Charge Nurse - Ortho/Neuro

The Charge Staff Nurse (Registered Nurse) works under the supervision of unit leadership. The Charge Staff Nurse (Registered Nurse) is a generalist serving as the lateral integrator for the health care team on each unit who facilitates, coordinates, and oversees care within the microsystem and in collaboration with the macrosystem. The Charge Staff Nurse role varies across practice settings, but is practiced at the point of care, following a cohort of patients with a focus on evidence-based practice, safety, quality, risk reduction and cost containment. The Charge Staff Nurse may be required to work in other areas according to skill of staff and acuity of patients. They take responsibility for managing coworkers in the work environment and oversee team work, throughput, promoting professional development, and supporting novice nurses. They will provide exceptional service to all patients and customers all while maintaining a role model status. The Charge Staff Nurse will maintain all competencies for the units they are assigned and performs other duties assigned within their scope.

• Completes a high-level report for the unit at end of each shift to obtain pertinent information for staffing and throughput; examples: medication drips, comfort measures, Isolation, restraints, sitter, Discharges, etc….
• Have assigned units information prepared for huddle by 9am and 4pm on day shift, additional if needed.
• Complete shift assignments for the coordinating shift and collaborates with House Supervisor /Leadership throughout the shift when staffing changes arise.
• Assign nursing students to appropriate caregivers for the oncoming shift.
• Print off data sheet for appropriate units.
• Complete bed fill sheet and collaborate with patient placement at beginning of shift and throughout as changes occur.
• Collaborate with leadership and conduct a huddle at the beginning each shift for high level items that involve safety, quality, and risk reduction for unit.
• Collaborate with care management team for the unit for throughput and plan of care for each patient and collaborate with assigned caregivers.
• Monitor for admissions, discharge orders, times of discharge, and barriers to throughput and collaborate with leadership when it occurs.
• Assist caregivers with admissions, discharges, transfers when appropriate.
• Monitor and provide support to the caregivers on the unit when increased workload is witnessed and situational management arises and collaborate with leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Associate's Degree - Graduate school of Nursing - Required
• Bachelor's Degree - Nursing Diploma or Degree from an accredited school of nursing - Preferred

• 1 Year - RN experience on unit or working as an inpatient RN - Preferred

• Registered Nurse (RN) - State Licensure/Or Compact State Licensure - State Licensure/Or Compact State Licensure in state, depending upon designated work location - Required Upon Hire
• Basic Life Support (BLS) - Required within 90 Days
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - IF working in an inpatient area in which ACLS is required within 90 Days

Essential Technical/Motor Skills

• Communicating clearly in technical and layman terms; Ability to give injections, administer medications, change dressings; fine motor skills, eye/hand coordination, walk, ability to speak clearly, hear, answer phone, data entry.

Interpersonal Skills

• Above normal ability to motivate, communicate and direct others with varying and/or diverse educational backgrounds to achieve department and organizational goals.
• Ability to assess the situational condition of the work environment. Must build rapport with patient families, visitors, peers and physicians as well as other departments and divisions.
• Displays a friendly, positive attitude and communicates with patients, families, physicians and co-workers in a professional manner.
• Ability to communicate verbally and written.

Essential Physical Requirements

• Ambulating, balancing, kneeling, crouching, stooping, reaching, standing, pushing, pulling, and lifting.

Essential Mental Abilities

• Ability to collect high level information regarding patient's plan of care, problem solve, manipulate numbers, adaptability, interpret data, communicate, calculate, comprehend, understand, explain.

Essential Sensory Requirements

• Hearing, speaking, visual skills.

Exposure to Hazards

• Anticipated occupational exposure to body fluids, hazardous materials, and infectious waste.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Utilize excellent customer service and teamwork skills portraying “the patient comes first” attitude congruent with a devised plan for the unit.
• Follows RESPECT document always.
• Completes competencies and all other requirements.