Charge Nurse - Med Surg Inpatient

Overview

Positively impact patient care and outcomes by leading staff, managing operational processes and ensuring that patient needs are met; utilizing best practices and leadership skills to reach their maximum potential as frontline leaders. 

Responsibilities

Clinical Practice

• Identifies and addresses psychosocial needs of patients and families; communicates with Case Manager regarding both in-hospital and post discharge needs.
• Provide support to MedSurg and SCU, and to be a resource for all staff during shift.
• Takes patient assignment when census is high or to cover sick call/vacation.

Supervisory

• Takes charge assignment, overseeing other staff RN's, LPN's, LNA's and Health Unit Coordinators.
• Oversees and monitors patient care/staff assignments, to include patient rounding and prioritizing staff needs for the shift.
• Oversees, and is primary clinical resource for Staff LPNs; to include administering initial dose of IV push medications, perform initial head-t-toe assessment for LPN admissions, initiate/discontinue restraints, and any other tasks not allowed by LPN license constraints.
• Facilitates staff breaks and meals.
• Responds properly to changes in workload, adjusting assignments s necessary to achieve optimal productivity and efficiency.
• Provides direction and coordination during emergency situations, i.e., disasters, fires, and code situations, including drills for such situations.

Administrative

• Assists the nurse Manager in the planning, organizing, directing, implementation and evaluating of nursing care and activities of an assigned nursing unit.
• Recommends and helps to implement new technology and changes in hospital policy and procedures.
• Assists in cost containment through the appropriate ordering and conserving of supplies and equipment.
• Assist with making scheduling adjustments to cover staffing vacancies.
• Assists the Nurse Manager in implementation and evaluation of performance improvement indicators and quality initiatives to improve patient outcomes and the work environment. 

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Delegation, problem solving, and organizational skills.
• Leadership and supervisory skills.   
• Clinical experience required with a minimum 2 years of relevant experience in acute care setting to include, but not limited to:  Vascular Access Management, NG Tube Placement and Management, Wound/Skin Care, Telemetry/Cardiac Dysrhythmias, EKGs, Tube Feedings, Accessing/De-accessing Mediports
• Supervisory experience preferred
• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

Required Licensure/Certifications

REQUIRED LICENSE(S): • Licensed RN with NH eligibility REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS: • (BLS) Basic Life Support • (ACLS) Advanced Cardiac Life Support