Charge Nurse

Under general supervision of the Nurse Manager, the Charge Nurse provides professional nursing skills utilizing the nursing process in the delivery of patient care.  Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates the care for assigned patients.  Serves as a patient advocate within the health care system.  Responsible for performing patient care requiring specialized training and skill.  Acquires and maintains knowledge and skill required to perform patient care in a specialty service/area.  Accountable for assuring the safety, comfort, care, and treatment of patients according to legal, ethical, professional and institutional standards.  Participates in the hospital’s Quality Improvement and Service Excellence programs.  Demonstrates understanding of the philosophy and objectives, and adheres to policies and procedures of the department and organization.  Acts as unit shift supervisor to ensure safe effective patient care and adherence to all Joint Commission standards. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Every effort has been made to make this job description as complete as possible.  However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties the incumbent will be required to perform.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is a logical assignment to the position.
• Completes daily assignment sheets and updates patient assignments on white board as soon as assignments are made.  Rounds on patients.
• Monitors patient care activities by the staff and ensuring completion- (i.e. baths, turning).  Ensures all staff members follow policy and procedure, assist with the flow of the unit including admissions and discharges, encourages staff members to work as a team, reports all concerns or disciplinary issues to manager or director.
• Troubleshoots problems that arise on the unit and informs management of potential problems.
• Provides shift report to oncoming charge nurse. Ensures change of shift rounds are done together.  
• Delivers appropriate care to patients, at a competent level, according to the needs of the patient and population served.  Utilizes the nursing process to assess, plan, provide, document and evaluate care.
• Coordinates the planning for delivery of nursing care with a multidisciplinary team and administers appropriate clinical decisions in the delivery of patient care.
• Collaborates and directs healthcare team in attainment of positive outcomes based on data, research, evidence and professional standards of care. Meets treatment goals; develops/implements discharge/ transfer plans; evaluates the quality of patient care and contributes to the revision of standards of care.
• Ensures safe care to patients adhering to policies/procedures/standards of care, within budgetary specifications, including time/supply management and accuracy of practice.
• Adheres to Hospital Policy on the assessment, ordering, application, consent, and monitoring of the patient when restraints are employed.
• Performs patient care and infection control audits as assigned, including weekly hand Hygiene audit, daily Central Line audit and ensures no narcotic discrepancies need to be resolved each shift.
• Demonstrates an understanding of patient rights, including those pertaining to confidentiality, informed consent and privacy.
• Demonstrates adaptability, problem solving and professional behavior at all times.
• Participates in a systemic, interdisciplinary, and ongoing evaluation of programs, process improvement, and desired client-centered outcomes.
• Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education, competence validation; supports department-based goals which contributed to the success of the organization; serves as preceptor, mentor and resource to less experienced staff.
• Actively participates in survey readiness activities and assures the unit is compliant with all regulatory standards.
• Abides by the HMH Legal Compliance Code of Conduct.
• Maintains patient confidentiality and appropriate handling of PHI.
• Maintains a safe work environment and reports safety concerns appropriately.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education: Graduate of a school of professional nursing.
• Experience: Three years of nursing experience preferred.
• Licensure/Certification: Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Texas, or immediately eligible.  Basic Life Support certification and Advanced Cardiac Life Support required prior to working first shift in Emergency Department.  Pediatric Advanced Life Support (or ENPC) certifications required within 6 months of employment.  TNCC required within 18 months of employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Frequent: standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling & reaching.
• Occasional: sitting, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, & twisting.
• Visual and hearing acuity required; Color vision required for perceiving changes in patients’ skin color and colors of medicines and solutions.  Work is mostly inside, with good ventilation and comfortable temperature.
• Possible exposure to: toxic/caustic chemicals or detergents, moving mechanical parts, potential electric shock, radiant energy, communicable diseases, blood borne pathogens.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Wellness Resources