Position Summary:

Reporting to the Nurse Supervisor, the Registered Nurse Charge Nurse is responsible for Reporting to the Family Medicine Nursing Supervisor or designee. A charge nurse supervises and support nursing and medical assistance staff, while also treating a limited number of patients. They are responsible for maintaining a high level of patient care, assisting in evaluating nurses and medical assistance and acting as an educational resource for nurses and medical assistance. The charge nurse must delegate tasks to nurses and medical assistants, support staffing as needed, order required supplies, maintain compliance with key polices.

The nurse is responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care for patients seen in his/her unit. The Registered Nurse performs a variety of direct and indirect patient care activities. The Registered Nurse also directs the practice of medical assistants and Licensed Practical Nurses and performs charge nurse responsibilities. The Registered Nurse is accountable to perform in accordance with Health Center Policy and Procedures, the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing, and standards set by the ANA.

The RN promotes patients self-management and empowers patients/families to achieve maximum levels of wellness and independence. The RN will actively engage in care team huddles, clinical meetings, and quality improvement activities. The RN will seek opportunities to learn from others, be open to adapting best practices into their work and effectively communicate those areas which they feel uncomfortable or need to improve upon to their supervisors. The RN will contribute to the orientation and development of new personnel, as well as mentor peers and promote collaborative teamwork. The RN is committed to the constant pursuit of organizational excellence and improving the health status of the community.

Primary Responsibilities:

Nursing Assessment

• Assess and triage patients
• Collect data, history and information including pertinent vital signs
• Review the medical record

Treatment Plan of Care

• Collaborate and plan treatment with patient, family, providers and multi-disciplinary team

Implementation Plan

• Implements the individualized plan to achieve high quality patient care
• Implement provider’s orders.
• Effectively advocates to achieve optimal patient care.
• Prepares patient, chaperones and assists with MD exam.

Evaluation and Revision of Treatment Plan

• Evaluate the patient’s response to treatment plan

Patient Safety

• Assures that service standards, policies and procedures meet or exceed regulatory standards (JAHCO, DPH, MA Board of Nursing etc.)
• Applies the principles of standard precautions

Worksite

• Maintain a safe patient care environment

Supervise and Delegate

• Oversee duties and activities of medical assistants and LPN’s
• Delegates tasks to appropriate personnel

Administration

• Coordinate daily administrative duties, including schedules, nursing, and medical assistance
• assignments.
• Participate in chart audits related to patient care
• Provide feedback to the nursing supervisor on staff performance evaluation
• Participate in JC rounds
• Participate in audits for the units
• Protects patients and employees by developing and interpreting infection-control policies and protocols; enforcing medication administration and storage procedures, maintains and monitors medication and vaccine par levels and putting safeguards in place to ensure expired meds and supplies are removed and properly disposed.
• Ordering of medical and office supplies
• Assisting with assigning break/lunch for staff
• Ensure the unit runs efficiently per standard and regulation
• Assist in creating the master and weekly schedules
• Primary Vaccine Coordinator
• Ordering Vaccines
• Overseeing proper receipt and storage of vaccine deliveries
• Removing expired vaccines from the units
• Rotating vaccines at least weekly so vaccines with earliest expiration dates are used first.
• Responding to out-of-range temperatures (temp excursion)
• Ensuring staff is properly trained in conjunction with the Clinical Educator and Nurse Leaders.
• Overseeing emergency preparations, including plans for ensuring safety of vaccine during emergencies including adverse weather conditions.
• Ensuring appropriate handling of vaccines during disaster or power outages

Qualifications and Skills:

RN from an accredited nursing school, current MA license, and current CPR certification. Three (3) years overall experience preferred, with at least 2 years in Adult and Pediatric acute care, and medical/surgical environment. Bilingual capability in Spanish and/or Haitian Creole desired.