NIHSS (NIH Stroke Scale) certification required (actual downloaded certificate, no screenshots/photos)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) preferred but not mandatory

Required Competencies

• Medication Test/Pharmacology Competency Exam
• Dysrhythmia/EKG Competency Exam (must score 80% or higher within 12 months prior to start)
• Core Competency Exams Part I, II, and III (minimum 80% pass rate, updated annually)
• Color Blind Testing (Ishihara test or equivalent within 12 months)

Schedule & Time Off Policy

• Every other weekend or 2 weekends per month required
• No time off allowed during specified holidays or holiday weeks (including but not limited to Valentine’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day)
• Holiday time off requests may be addressed onsite after arrival using the appropriate form

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Tennessee
• Minimum of 1 year Med Surg nursing experience within the last year
• BLS certification issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• NIHSS certification
• Tech Cert Verification - National
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Background & Health Requirements

• Background check covering 7 years, including SSN trace, sex offender registries, criminal checks, and abuse registries
• Physical exam within 12 months prior to start, signed by MD, DO, NP, APRN, or PA (no chiropractors)
• Negative TB test (QGold or Skin Test) within 1 year; chest x-ray if prior positive
• Drug screening within 45 days of start, including a comprehensive panel of substances
• Immunizations/vaccinations required or proof of immunity for:

  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Varicella
  • Seasonal Flu vaccine (required for starts 9/8/2025 and onward; no declinations accepted)
• TB questionnaire and other health documentation as required

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver’s license or state ID (color copy, current)
• Photo for badge (passport style, solid background, no filters or facial piercings)
• Employment application with 7-year work history, no unexplained gaps over 30 days
• Two supervisory references from the past 3 years
• Unit-specific skills checklist updated within the last year
• Various onboarding attestations and facility-specific documents to be completed prior to start

Summary

This is a travel Registered Nurse position on a Neuro Medical-Surgical unit requiring strong MedSurg skills, NIHSS certification, and the ability to float. The role involves working with complex neurological patients and requires adherence to strict background, health, and competency standards. Weekend coverage and holiday scheduling restrictions apply.