Charge Nurse

Charge Nurse (FT)

The Charge Nurse works to promote good health and prevent illness. Educates patients and the public about various medical conditions. Treats patients and help in their rehabilitation. Provides advice and emotional support to patients' families. Use considerable judgment in providing a wide variety of services. Focuses on the overall care of patients by administering medications under the supervision of doctors and keep records of symptoms and progress.

May supervise Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNS), other Registered Nurses (RNs), and Patient Care Techs (PCTs). Makes room and nurse assignments for patients. Ensures all patients have received a daily RN assessment. Efficient and knowledgeable in all skills and policy and procedures of the unit. Provides direct patient care as needed. Assigns lunches and breaks as needed for staff. Ensures smooth and efficient patient flow within the unit.

Anticipates and addresses physician needs and concerns. Communicates problems involving personnel, medical staff, patients, families, and general public to appropriate management personnel. Makes assignments according to the needs of the patient and the capabilities and needs of staff. Displays a positive attitude that contributes to the overall customer service program in place at the hospital.

1. Knowledge,

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent customer service skills.

• Reads and understands the English language.

• Ability to think critically and analytically with little or no supervision.

• Ability to work effectively in situations of high stress and conflict and communicate goals and outcomes.

• Ability to process information and prioritize.

• Possesses exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

• Possesses independent work habits, is self-reliant and self-directed.

• Ability to learn, adapt, and change as required by the job functions.

• Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality of material and information accessed and reviewed.

• Basic computer literacy.

• Ability to move freely, reach, bend, and complete light lifting.

• Ability to use good body mechanics while performing daily job functions and ability to follow specific OSHA guidelines.

• Ability to maintain attendance to meet standard job practices.

• Attends 75% of scheduled unit conferences.

• Attends 50% of Shared Governance meetings.

• Proficient in Ultrasound IV insertion and care.

• Full-time charge nurses will be required to work a 48/36 hour a week rotation unless in times of low census or PTO is used.

2. Education

• RN – Associate Degree

• BSN - preferred but not required

3. Licensure

• Licensed in good standing with the Georgia Board of Nursing and EKG Course.

• BLS

• ACLS

• PALS

4. Experience

• 1 - 2 years' experience preferred.

5. Interpersonal skills

• Positive and effective communication skills

6. Essential technical/motor skills

7. Essential physical requirements

• Heavy:
Exert 50 – 100 lb. of force occasionally and/or up to 30 lb. of force frequently - >75%

8. Essential mental requirements

9. Essential sensory requirements

10. Basic skills as defined by licensure/certification.

11. Equipment used

12. Exposure to hazards (body fluid exposure level)

• Level I

13. Age of Patient Populations Served

• Neonates 1 - 30 days

• Infants 30 days - 1 year

• Children 1 - 12 years

• Adolescents 13 - 18 years

• Adults 19 - 70 years

• Geriatrics - 70+ years

Job Specific Duties and Performance Standards

Below are those tasks, duties, and responsibilities that comprise the means of accomplishing the position's purpose and objectives. These are critical or fundamental to the performance of the position. They are the major functions for which the person in the position is held accountable. Following are the essential functions of the position, along with the corresponding performance standards.

• Assesses and diagnoses patient and family needs in order to provide quality care to assigned patients as evidenced by:

Performs admission assessment in accordance with specific unit standards.

Identifies and documents patient/family/significant other teaching needs on admission

Identifies discharge planning needs of patient/family/significant other on admission.

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