Charge Nurse

CHARGE NURSE (FT)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Charge Nurse works to promote good health and prevent illness.

Educates patients and the public about various medical conditions

Treats patients and help in their rehabilitation

Provides advice and emotional support to patients' families.

Use considerable judgment in providing a wide variety of services.

Focuses on the overall care of patients by administering medications under the supervision of doctors and keep records of symptoms and progress.

May supervise Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNS), other Registered Nurses (RNs), and Patient Care Techs (PCTs).

Makes room and nurse assignments for patients.

Ensures all patients have received a daily RN assessment.

Efficient and knowledgeable in all skills and policy and procedures of the unit.

Provides direct patient care as needed.

Assigns lunches and breaks as needed for staff.

Ensures smooth and efficient patient flow within the unit.

Anticipates and addresses physician needs and concerns.

Communicates problems involving personnel, medical staff, patients, families, and general public to appropriate management personnel.

Makes assignments according to the needs of the patient and the capabilities and needs of staff.

Displays a positive attitude that contributes to the overall customer service program in place at the hospital.

OVERVIEW

The evaluation is to assure individual performance, departmental goals and organizational goals are aligned. It is designed to support communication between the manager and the employee. Employee perception of their own performance is very important. To maximize the benefit of this process, both the manager and the employee participate in the evaluation process.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Excellent customer service skills.

Reads and understands the English language.

Ability to think critically and analytically with little or no supervision.

Ability to work effectively in situations of high stress and conflict and communicate goals and outcomes.

Ability to process information and prioritize.

Possesses exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

Possesses independent work habits, is self-reliant and self-directed.

Ability to learn, adapt, and change as required by the job functions.

Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality of material and information accessed and reviewed.

Basic computer literacy.

Ability to move freely, reach, bend, and complete light lifting.

Ability to use good body mechanics while performing daily job functions and ability to follow specific OSHA guidelines.

Ability to maintain attendance to meet standard job practices.

Attends 75% of scheduled unit conferences.

Attends 50% of Shared Governance meetings.

Proficient in Ultrasound IV insertion and care.

Full-time charge nurses will be required to work a 48/36 hour a week rotation unless in times of low census or PTO is used.

2. Education

RN - Associate Degree

BSN - preferred but not required

3. Licensure

Licensed in good standing with the Georgia Board of Nursing and EKG Course.

BLS

ACLS

PALS

4. Experience

1 - 2 years' experience preferred.

5. Interpersonal skills

Positive and effective communication skills

6. Essential technical/motor skills

7. Essential physical requirements

Heavy: Exert 50 - 100 lb. of force occasionally and/or up to 30 lb. of force frequently - >75%

8. Essential mental requirements

9. Essential sensory requirements

10. Basic skills as defined by licensure/certification.

11. Equipment used

12. Exposure to hazards (body fluid exposure level)

Level I

13. Age of Patient Populations Served

Neonates 1 - 30 days

Infants 30 days - 1 year

Children 1 - 12 years

Adolescents 13 - 18 years

Adults 19 - 70 years

Geriatrics - 70 years

JOB SPECIFIC DUTIES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Below are those tasks, duties, and responsibilities that comprise the means of accomplishing the position's purpose and objectives. These are critical or fundamental to the performance of the position. They are the major functions for which the person in the position is held accountable. Following are the essential functions of the position, along with the corresponding performance standards.

Assesses and diagnoses patient and family needs in order to provide quality care to assigned patients as evidenced by:

 Performs admission assessment in accordance with specific unit standards.

 Identifies and documents patient/family/significant other teaching needs on admission

 Identifies discharge planning needs of patient/family/significant other on admission.

 Verification of patient identity.

 Verification of patient allergies, NPO status.

 Checks current history and physical, laboratory results, the execution of pre-procedure orders and results of ordered diagnostics, if applicable.

Develops, discusses, and communicates a realistic problem list (plan of care) in collaboration with each patient/family/significant other in order to address all identified needs as evidenced by:

 Plan of care will include nursing diagnosis statement for each identified problem.

