Charge Nurse

Job Objective: To provide supervision, leadership, and direction in the endoscopy centers

Scope of responsibilities and accountability:

· Reports directly to Center Manager

· Accountable for the coordination of nursing services in partnership with the Nurse Manager of the endoscopy center.

· Practices within the scope of the Ohio Nurse Practice Act and approved center policies and procedures.

· Responsible for daily operations of the center.

· Ensures center efficiency by daily/monthly monitoring staffing needs, schedules, and patient load.

Major activities and essential job functions1:

· Assure the provision of all day-to-day endoscopy activities by overseeing staffing needs.

· Responsible for direct patient care: assess the physical and psychosocial status of patients through review of data, direct observation, vital sign monitoring and/or consultation with other health care providers to provide optimal care pre-procedure, during procedure and post-procedure.

· Direct staff in patient care activities of the center.

· Support and promote patient/family centered care by insuring patients and their families are active partners of the health care team.

· Ensure AAAHC accreditation standards, CMS regulations and all other designated standards of nursing practice are maintained within the center.

· Implement updated policies as directed by the Director of Nursing.

· Assist Manager in maintaining medications for center supply, crash cart supply, and anesthesia carts.

· Ensure daily facility checklists are complete.

· When needed, work with other location Charge nurses on center patient case load, rescheduling patients as needed.

· Oversee weekly assignment schedules, arranging staff to locations as needed, minimizing OT.

· Meet on a regular basis with the Manager for training and development of staff.

· Participates in new employee orientation, acts as a preceptor, or assigns preceptor for new staff.

· Acts as a liaison and resource for center staff.

· Maintains patients’ rights of privacy and confidentiality.

· Communicates effectively with all members of the healthcare team.

· Performs all other duties as assigned2

Position Qualifications:

· Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing with current license to practice in the State of Ohio

· Minimum of three years recent and relevant clinical experience

· Responsible for maintaining current ACLS & BLS certification

· Effective verbal and written communication skills, excellent interpersonal relation skills

· Knowledgeable in gastroenterological nursing and ambulatory care

Regulatory Requirements/Risks/Exposures:

· Works with chemicals including, but not limited to, chlorine bleach, glutaraldehyde and fomalin

· Physical demand requirements meet those defined as HEAVY work, exerting 50 – 100 pounds of force occasionally, 25 – 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 1 – 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.