CHARGE NURSE

Position Summary

The Charge Nurse provides safe and effective nursing care in the assigned area(s) in a manner consistent with the hospital philosophy and objectives, and within the framework of established policies and procedures of the Nursing Department. As a key team member in the clinical area, the Charge Nurse promotes a climate of effective performance and learning through role modeling, willingness to learn and teach, and availability to patients and staff.

The Charge Nurse organizes, manages, and coordinates unit nursing services on the assigned shift as delegated by the Nursing Administration, improving communication, limiting inconsistencies, and providing a safe and less stressful work environment.

Lead the unit during assigned shifts, ensuring high quality care, effective staff coordination, and adherence to hospital policies.

• Education: Graduate from an accredited program of professional nursing;
  Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Preferred Experience: Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in a psychiatric health‑care facility.
• Licensure: Currently licensed to practice by the California State Board of Nursing.
• Additional Requirements: CPR certification and completion of Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training (may be obtained during new hire orientation).
• Must have ability to communicate effectively.
• Must demonstrate leadership ability and serve as a resource for other nurses.
• Must perform concentrated or complex mental activity, work successfully under stressful conditions, and make sound independent judgments based on scientific and/or ethical principles.
• Must comprehend and follow oral and written instructions, collaborate with multidisciplinary team members, adapt to varying workloads, possess effective reading, writing, and math skills for drug dosage calculations.

Staff Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses (LVNs/LPTs), and Mental Health Technicians (MHTs).

Work is performed in a psychiatric hospital setting, which may involve day, evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts. The environment includes exposure to aggressive patients, outdoor weather, toxic or caustic chemicals, blood‑borne pathogens, and loud noise. Employees must maintain physical stamina and emotional stability to handle stressful and emergency situations.

Assessment:

• Document patient information and nursing care.
• Reassess and document significant changes in the patient’s condition.
• Report signs or symptoms of infection to the Infection Control Nurse.
• Verify the accuracy of patient records.

Intervention:

• Employ communication, interviewing, problem‑solving, and crisis intervention techniques during psychotherapeutic interventions.
• Administer medication accurately and transcribe physician’s/licensed practitioner’s orders.
• Utilize appropriate interventions in psychiatric and medical emergencies.

Treatment Planning:

• Prioritize and formulate a plan of care based on patient assessment.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning with measurable goals and interventions.
• Update and revise the plan as goals are met or conditions change.
• Document nursing interventions and patient responses.

Additional Standards:

• Adhere to facility, department, corporate, personnel, and standard policies and procedures.
• Attend all mandatory in‑services and staff development activities.
• Maintain conduct, dress, attendance, and punctuality standards.
• Support quality/performance improvement goals.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee and patient information.
• Provide supervision to unlicensed staff.

• Knowledge of psychiatric and medical nursing procedures and code procedures.
• Knowledge of Mental Health Laws and related child abuse/neglect/maltreatment laws.
• Organizational and prioritizing skills to meet deadlines.
• Telephone etiquette and paging procedures.
• Effective oral and written communication.
• Judgment, confidentiality, and safety policy adherence.

• Competently perform CPI techniques.
• Good hearing, sight, and the ability to sit, stand, walk, reach, bend, lift (10–50 lbs.), and move…