RN

Charge Nurse, Critical Care Unit

Schedule: Day Shift. 36 Hours Weekly. 7:00am-7:15pm.

A "Charge Nurse" is a licensed registered nurse who is responsible for coordinating all administrative, technical and/or clinical functions relating to the provision of services on a per shift basis within their unit/department. Provides leadership to maximize customer satisfaction. Functions as a significant member of the unit leadership structure and assists the Unit Manager with developing educational programs, formulation of policies and procedures, establishing goals, engaging in problem-solving activities and fiscal management. Possesses the maturity, ability and flexibility to deal effectively with the constantly changing situations encountered in the complex health care environment.

The patient population in the Critical Care Unit consists of individuals with severe and life-threatening conditions, including but not limited to respiratory failure, cardiac emergencies, sepsis, multi-organ dysfunction, traumatic injuries, and post-surgical complications. These patients require advanced monitoring, complex interventions, and a high level of coordination among the interdisciplinary team to ensure optimal patient outcomes and safety.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No positions will formally report to the Charge Nurse; however, the Charge Nurse will be responsible for the oversight and administration of nursing services for their unit/department, including providing guidance and direction to all employees working within the department during their shift.

Fundamental Expectations for Success:

• Routinely demonstrates a strong commitment to Reid's behavioral standards by serving as a role model to others.
• Consistently demonstrates the behavior standards identified in Reid's Mission, Vision and Values at all times.
• Practices the Key Service Behaviors to support an outstanding customer and employee experience.
• Adheres to Reid's confidentiality policies related to patients, family and visitors, staff, physicians, and customers.
• Takes pride and care in personal appearance and reports to work in attire that projects professionalism and respect.
• Completes all required hospital education and employee health requirements on time.
• Follows Reid's confidentiality policies related to customers, family and visitors, and employees.
• Perform work in a safe manner and follow all Reid safety requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the coordination of patient care utilizing the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation during an assigned shift.
• Responsible for the coordination of services and patient flow including admissions, discharges, and resource allocation during the shift and multidisciplinary rounding to assure consistent and appropriate patient care.
• Demonstrates that she/he can work independently within scope of practice.
• Uses appropriate resources – Unit Manager, Directors, Administrative Coordinator, Pharmacy, etc.
• Demonstrates good time management by having no unjustified overtime.
• Informs supervisor when hours worked may accrue overtime and incidental overtime.
• Holds team accountable for good time management practices.
• Collaborates with team and management to develop cost-effective solutions and improve workflow processes.
• Uses team huddles and check-backs to proactively manage changes.
• Proactively resolves scheduling shortages/overages.
• Objectively promotes conflict resolution in a professional manner and serves as a nonbiased mediator.
• Accepts and offers team direction.
• Open to constructive feedback.
• Remains flexible with alterations in work assignments.
• Actively supports unit goals, strategic plans and participates in hospital initiatives.
• Responds to unit needs through flexibility with schedule and covering shift shortages.
• Looks for opportunities to recognize staff and celebrate successes.
• Collaborates across all shifts to create unit harmony and good shift to shift working relationships.
• Documentation is accurate, precise, thorough and meets the department and regulatory standards including date/time and signature on all medical record entries.
• Compliant with Read Back and Verify (RBV) of all telephone and verbal orders.
• Documentation is up-to-date and concurrently charted in "real time."
• Documentation is legible, grammatically correct with appropriate punctuation.
• Documentation contains only hospital approved abbreviations.
• Documentation portrays the patient's condition (tells the story in a sequential order).
• Documents changes in patient condition and responses to interventions.
• Documents communications with physicians and/or other members of the healthcare team.
• Uses quantifiable tools to document pain (Lichert & Wong Scales) and follow-up intervention responses.
• Documents safety risks.
• Documents observational and purposeful rounding.
• Demonstrates competence in utilization of all EHR and resource systems.
• Completes medication reconciliation.
• Documentation is consistent with all regulatory requirements including time, date, "RBV", etc.
• Accountable for maintaining privacy of medical records and patient information.
• Builds trust with customers as evidence by: introducing self, actively listening, displaying positive body language, explaining procedures and providing frequent updates.
• Anticipates the needs of customers and responds to questions, concerns and needs in a timely manner.
• Performs rounding, bedside report and hand-off.
• Involves customers in decision-making, care planning and utilizes communication boards in patient rooms.
• Promotes a healing and supportive environment which may include: therapeutic touch/massage, music therapy, aroma therapy, quiet environment, eliminating offensive odors, soothing room environment (temperature, cleanliness, etc.).
• Communicates in a constructive and professional manner in all interactions.
• Accommodates the cultural, spiritual and emotional needs of customers.
• Has credibility with colleagues such that she/he is sought out as a unit resource.
• Coaches team on RBC concepts, best practice and other issues.
• Holds team accountable for RBC's, best practice and other issues.
• Coaches team to achieve all elements of HCAHPS.
• Coaches team on prevention and early recognition of customer dissatisfaction and on service recovery efforts.
• Plans and communicates with staff, physicians and other departments, serving as a liaison to promote teamwork and harmonious working relationships.
• Appropriately recognizes abnormal assessment data.
• Assesses needs of entire care area through direct observation and shift report from prior charge nurse.
• Utilizes assessment data to accurately identify priority focus.
• Collaborates with care team to create appropriate plan of care.
• Decides initial patient assignments of other nurses/staff by assessing the patients' needs and each nurse's/staff skills and adjusting patient assignments as necessary using the same judgment.
• Effectively carries out plan of care.
• Initiates and assists with emergency protocols/standing orders.
• Assists with the implementation of new products and process changes.
• Recognizes success of plan of care or modifies plan of care accordingly.
• Assists in the evaluation of new products and process changes.
• Applies skillful reasoning to the Nursing Process.
• Achieve a minimum score of 4 on the Critical Thinking Diagnostic.
• Initiates nursing protocols and standing orders as condition dictates.
• Provides active coordination of overall care.
• Shift report is thorough, timely and gives an accurate health picture.
• Accurately and appropriately shares patient changes with the care team.
• Fall precautions and other safety measures are identified and utilized for appropriate customers.
• Utilizes Independent Double Check with high alert medications (Insulin, Lovenox, Heparin, TPN, etc.)
• Ensures safety by utilizing the five rights of medication administration
• Does not override safety mechanisms with medication administration (armband overrides, MAK overrides, etc.)
• Volunteers and actively participates in Charge Nurse meetings, Unit Practice Councils, unit/department meetings, unit updates, Kaizens, unit/department QA or other committees as assigned and actively offers constructive feedback.
• Directs staff appropriately and serves as a resource.
• Responsible for contributing to the efficient and effective operation of the nursing area and for development of self and others by being a role model and providing leadership.
• Provides best-practice by following hospital standards of care, policies and procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Performs employee evaluations prior to due date.
• Provides employee coaching up to and including corrective action by using "Just Culture."