Charge Nurse

Job Summary:

• Coordinates activities of personnel on assigned shift(s) to maintain continuity of care, patient flow and throughput accountability.
• Arranges for staffing levels according to acuities and census.
• Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates nursing and hospital standards and unit policies and procedures for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating patient functional status.

Job Responsibilities:

• Uses the nursing process and physician orders to develop individualized patient care plans.
• Provides care/interventions based upon the individual care plan; continually assesses the effects of interventions, medication and treatments.
• Participates in discharge planning.
• Assists in guiding/directing nursing staff in utilizing these processes.
• Documents steps in the nursing process in the medical record utilizing appropriate medical terminology and hospital-approved abbreviations.
• Reports observations and findings regarding patients to the appropriate person and records those observations accurately and concisely.
• Complies with all health systems, hospital and unit safety guidelines.
• Coordinates maintenance of safe and satisfactory environmental conditions for staff and patients through continuous monitoring of units for compliance with safety and infection control programs, policies, and procedures.
• Verbalizes understanding of patient safety goals as applicable to unit.
• Responds effectively to patient emergencies.
• Applies teaching/learning principles in the promotion of patient health education based upon identified goals.
• Provides patient/family education throughout hospital stay and at time of discharge to address learning needs associated with tests, procedures, hospital routine, medications post-discharge care, etc.
• Assists in guiding/directing nursing staff in utilizing these processes.
• Investigate patient and staff complaints; investigate patient care incidents and reports to nurse manager; functions as a patient and family advocate at all times.
• Completes variance reports according to established guidelines to document unusual occurrences.
• Meets system, hospital and unit-specific competencies annually.
• Supports system/hospital/unit goals by attending staff meetings, in-services and educational offerings.
• Practice self-direction by assuming responsibility and accountability for professional growth.
• Participate in: economical utilization of supplies and ensures that equipment is maintained in a clean/safe manner; orientation of new personnel and supports assimilation of new team members; performance improvement process by assisting in monitoring quality, appropriateness, patient care; projects/processes designed to improve patient outcomes.
• Perform additional duties as assigned or required.

Decision Making:

• Independent judgment in planning sequence of operations and making minor decisions in a complex technical or professional field.

Working Relationship:

• Coordinates activities of others (does not supervise).
• Leads others in same work performed (does not supervise).
• Has input on performance evaluations but does not prepare or give.
• Works directly with patients and/or customers.
• Works with internal customers via telephone or face-to-face interaction.
• Works with external customers via telephone or face to face interaction.
• Works with other healthcare professionals and staff.

Required Education:

• Has completed the basic professional curricula of a school of nursing as approved and verified by a state board of nursing and holds.
• Is entitled to hold a diploma or degree therefrom.

Required Certifications & Licensure:

• Valid multi-state or State of Oklahoma Registered Nurse License.

Required Skills & Experience:

• One (1) - two (2) years of related experience.
• Demonstrates ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.
• Demonstrates the ability to facilitate communication between nursing and other departments of the facility to ensure continuity and collaboration of services.
• Demonstrates knowledge of policy and procedures related to education, human resources, safety, fire/emergency preparedness, infection control, MSDS.
• Demonstrates the ability to perform crisis intervention and triage.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the delivery of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Knowledge of principles and methods of management and effective supervision, of organization standards for facility and departmental regulations, policies, and procedures and professional psychiatric nursing theory, practices, techniques and procedures.
• Skill in analyzing complex situations, making responsible decisions and in communicating agency procedures and requirements in a clear, concise manner.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work in an effective and efficient manner.
• Effective interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Skillful change agent with a high degree of commitment that creates an environment where change can occur.
• Knowledge of a wide range of psychosocial, cognitive and/or developmental disorders.
• Basic PC skills as required for electronic documentation and data review.