Registered Nurse Charge Nurse

Overview

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for the overall direction and supervision of all nursing department personnel during his/her shift. Ensures patient assignments are correct, assists with treatments or administration of medications as necessary, informs physicians of changes in patient's condition, reviews care of all patients, and acts as overall leader and resource person for the staff.

SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

● Provides care for the Adult or Geriatric patient, ages 18 years and over.

● Demonstrates and understands the importance of and respect for the rights, dignity and

individuality of each patient in all interactions.

● Make equitable patient assignments for staff based on the nurse's ability and patient needs.

● Effectively delegate necessary unit and/or patient related tasks to Nurse Aides, LPNs and/or staff

RNs and assure that assignments are completed promptly and efficiently.

● Monitors and ensures completion of assigned tasks by staff members.

● Makes rounds during assigned shift and responds to emergency situations.

● Responds to patients’ and families’ concerns, ensuring that each concern is documented and a

resolution is initiated.

● Coordinates admission, discharge, and transfer of patients.

● Oversees and coordinates the acquisition of supplies and equipment from Central Supply as

needed by unit per policy and procedure and in collaboration with materials department.

● Review the schedule for adequate staffing on a daily basis and coordinate staffing issues as

needed and utilizes staffing in a cost-effective way by adhering to the staffing matrix (i.e., for

call-ins, refer to algorithms for proper scheduling options).

● Complete shift report at designated times and relay all pertinent patient information in a concise

and efficient manner to oncoming charge nurse keeping the Nurse Manager or others as

appropriate informed about status of patients and related matters. Supervises complete, timely,

and accurate documentation of patient's’ care.

● Demonstrates competence in basic and advanced skills required for delivery of appropriate care

on assigned unit. Provide appropriate clinical assistance to staff members requiring assistance.

● Ensures emergency equipment is operational by checking equipment during assigned shift and

documenting without omissions.

● Acts as Team Leader in Code situations.

● Perform iSTAT instrument testing as outlined in the technical procedures for each test as approved

by the laboratory director.

● Ensures the unit and patient rooms are clean and in a well organized condition.

● Initiates nursing orders for any isolation type on new admissions and maintains up-to-date isolation

precautions ensuring applicable signage is posted.

● Will Monitor and follow all procedures regarding patient telemetry. Notifies Nurse of all telemetry

alarms, document alarms, give shift reports and report any malfunctions or equipment failure.

● Make certain all IV tubing, feeding bags, catheters, dressings, etc., are changed and labeled by

staff members per hospital policies and procedures.

● Actively participates in development, review and/or revision of policies and procedures and keeps

staff informed of new/revised policies and procedures, and review their proper utilization.

● Participates in monitoring of assigned QA activities.

● Attend monthly Charge Nurse and staff meetings, as well as attend and participate in unit

in-service programs.

● Actively participate in the Unit Performance Improvement Plan by coordinating all necessary

review/monitoring assigned activities on the unit and involve other staff members to the fullest

extent feasible. Serves as team leader on Process Improvement team while soliciting additional

appropriate team members.

● Ensures safe, effective, and cost-effective patient care practices and reports to supervisor.

● Effectively utilizes the chain-of-command to secure assistance and guidance for problems related

to patient care, staff and/or unit problems.

● Review dietary log form for correct information.Complete daily census.

● Demonstrates proficiency in Cerner, STAR, and Healthland including ordering or canceling

physician orders.

● Resolves Omnicell discrepancies according to policy and procedure.

● Ensures completeness of forms (i.e. EMTALA, Incident Reports, ROI, Lifeshare, Record of Death,

etc.)

● Coordinates and plans nursing interventions with Therapies.

● Communicates with the host hospital nursing supervisor when necessary (i.e. bed arrangements,

dietary, etc.)

● Demonstrates procedures related to the use of nursing equipment and supplies.

● Demonstrates willingness to try new tasks; generates new ideas for change; evaluates and

recognizes priorities; communicates and models organizational values; fosters high performance;

Responsibilities

STANDARD JOB DUTIES

● Adheres to all components of the Hospital Compliance Plan in performing job duties and reports

any violations or suspected violations of the Plan to the Compliance Officer.

● Demonstrates professional conduct and complies with hospital and departmental policies and

procedures.

● Adheres to hospital attendance policy as outlined in the Employee Handbook.

● Complies with measures for preventing exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

● Participates in the Hazardous Material Program; hazards include exposure to blood and body

fluids, possible communicable diseases, sharp objects and instruments, assorted chemicals and

gasses as listed in the Hazardous Materials Program Manual.

● Complies with established Safety and Patient Safety Program practices.

● Performs other incidental and related duties, as required and/or assigned.

● Develops an understanding of responsibilities for recognizing patient abuse and follows policy for

making appropriate referrals/interventions.

● Develops an understanding of responsibilities for participation in Performance Improvement

activities and participates in such activities.

● Limits access to protected health information (PHI) to the information reasonably necessary to do

the job, and shares such information only on a need-to-know basis for work purposes.

(Access to verbal, written and electronic PHI for this job has been determined based on job level and job responsibility within the organization. Computerized access to PHI for this job has been determined as described above and is controlled via user ID and password.)

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Education/Experience:Current RN license to practice in state of employment..Computer Skills: Knowledge of basic computer skills and word processing.Certificates and Licenses: Current RN license to practice by the state of employment. Must have BLS upon hire or 6 weeks from hire date and obtain ACLS certification within 90 days of employment. Must maintain licenses and certification for the duration of employment.Supervisory Responsibilities: Nursing staff (LPN and CNA or PCT, Unit Assistant, Telemetry Tech)