Charge Nurse

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Charge RN provides direct patient care while overseeing daily clinical operations to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality service delivery. This role supports patient flow, staff coordination, and acts as a clinical resource for the nursing team. The Charge RN also participates in quality improvement, staff mentorship, and policy compliance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Communicates openly, directly, tactfully, and effectively.

· Appreciates and respects others’ needs, opinions, and concerns.

· Conducts self courteously and professionally in all interactions with physicians, patients, families, visitors, the public, and co-workers.

· Demonstrates sincere concern for the needs of all customers.

· Demonstrates knowledge and compliance with Patient Rights, including patient confidentiality and privacy.

· Resolves interpersonal conflicts independently and positively.

· Seeks appropriate assistance when needed to resolve interpersonal conflicts.

· Submits current licensure and/or certification documentation in a timely manner.

· Encourages and promotes cross-training for professional growth and overall Center function.

· Actively participates in staff meetings, committees, quality improvement projects, and special assignments.

· Keeps up to date with policies, procedures, protocols, and clinical practices.

· Functions within scope of practice based on licensure, education, skills, and experience.

· Recognizes own limitations and seeks guidance as necessary.

· Participates in orientation or preceptorship of new or transferred employees; serves as a positive role model.

· Reports to work on time.

· Follows appropriate call-in procedures for absence or lateness.

· Completes all assigned duties before end of shift and communicates any required follow-up.

· Adheres to professional dress code.

· Respects and maintains the facility, equipment, and supplies.

· Reports issues with physical plant or equipment appropriately and timely.

· Adapts to changing conditions while maintaining performance.

· Promotes a positive and flexible attitude.

· Maintains an organized education file and meets all mandatory educational requirements.

· Understands principles of growth and development across the lifespan.

· Provides age-appropriate care based on assessment data and patient needs.

· Demonstrates understanding of roles in: Safety Management (Security), Infection Control, Hazardous Materials, Emergency Preparedness, Life Safety, Medical Equipment and Utility Systems.

· Submits documentation of required annual safety training.

· Explains the Fire Plan.

· Explains department’s role in internal/external disasters.

· Identifies hazardous materials in the work area and understands MSDS use.

· Identifies and reports unsafe work conditions.

· Understands basic infection control precautions.

· Reports equipment malfunctions appropriately.

· Completes variance reports correctly.

· Understands types of utility problems and how to report them.

· Explains procedures for notifying appropriate personnel in case of security risks.

· Appropriately releases information to customers per policy.

· Maintains confidentiality of patient and employee information.

· Demonstrates current professional nursing knowledge and skills per Nurse Practice Act and department policy.

· Performs initial physiological assessment upon patient admission.

· Conducts psychosocial assessment; documents and addresses anxiety/distress.

· Identifies patient symptoms or changes and takes timely, appropriate action.

· Verifies patient identity, procedure, and understanding.

· Monitors medication effects and documents observations and actions.

· Maintains ongoing awareness of assigned patient status.

· Collects and communicates appropriate data to care team.

· Implements and documents physician’s orders accurately.

· Evaluates treatment effectiveness.

· Anticipates patient care problems and intervenes to ensure safety.

· Reports unsafe practices/procedures.

· Ensures availability of supplies/equipment.

· Documents: Changes from baseline assessments, Patient responses to interventions (100% completion rate), and Ideas, facts, and care concepts clearly and timely.

· Uses only approved abbreviations.

· Writes legibly.

· Places verbal orders on physician order sheet within 30 minutes.

· Ensures H&P and all pre-procedure documentation are completed.

· Documents unusual occurrences that affect patient care.

· Administers medications and fluids per established protocols.

· Demonstrates understanding of medications, actions, and side effects.

· Responds effectively to emergencies and distress situations.

· Makes decisions based on clinical knowledge, including dysrhythmia management.

· Documents assessment and reassessment per standards.

· Positions patients safely; protects extremities.

· Evaluates physical and psychological response to procedures.

· Evaluates understanding of pre/post procedure instructions.

· Consistently prepared for assigned procedures.

· Has patients in rooms at scheduled times.

· Maintains steady productivity; self-motivated.

· Protects patient privacy and dignity.

· Performs narcotic counts with another staff member.

· Acts as liaison to patient/family, providing timely and accurate information.

· Prepares and cleans room before, between, and after cases.

· Pulls and opens supplies for cases.

· Demonstrates knowledge of safety and PPE.

· Maintains sterile technique throughout procedures.

· Performs surgical preps.

· Maintains orderly environment and adequate supplies.

· Monitors vital signs and administers medications during conscious sedation.

· Follows equipment and supply protocols per Center and manufacturer.

· Assists with patient transport.

· Identifies, logs, and tracks implants.

· Facilitates quick room turnover and setup.

· Stocks and maintains assigned equipment and supplies.

· Delegates tasks appropriately based on staff competency and scope of responsibility.

· Identifies and communicates unit problems; participates in resolution efforts.

· Applies past experiences to present issues to support decision-making.

· Solves minor care, relationship, and equipment issues before management involvement.

· Documents and reports actions taken.

· Demonstrates leadership and sound decision-making.

· Engages management support when needed for resolution.

· Remains flexible in staffing patterns and helps resolve staffing conflicts.

· Maintains awareness of posted schedules and uses personal methods to stay updated on changes.

· Follows established procedures for requesting schedule changes.

· Demonstrates flexibility when requesting time changes.

· Communicates with management when staffing assistance is needed; if support is unavailable, helps adjust assignments and prioritize tasks.

· Acts as the liaison between staff and management.

· Provides guidance and mentorship to newer or less experienced nurses.

· Oversees the nursing staff during their shift.

· Assigns tasks to nurses.

· Acts as a resource and support person for clinical questions or concerns.

· Ensure timely and efficient patient flow.