Charge Nurse-RN - Adult Psychiatric Inpatient - Evenings

Essential Functions:

• Works with the Assistant Nurse Manager to ensure adequate staffing levels and skill mix are maintained for all shifts through the development, preparation and maintenance of staffing schedules that meet department/unit needs and apply to variable census conditions. Makes appropriate adjustments/assignments to maximize timely patient care. Looks to staffing needs into the next matrix.
• Oversees the delivery of patient care. Directs and delegates patient care assignments to staff based on acuteness of patient care needs, staff availability and patient safety.
• Prioritizes and organizes work. Actively takes part in the performance appraisal process by providing input for staff evaluations. Holds staff accountable for performance standards. Assists with interviewing. Mediates staff conflicts and provides feedback concerning performance, behavior, etc..
• Collaborates with the Nurse Manager and the Assistant Nurse Manager on areas of need on the unit (e.g., problematic flow issues, equipment and supplies issues, documentation issues, patient satisfaction issues and performance issues).
• Anticipates and resolves patient/family concerns in a timely manner. Keeps patients and families informed.
• Protects patient confidentiality by promoting professional staff communications.
• Serves as a resource and role model/mentor to charge nurses and staff.
• Provides direct patient care, evaluates outcomes, consults with other specialists as required and adjusts nursing care processes as indicated to ensure optimal patient care.
• Requisitions supplies and equipment, maintenance and repair services and prepares related forms. Keeps stock and equipment inventories.
• Variation of duties may result based on the assigned customer care unit(s). This may include differences in the specific clinical skills required of the RN. Unit based skill lists outline expectations beyond the house wide RN requirements. SYS-NURS-L Nursing Education Requirements Policy outlines current certification(s) required for specific areas of nursing practice and is considered to be part of the job description.

Common Expectations:

• Prepares and maintains written documentation as required by the profession and the department.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the assigned patient population. Assesses and interprets patient age specific data and provides appropriate, age specific treatment. Provides direct patient care to assigned patient age group(s).
• Demonstrates a commitment to patient, visitor and staff by: complying with all applicable safety regulations; learning the impact of medical errors and methodology that will lead to reduction of errors; reporting actual and potential errors, as well as hazardous conditions; identifying opportunities to standardize processes and "error proof" systems that will lead to increased safety; and participating in safety education programs and root cause analyses as required.
• Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assessment, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings, and workshops.
• Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.