Charge Nurse Outpatient Clinic

The Charge Nurse ensures that the ANA scope and standards of practice and the code of ethics for nurses are the foundation for nursing practice. This role in the organization is expected to promote high quality care, outcomes, nursing research and evidence-based practice and to contribute to building and maintaining a strong environment that facilitates collaboration with the transdisciplinary healthcare team to achieve quality outcomes. The Charge Nurse interacts with and contributes to the professional development and image of all unit staff practicing in an Open Governance model of nursing practice. In this role, the Charge Nurse contributes to driving progress in the nursing department of Shepherd Center. The Charge Nurse has primary accountabilities for effective clinical and personnel management of the unit for a given shift. The intrathecal infusion RN meets the needs of patients with implanted intrathecal pump (ITP) devices through comprehensive patient assessments, nursing interventions, pump refills, dose adjustments, and patient education. This RN demonstrates professional leadership while providing nursing care under the direct supervision of the physician within the clinic setting. Care is reviewed and adapted accordingly to physician and patient goals.

• ccountable for the coordination of nursing care, including direct patient care, patient/family education and transitions of care.

• Supports professional nursing practice across practices settings and across the continuum of care to meet the needs of the patient and family.

• Functions within the nursing care model, which includes accountability for planning, implementing, evaluating, and communicating all phases of nursing care for assigned patients.

• Provides leadership through activities such as preceptor role, informal leadership roles, and quality improvement efforts.

• Delegates patient care according to skill level, experience, patient acuity, fiscal accountability, and adequacy of resources.

• Communicates patient care, departmental issues, and staff concerns to the appropriate leaders.

• Serves as a resource for guidance and assistance to the staff.

• Collaborates and supports the plan of care as established by the interdisciplinary team and prescribes interventions to attain the expected outcomes.

• Performs consistent with Shepherd Center standards, clinical policies, and procedures.

• Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures. Responsible for the reporting of employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues in the occurrence notification system.  

• Actively participates in center-wide efforts that affect nursing practice.

• Adheres to patient/family centered principles using the communication and engagement tools (OARS/AIDECT).

• May participate on committees or projects.

• Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures. Responsible for the reporting of employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the supervisor and in the occurrence notification system.  

• Monitors and ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, organizational standards, and policies and procedures related to area of responsibility. Identifies potential risk areas within area of responsibility and supports problem resolution process.

• Performs other duties as required/requested/assigned.

Responsible for all elements of the nursing process including assessment, nursing diagnosis, outcomes/planning, implementation, and evaluation. In addition to the primary job functions, this nurse also provides telephonic support and other nursing needs of the department. Acts as a resource for patients, caregivers, clinical staff, external case managers, and the overall healthcare team.

Collaborates with the prescribing physician/APP, patient, and caregiver(s) to ensure orders for intrathecal therapy are appropriate and actionable.

Performs job duties in a manner consistent with the American Nurses Association and all applicable State Board of Nursing standards. Successfully completes the assigned training program & associated competencies upon hire to include serial observations and return demonstrations. Promotes integrative care techniques to assist the patient with symptom management to improve quality of life and safety; maintains patient records in compliance with Shepherd Center policies as well as state and regulatory bodies. Monitors and updates EHR as well as manufacturer’s device portal for intrathecal pump therapy. Ensures close monitoring of all outpatients receiving ongoing intrathecal therapy, which includes scheduled pump refills, interrogations, and dosage adjustments as directed by the physician. ITP nurse will also round monthly across all inpatient, post acute, and outpatient areas to confirm uploads of our interrogators have occurred.

Educates patients and caregivers and promotes informed decisions and integrative care to assist the patient with symptom management while collaborating with physician/APP to achieve overall goals of intrathecal drug therapy. Tailors' education to demonstrate age and cultural competence.

Strong clinical background to demonstrate a mastery of standard protocols vs. urgent responses & interventions. Demonstrates ability to quickly assess and react to changes in patient conditions, signs and symptoms of overdose or withdrawal from intrathecal therapy. Recognizes other secondary complications of ITP therapy including medication adverse interactions, infection, catheter displacement, and other neurologic implications.

BLS and ACLS certification required.

*Other job duties and special projects as assigned.

Required Minimum Education:

• BSN from an accredited school of nursing is preferred.

Required Minimum Certification:

• BLS required.

• ACLS required for the Pain Clinic within twelve months of start date.

• Active Georgia RN license or NLC/eNLC Multistate License.

• Required Minimum Skills:

  • Basic computer skills.

  • Skillful in mentoring and teaching.

  • Basic competencies are expected in nursing practice, patient and employee safety, infection control, performance improvement, practice innovation, professional nursing practice, standards of clinical nursing practice, and systems for patient safety.

  • Demonstrates competency in time management, organization, prioritization and critical thinking by planning and organizing work assignments and prioritizing the specific needs of the patient.

  • Ability to assess patient and family needs and coordinate appropriate nursing plan of care.

  • Takes responsibility for growing professionally and seek opportunities for improving skills.

  • Communicates effectively using timely verbal, non-verbal and written communication.

  • Willingly adapts to changing work demands and work environment.

  • Demonstrates critical thinking skills and makes sound judgments to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition.

  • Maintains congenial working relationships with RNs and others.

  • Completes orientation and initial assessment of competency successfully by determined due date.

  • Completes mandatory education and annual competency assessment requirements by determined due date.

  Preferred Qualifications:

  • Previous experience with patients with Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, and/or behavioral health preferred.

  Physical Demands:

  • Uses body, tools, or special devices to safely, effectively, and efficiently to move, guide, or place patients. Involves some latitude for judgement with regard to precision attained and the selection of what adaptive device(s) to utilize.

  • Ability to transfer and position patients, consistent with lifting up to 50 lbs.

  Working Conditions:

  • Normal patient care environment.

  • Some potential for exposure to blood and body fluids.

  • Some potential exposure to infectious viruses.