Lead Charge Nurse

Lines of Authority

This position is supervised by the Director of Nurses. It supervises directly all Hospital RNs, LPNs and indirectly supervises Residential Techs at the hospital.

Uses accepted nursing practices to train and supervise nurses providing care and treatment to inpatient behavioral health patients. Oversees all milieu activities and works with the Director of Nurses and administrative staff to promote and ensure compliance and proper record‑keeping.

• Adhere to personnel policies and comply with agency requirements for ethical and professional behavior.
• Provide training and supervision to all nursing staff to ensure that they perform:
• Implement all physician orders.
• Administer medications, monitor and record effects or side effects.
• Administer, with assistance, restraints and seclusion of patients when needed.
• Record and report any unusual incidents.
• Assign tasks to personnel to complete shift activities.
• Assist in unplanned changes in nursing schedule to insure personnel coverage.
• Complete nursing assessments.
• Assure that program schedule, including milieu activities, is followed.
• Provide direct nursing care to patients.
• Participate in quality management and improvement activities.
• Ensure that all training documents are complete for each employee, as required, at new hire and annually. These records shall be given to the Director of Nurses and the Human Resources Department.
• Assist the Director of Nursing in staffing matters which may include reviewing staffing patterns, work schedules, acuity levels and participating in interviews. During staffing shortages, this position is required to cover Charge and Med‑Nurse vacancies.
• Attend morning rounds.
• Investigate complaints and report findings to the Director of Nurses.
• Serve on committees as required, including quality management meetings, infection/safety and nursing staff meetings.
• Ensure that staff maintains compliance with standards, policies, procedures and regulatory agency requirements.
• Participate in reporting for seclusion and restraint and IRs, evaluate incident reports and take appropriate action.
• Constantly evaluate attitudes, morale, interpersonal relationships and promote ways to improve, making recommendations to the DON.
• Promote teamwork with medical officers, other departments and the community.
• Act as a role model for staff and contribute to orientation, continuing staff development and training.
• Promote quality and safety, maintain a safe and pleasant work environment, follow safety regulations and infection control guidelines.
• Report workplace injuries to HR according to procedure guidelines.
• Provide positive and active support of the company, the customer and the co‑worker.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the DON and Hospital Administrator.

• All nursing and medical personnel.
• ChangePoint Integrated Health personnel and customers.
• Referral sources and family members.
• Outside provider service agencies.

• Associate’s degree from an accredited school of nursing.
• Two (2) years of recent clinical experience in nursing.
• Two (2) years of experience in psychiatric nursing or related nursing field.
• Experience with SMI and substance abuse populations.
• Current Arizona Driver’s license.
• CPR certification.
• Compliance with a drug‑free workplace.
• Job restriction clearance.

• Knowledge of symptoms related to qualifying diagnosis.
• Ability to identify and communicate signs of regression and deterioration.
• Knowledge of interventions to foster self‑care and ADL skill development.

• Recognize signs and symptoms of substance abuse and chemical dependency.
• Knowledge of treatment options, including relapse prevention, strategies and self‑help groups.
• Provide a diagnostic impression per DSM‑IV criteria for substance abuse and chemical dependency.
• Knowledge of the history of substance dependence and its influences and effects.

• Knowledge of symptoms related to qualifying diagnosis.
• Ability to identify and communicate signs of regression and deterioration.
• Knowledge of Article 9 (customer rights) of state requirements.
• Knowledge of customer…