CHARGE NURSE; RN- Emergency Department

CHARGE NURSE (RN) - Emergency Department

Location:

Silver City, NM

Description
The Emergency Department Charge Nurse is a registered professional nurse who is assigned specific management responsibilities by the nurse manager/director. S/he is directly responsible to the nurse manager and provides continuity of leadership. S/he is responsible for the evaluation and prioritization of activities to meet the changing unit demands on a shift-to-shift basis. The Charge Nurse has the authority, responsibility, and shift accountability for the delivery of nursing care through the use of the nursing process.

The Charge Nurse accepts accountability, applies competent clinical knowledge, skills, and uses independent nursing judgment for care provided by self and by health care providers to whom care is delegated to achieve quality patient care outcomes. The Emergency Department Charge Nurse is responsible for leading the ER team in the Triage, assessing, directing, evaluation and delivery of patient care in the Emergency Department in acute and often critical situations.

The Charge Nurse has adaptability to work in an environment for which the required workload may be fast-paced and stressful. The Charge Nurse must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care that is relevant to the patient(s) under their care, as well as apply principles of growth and development over the life span. The Charge Nurse also must possess the ability to assess and interpret patient data needed to identify each patient s requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs.

Essential Functions

• Makes assignments for the shift taking into consideration patient needs and staff skill mix. Adjusts assignments as needed throughout the shift as patient volumes/acuity dictate.
• Functions as a resource for knowledge and clinical skills, teaching/coaching staff. Seeks out additional resources as need.
• Rounds with Physicians, communicates with primary nurse any important or relevant information. Assists with coordination of interdisciplinary team.
• Coordinates with House Supervisor on bed availability and assists with patient bed assignment based on diagnosis of the patient, as well as psycho-social needs of the patient.
• Performs ongoing monitoring of the unit, balancing and assisting with tasks to prevent staff feelings of being overwhelmed or omissions/gaps in patient care.
• Coordinates and/or assists in the completion of admissions, discharges, and transfers; assures timeliness of patient flow and accuracy in patient data collection/documentation.
• Addresses minor performance issues (behavioral, code of conduct, policy infractions); documents occurrence and resolution for Director. Discusses/updates Director regarding any major issues. Fosters a culture of accountability.
• Assists Director with focused Patient and Employee rounds using specified tools and pre-determined rounding criteria
• Monitors to assure indicators for Core Measures, Quality Outcomes, and Patient Experience are being met (i.e. noise level in/around patient room, visitor accommodations patient centric per policy).
• Monitors unit for Joint Commission requirements and readiness as applicable.

Standards (I-XIV)

• Standard I. Assessment
  :
  The Registered Nurse Collects Health Data. Measurement Criteria:
  The priority of data collection is determined by the patient s immediate condition or needs; pertinent data is collected by using appropriate assessment techniques; data collection involves the patient, significant others, health care providers, and other GRMC personnel, when appropriate; the data collection process is systematic and ongoing; relevant data is documented in a retrievable form.
• Standard II. Diagnosis
  :
  The Registered Nurse analyzes the assessment data in determining diagnoses. Measurement Criteria:
  Plans of care are derived from assessment data; plans are validated with patient, significant others, health care providers, and records; plans of care are documented to facilitate outcomes and care plan.
• Standard III. Outcome Identification
  :
  The Registered Nurse identifies expected outcomes individualized to the patient. Measurement Criteria:
  Outcomes are derived from diagnoses; outcomes are documented as measurable goals; outcomes are mutually formulated with patient and health care providers; outcomes are realistic and attainable given resources and time.
• Standard IV. Planning
  :
  The Registered Nurse develops a care plan that prescribes interventions to attain expected outcomes. Measurement Criteria:
  Plan is individualized, developed with patient and others, reflects current nursing practice, documented, ensures continuity of care through entry to discharge, includes discharge follow-up when appropriate.
• Standard V. Implementation
  :
  The Registered Nurse implements the interventions identified in the care plan. Measurement Criteria:
  Interventions align with the care plan, are safe and timely, and are documented.
• Standard VI. Evaluation
  :
  The Registered Nurse evaluates progress toward…