Charge Nurse

The Position

Bargaining Unit: CNA - Registered Nurses Unit

The Health Services Department of Contra Costa County is currently recruiting individuals interested in Charge Nurse employment opportunities. Most assignments are located at the Contra Costa County Regional Medical Center, Martinez, California. Other assignments are in ambulatory care clinics and public health centers at various locations throughout the County and at the Detention Facilities in Central and West County. Charge Nurses are responsible for maintaining and advancing quality patient care standards on an assigned unit or in a clinic. They serve as a resource for subordinate nursing staff on clinical issues and provide daily direction while managing their own patient assignments.

Typical Tasks

Serves in a lead capacity during an assigned shift in a hospital unit, health center or detention facility

Assesses patient needs, unit resources and activity level and delegates patient care assignment based on competency of subordinate nursing staff

Monitors appropriate completion of patient care documentation

Acts as a patient advocate

Assesses performance of subordinate staff

Investigates and directs patient care issues to appropriate persons for follow-up

Provides input to the nurse manager on staffing needs, policies and procedures

Prepares staffing schedules on hospital units, prepares patient acuity information for the next shift and for reporting to the nursing office

Assists in educational needs, assessment of subordinate staff and recommends training

Participates in the Quality Management Programs and other committees as required

Enforces safety measures and takes corrective action as necessary

Provides direct patient care as needed

Serves as a resource to subordinate nursing staff for problem solving and decision making

Conducts meetings and disseminates information under direction of Nurse Program Manager

Provide and promote excellence in customer service for both internal and external customers

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Candidates must possess and maintain throughout the duration of employment: a current, valid and unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse in the State of California and a valid Basic Life Support certification (BLS) issued by the American Heart Association or CPR certification issued by the American Red Cross.

Special Requirements: As a condition of employment all applicants when assigned to Detention Facilities, must possess and maintain a Sheriff's Department security clearance.

Experience: Acute Care and Specialty Clinics: Three (3) years of full-time or its equivalent experience performing the duties of a Registered Nurse in an acute care hospital, one (1) year of which must have been in the specialty area.

Ambulatory Care Clinics: Three (3) years of full-time experience or its equivalent performing the duties of a Registered Nurse in a hospital, clinic, or medical facility for family practice clinic appointments.

Qualifications for Restricted Positions: Specific qualifications are required beyond those specified above for the following assignments:

Emergency Department/Emergency Medical services: One (1) year of the required experience must have been in an Emergency Department as a Registered Nurse. Possession of Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification (ACLS), issued by the American Heart Association, and a Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certificate issued by the American Heart Association. Within the first six months of hire, successful completion of an ENA approved Emergency Nurse Certification course.

Critical Care, Intermediate Care, and Telemetry Unit: One year of the required experience must have been in Critical care, Intermediate care, or telemetry Unit. Possession of a current Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certificate (ACLS) issued by the American Heart Association. Within six months of hire successful completion of a CCRMC approved cardiac EKG Class.

Operating Room: One year of the required experience must have been in operating room nursing in a hospital approved by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations.

Post Anesthesia Recovery Room: One year of the required experience must have been in Post Anesthesia Recovery as a Registered Nurse. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) issued by the American Heart Association, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification issued by the American Heart Association is required. ASPAN Certification preferred.

Labor and Delivery: One year of the required experience must have been in Labor and Delivery as a Registered Nurse. Possession of Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification (ACLS) issued by the American Heart Association. Proof of successful completion of an accredited course in Advanced Fetal Monitoring and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certificates also required.

Nursery: One year of the required experience must have been in an Intensive Care Nursery unit. Possession of a current Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certificate issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Postpartum: One year of the required experience must have been in a postpartum unit. Possession of a current Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certificate (ACLS) issued by the American Heart Association, and possession of a current Neonatal Resuscitation Certificate (NRP) certificate issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Detention/Correctional Facilities: One year of the required experience must have been in a Detention/Correctional facility. Successful completion of competencies for use of Standardized procedures; and Certification by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care as a Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP).

Medical Unit: One year of the required experience must have been in Medical Surgical, Telemetry, Intermediate care, Critical care or other relevant acute care experience. Possession of one of the following current certificates: Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters Line Certificate (PICC); Chemotherapy Certificate; Conscious Sedation Certificate; Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certificate (ACLS) issued by the American Heart Association; or any national nursing certification. Nurses hired to work on the 4B Medical Unit are required to take an ONS Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Course within six months of hire and possess and maintain a current Chemotherapy Provider Card issued by and approved CCRMC chemotherapy provider program.

Surgical Unit: One year of the required experience must have been in Medical Surgical, Telemetry, Intermediate care, Critical care or other relevant acute care experience. Possession of one of the following current certificates: Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters Line Certificate (PICC); Chemotherapy certificate Conscious Sedation Certificate; Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certificate (ACLS) issued by the American Heart Association; or any national nursing certification

Psychiatric Services: One year of the required experience must have been in Mental Health or Psychiatry. Possession of one of the following current certificates: Certification in Psychiatric Nursing from the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC); Crisis Prevention Institute Certification and instructing a minimum of six CPI classes or CCRMC approved training programs; Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certificate (ACLS) issued by the American Heart Association.

A COMPLETED SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE IS REQUIRED AND YOU MUST ATTACH COPIES OF LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS TO YOUR APPLICATION.

Selection Process

1. Application Filing: All applicants, including County employees, are to apply on-line at Contra Costa County Department of Human Resources, and submit the required information as indicated on the job announcement by the final filing date listed above. All applicants must clearly demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualifications provided on the job announcement. Resumes may not be substituted for the official County application. Paper, faxed, or late applications WILL NOT be accepted.

2. Application Evaluation: Depending on the number of applications received, an Application Evaluation Board may be convened to evaluate and select the best-qualified candidates for invitation to the next phase of the examination.

3. Examination: The examination will consist of an evaluation of each candidate's relevant education, training and/or experience as presented on the application and supplemental questionnaire. Candidates must receive a rating of at least 70% from a majority of the Board members to be ranked on the employment list. (Weighted 100%) The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

CONVICTION HISTORY After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.