Charge Nurse

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Charge RN provides direct patient care while overseeing daily clinical operations to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality service delivery. This role supports patient flow, staff coordination, and acts as a clinical resource for the nursing team. The Charge RN also participates in quality improvement, staff mentorship, and policy compliance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Communicates openly, directly, tactfully, and effectively.

· Appreciates and respects others’ needs, opinions, and concerns.

· Conducts self courteously and professionally in all interactions with physicians, patients, families, visitors, the public, and co-workers.

· Demonstrates sincere concern for the needs of all customers.

· Demonstrates knowledge and compliance with Patient Rights, including patient confidentiality and privacy.

· Resolves interpersonal conflicts independently and positively.

· Seeks appropriate assistance when needed to resolve interpersonal conflicts.

· Submits current licensure and/or certification documentation in a timely manner.

· Encourages and promotes cross-training for professional growth and overall Center function.

· Actively participates in staff meetings, committees, quality improvement projects, and special assignments.

· Keeps up to date with policies, procedures, protocols, and clinical practices.

· Functions within scope of practice based on licensure, education, skills, and experience.

· Recognizes own limitations and seeks guidance as necessary.

· Participates in orientation or preceptorship of new or transferred employees; serves as a positive role model.

· Reports to work on time.

· Follows appropriate call-in procedures for absence or lateness.

· Completes all assigned duties before end of shift and communicates any required follow-up.

· Adheres to professional dress code.

· Respects and maintains the facility, equipment, and supplies.

· Reports issues with physical plant or equipment appropriately and timely.

· Adapts to changing conditions while maintaining performance.

· Promotes a positive and flexible attitude.

· Maintains an organized education file and meets all mandatory educational requirements.

· Understands principles of growth and development across the lifespan.

· Provides age-appropriate care based on assessment data and patient needs.

· Demonstrates understanding of roles in: Safety Management (Security), Infection Control, Hazardous Materials, Emergency Preparedness, Life Safety, Medical Equipment and Utility Systems.

· Submits documentation of required annual safety training.

· Explains the Fire Plan.

· Explains department’s role in internal/external disasters.

· Identifies hazardous materials in the work area and understands MSDS use.

· Identifies and reports unsafe work conditions.

· Understands basic infection control precautions.

· Reports equipment malfunctions appropriately.

· Completes variance reports correctly.

· Understands types of utility problems and how to report them.

· Explains procedures for notifying appropriate personnel in case of security risks.

· Appropriately releases information to customers per policy.

· Maintains confidentiality of patient and employee information.

· Demonstrates current professional nursing knowledge and skills per Nurse Practice Act and department policy.

· Performs initial physiological assessment upon patient admission.

· Conducts psychosocial assessment; documents and addresses anxiety/distress.

· Identifies patient symptoms or changes and takes timely, appropriate action.

· Verifies patient identity, procedure, and understanding.

· Monitors medication effects and documents observations and actions.

· Maintains ongoing awareness of assigned patient status.

· Collects and communicates appropriate data to care team.

· Implements and documents physician’s orders accurately.

· Evaluates treatment effectiveness.

· Anticipates patient care problems and intervenes to ensure safety.

· Reports unsafe practices/procedures.

· Ensures availability of supplies/equipment.

· Documents: Changes from baseline assessments, Patient responses to interventions (100% completion rate), and Ideas, facts, and care concepts clearly and timely.

· Uses only approved abbreviations.

· Writes legibly.

· Places verbal orders on physician order sheet within 30 minutes.

· Ensures H&P and all pre-procedure documentation are completed.

· Documents unusual occurrences that affect patient care.

· Administers medications and fluids per established protocols.

· Demonstrates understanding of medications, actions, and side effects.

· Responds effectively to emergencies and distress situations.

· Makes decisions based on clinical knowledge, including dysrhythmia management.

· Documents assessment and reassessment per standards.

· Positions patients safely; protects extremities.

· Evaluates physical and psychological response to procedures.

· Evaluates understanding of pre/post procedure instructions.

· Consistently prepared for assigned procedures.

· Has patients in rooms at scheduled times.

· Maintains steady productivity; self-motivated.

· Protects patient privacy and dignity.

· Performs narcotic counts with another staff member.

· Acts as liaison to patient/family, providing timely and accurate information.

· Prepares and cleans room before, between, and after cases.

· Pulls and opens supplies for cases.

· Demonstrates knowledge of safety and PPE.

· Maintains sterile technique throughout procedures.

· Performs surgical preps.

· Maintains orderly environment and adequate supplies.

· Monitors vital signs and administers medications during conscious sedation.

· Follows equipment and supply protocols per Center and manufacturer.

· Assists with patient transport.

· Identifies, logs, and tracks implants.

· Facilitates quick room turnover and setup.

· Stocks and maintains assigned equipment and supplies.

· Delegates tasks appropriately based on staff competency and scope of responsibility.

· Identifies and communicates unit problems; participates in resolution efforts.

· Applies past experiences to present issues to support decision-making.

· Solves minor care, relationship, and equipment issues before management involvement.

· Documents and reports actions taken.

· Demonstrates leadership and sound decision-making.

· Engages management support when needed for resolution.

· Remains flexible in staffing patterns and helps resolve staffing conflicts.

· Maintains awareness of posted schedules and uses personal methods to stay updated on changes.

· Follows established procedures for requesting schedule changes.

· Demonstrates flexibility when requesting time changes.

· Communicates with management when staffing assistance is needed; if support is unavailable, helps adjust assignments and prioritize tasks.

· Acts as the liaison between staff and management.

· Provides guidance and mentorship to newer or less experienced nurses.

· Oversees the nursing staff during their shift.

· Assigns tasks to nurses.

· Acts as a resource and support person for clinical questions or concerns.

· Ensure timely and efficient patient flow.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

At least 5 (five) years of on-the-job experience.

Basic computer knowledge and skills.

REQUIRED LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION:

Has a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State.

Current Basic Life Support certification.

Current ACLS certification preferred or basic EKG or Arrhythmia identification certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served in the Center. Must demonstrate the knowledge of the principle of growth and development of the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s requirements relative to his/her age specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the Center’s policies and procedures.

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common professional and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. Ability to read and communicate effectively in English. Additional languages preferred.

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of basic mathematics. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, medical notes, etc.) in its most difficult phases. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills in the nursing process.

Demonstrates the ability to utilize recognized channels of communication.

Demonstrates the ability to maintain good interpersonal relationships with patients, coworkers, and other health team members.