RN, Charge-STEPDOWN UNIT

Summary

The RN, Charge Nurse is responsible for partnering with the Nurse Manager and Clinical Coordinator to support and foster safe and efficient patient throughput, team development, and patient experience for assigned area. The RN, Charge Nurse provides direction and supervision of patient care and staff safety on their assigned shift. Implemented strategies and actions are in alignment with Peake of Care guidelines and Relationship Based Care Standards. Positively influences unit culture by demonstrating actions that are in keeping with the organizational and nursing mission, vision, and values.  As a Registered Nurse the Charge Nurse is expected to provide excellent, clinically competent patient care by utilizing the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, implementation, and evaluation; and effectively interact with patients, significant others, and the other healthcare team members while maintaining standards of professional nursing. The RN also determines the effectiveness of nursing interventions by evaluating outcomes in relation to evidenced-based intervention. The primary focus of the RN is to ensure every patient receives quality care and services through the efficient use of resources. The RN functions within the scope and standards of nursing as defined by the American Nurses Association and the Nurse Practice Act of Virginia. As a member of the healthcare team, the RN is responsible for making decisions and performing services that are in the best interest of the patient while positively contributing to the patient's experience and the success of the entire team by placing the patient and the team above the needs of the individual.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

These duties and responsibilities described below represent the general tasks performed on a daily basis; other tasks may be assigned.

Patient Care Support:

• Demonstrate competence in direct patient care for the patient population in assigned areas
• Demonstrate ability to respond in a timely and effective manner to emergency situations; escalates concerns appropriately
• Organize and reprioritize work based on staff needs, patient needs, available resources, and unit requirements
• Make daily patients rounds to evaluate effectiveness of nursing plan of care and patient experience
• Identifies patients at risk for injury and participates in instituting measures to prevent/reduce the risk
• Facilitate patient transfers, admissions, and discharges in a timely manner to ensure effective patient throughput
• Make patient assignments according to staff’s documented and demonstrated competence
• Analyze shift workload to determine the number of team members needed to ensure safe staffing; adjust workload to meet the needs of the patients and unit
• Proactively pursue coverage for staffing needs in collaboration with the Nurse Manager and Clinical Coordinator
• Establish and maintain interdepartmental, collaborative relationships with leaders and front line staff

Team Development Support:

• Foster and model a spirit of teamwork in actions and words
• Demonstrates teamwork in all roles; team member, caregiver, preceptor, and charge nurse
• Serve as a mentor and resource to students and team members
• Support a unit structure and process that is conductive to teamwork, encourages communication, and supports participative management
• Attend required hospital-wide orientations, meetings, and in-services
• Recognize limitations and seek the appropriate assistance when needed
• Demonstrate a commitment to flexible work scheduling when necessary to ensure patient care
• Consult with and keep the Nurse Manager and Clinical Coordinator informed of unit activities, needs, and opportunities

Fiscal Management

• Participates in unit/department fiscal goals (conserves resources, contributes to capture of patient charges and revenue generation)

Supervisory Responsibilities

Reports to: Nurse Manager

Supervises: Nursing staff

Responsibilities: Not applicable

Education and Experience

Minimum Required Education: Must be a Registered Nurse licensed in the State of Virginia or compact state. Specialty areas may require further education.

Preferred Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Preferred Experience: 2 years of experience in a specialized area with Charge Nurse or equivalent supervisory experience

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Applicant must be licensed to work as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia or compact state.  BLS Certification within 90 days of hire.  Additional certifications (i.e.  ACLS, PALS, NRP) are dependent upon patient population and clinical area.