 Develops patient/family/significant other teaching and discharge plan as per unit standard.

 Assembles necessary supplies/equipment prior to start of case.

 Checks for availability and proper condition of necessary supplies and equipment.

Demonstrates the skills and judgment necessary to implement medical plan of care, nursing interventions, and procedures as necessary for the care of the patient as evidenced by:

 Demonstrates knowledge of hospital policies and procedures for administering, transcribing, and recording medications.

 Demonstrates knowledge of commonly used meds: action, dose, and side effects.

 Observes five RN's for administering meds: right patient, right drug, right dose, right method, right time.

 Demonstrates proper procedures in all methods of medication administration.

 Administers blood and blood products following hospital policy and procedures.

 Initiates and maintains IV access according to hospital policy and procedures.

 Assesses and documents IV site per unit standard.

 Identifies priorities and executes nursing care appropriately.

 Provides emotional support and comfort measures.

 Correctly collects and accurately labels specimens.

Evaluates and reassesses the identified problems, care provided and patient's responses in order to meet patient and family needs to ensure overall quality of care delivered as evidenced by:

 Reassessment of plan of care is done per unit standard.

 Assesses the patient/significant other's response to teaching plan in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan.

 Based on reassessment, plan of care will remain the same or be modified to meet the patient/significant other's identified needs.

 Documents outcomes of patient care.

Maintains up to date and accurate documentation of nursing care provided to ensure the integration of information for use by the healthcare team, in order to ensure quality care as evidenced by:

 Nursing assessment is complete and accurate per unit standard.

 Day surgery record/form accurately reflects nursing interventions and medical plan of care.

 Discharge plan and documentation accurately reflects patient and/or significant other's ability to manage care after discharge.

 Referrals are made based on identified needs.

 Interagency communication referral forms are complete and accurate.

 Documents use of narcotics according to hospital policy and procedure.

 Accurately and promptly documents unusual occurrences notes during the patient stay.

Maintains current knowledge/certification/licensure. Pursues professional growth and development as evidenced by:

 Practices within legal boundaries of nurse practice act and according to hospital policy and procedures.

 Attends continuing education programs in order to maintain licensure. Recommendation to attend at least one seminar per year in your area of practice.

 Attends hospital-sponsored training programs as required by department.

Performs all responsibilities/duties required by the unit/department as defined in the scope of service, to ensure that the unique nature of the patient is addressed as evidenced by:

 Demonstrates the ability to rapidly assess the patient, differentiating between long and short-term needs.

 Patients are discharged from the unit/department with consideration given to age and mobility.

 Discharge instructions are thorough and clear. Signatures obtained as per policy.

 Demonstrates knowledge of conscious sedation agents, techniques, and actions.

 Patients prepared for their procedure(s) and chart completed in timely manner.

 Properly demonstrates ability to recognize cardiac rhythms and to treat arrhythmias appropriately.

Attends all required safety training programs and can describe his/her responsibilities related to general safety, department/service safety, and specific job-related hazards.

Meets clinical competencies for age-specific competencies as evidenced during skill competency check-offs.

Follows the hospital exposure control plans/blood borne and airborne pathogens as evidenced by:

 Demonstrates knowledge of techniques, procedures, and correct use of protective barrier equipment.

 Attends annual education programs.

 Wears and/or uses appropriate safety equipment.

Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment as evidenced by:

 Interacts with all of the above in a considerate, helpful, and courteous manner as observed by nurse manager and peers.

 Fosters mature professional relationships with fellow employees in a courteous, friendly manner as measured by management observation and peer input.

 Maintains professional composure and confidence during stressful situations.

 Maintains open communication using appropriate chain of command regarding issues.

 Conducts all work activities with respect for rights and wishes of patients, visitors, families, and fellow employees.

 Maintains confidentiality of all hospital and patient information at all times.

 Presents neat appearance in proper attire and identification as required by hospital policy.

Assumes all other duties and responsibilities as necessary.