Cardiothoracic Surgery Stepdown / Charge Nurse

Emory Healthcare

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At Emory Healthcare we fuel your professional journey with better benefits, valuable resources, ongoing mentorship and leadership programs for all types of jobs, and a supportive environment that enables you to reach new heights in your career and be what you want to be. We provide:

• Comprehensive health benefits that start day 1
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance & Reimbursement Programs
• Family-focused benefits
• Wellness incentives
• Ongoing mentorship, development, and leadership programs
• And more

Do you want to be a part of a nationally acclaimed cardiac program? Do you want to thrive in a complex and fast-paced environment? Then 6E, a cardiovascular surgical unit, is the place for you! On 6E you will be working with chest tubes, surgical wounds, hanging blood, anti-arrhythmic drugs, inotropes, pacing wires, trachs and LVADs.

• Number of beds: 24
• Patient Population/Typical Diagnoses: heart transplantation, coronary bypass grafts (CABGs), valve repairs or replacement, thoracic aneurysm repair, congenital heart defect repair, and ventricular assist devices (VADs).
• Targeted Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: 1:3

6E was recognized during the 2023 ANCC Magnet recertification as an Exemplar for supporting nurses' participation in inter-professional collaborative practices for daily in-person Interdisciplinary Rounds (IDRs) with our APPs, nutrition, social work, physical therapy, and nursing. Our staff raise the bar by providing clinical expertise and the highest quality care, in the most compassionate way. Come be a part of the team!

Job Description

Job Summary: Plans, coordinates and directs the daily operations of a specific shift on a clinical unit. Supervises staff and facilitates communication with physicians and internal administrators to provide optimal patient and family-centered care. Is recognized as a change agent and routinely leads efforts to strengthen organizational systems that support the mission, vision, and values of the department. Adept at creative problem-solving, negotiating conflict, and collaborating with others. Demonstrates insight, judgment, and clinically sound risk-taking. Role models expert communication skills to colleagues through example. Demonstrates foresight regarding the impact of nursing care on patient outcomes based on intuition and experience. Is recognized as an expert clinician and a leader within their area of specialty. Completes employee conference, risk management and unit management reports within specified time frames. Identifies the need for revision and evaluates the effectiveness of operational forms. Provides and coordinates the resources needed within the unit to provide optimal patient outcomes. Role models time management skills through example. Ensures compliance and adherence with stated policies and procedures for the unit. Remains informed of innovative clinical trends through bench marking and evidence-based practice. Functions as charge nurse. Role models delegation skills to colleagues and assist them in effective delegation utilizing the Synergy model for care. Considered an expert and is viewed as a formal leader.

Primary duties and responsibilities:

• Clinical Leadership and Mentorship: Mentors other Registered Nurses to the role and functions of Charge Nurse. Leads and coordinates team behavior between staff members and actively fosters the development of leadership skills in others. Provides direction and guidance to less experienced staff concerning policies, scheduling, assignments, organizational skills and daily operations. Completes performance reviews with Nurse Manager input as appropriate. Incorporates Synergy model for care in nurse/patient assignments.
• Operational Management and Compliance: Evaluates the use of resources and cost containment activities. Coordinates unit staffing to meet the needs of the department. Identifies one managerial problem and initiates test of change. Actively participates in preparation of regulatory agency reviews. Assists in administrative activities such as budget planning, identifying means of cost containment, coordinating unit staffing schedules, and ensuring communication regarding areas of concern to the Nurse Manager. Evaluates the impact of policies on daily operations. Supports administrative decisions and facilitates daily operational issues with the staff. Ensures compliance with educational requirements through scheduling, planning, and support.
• Communication, Conflict Resolution, and Advocacy: Exhibits desire to hear and understand another's point of view. Demonstrates and role models effective communication skills. Takes a leadership role in building and maintaining an environment which fosters open and candid communication. Serves as an arbitrator in resolution of conflicts between nursing staff. Takes appropriate action to correct unacceptable communication/behavior as needed. Takes appropriate action to counsel employees (i.e., verbal warnings for attendance & performance issues). Aware of and supports units and colleagues needs through supportive and non-judgmental behaviors. Actively empowers and advocates for nurses. Takes appropriate action to address customer concerns and complaints (i.e., appropriate follow-up with Nurse Manager and risk management). Addresses escalated patient issues and refers issues to Nurse Manager or Patient Advocate when unable to resolve. Monitors issues and their resolution.
• Quality Improvement and Education: Challenges and shapes systems on the unit and hospital wide to achieve best possible outcomes. Implements innovative approaches to meet the needs of patients and families. Identifies, recognizes and responds to the needs of unit staff to ensure that staff has the resources and tools available to meet patient and family needs. Identifies, initiates, and collaborates to provide needed educational programs. Develops management/ leadership focused in-service (e.g., time management, team building, conflict resolution, budget, leadership activities). Demonstrates current evidence-based practice and disseminates information. Questions management practice as it relates to research.

Qualifications: Minimum Required: Education - Graduate of an accredited prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Experience - 1 year of recent post-graduation nursing experience. Licensure - A valid, unencumbered Registered Nursing License approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing. Certification - 1. BLS certification 2. ACLS may be required for certain departments, post hire 3. Additional certifications may be required based on department and specialty 4. If completing virtual care activities that may include multi-state practice, an active compact/multistate license (eNLC) is required within 60 days of hire. Employees in role prior to 11/09/2025 will have until their next renewal date to achieve compact status. Exceptions: 1. Emory Warner Robins, Perry and affiliated Physician Groups locations that have an Associate's Degree in Nursing prior to 3/29/2026, will be grandfathered into this role as having met the education requirement. Preferred Qualifications: Education - MSN or DNP

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: (Medium-Heavy) 36-75 lbs, 0-33% of the work day (occasionally); 20-35 lbs, 34-66% of the workday; (frequently); 10-20 lbs, 67-100% of the workday (constantly); Lifting 75 lbs max; Carrying of objects up to 35 lbs; Occasional to frequent standing & walking; Occasional sitting; Close eye work (computers, typing, reading, writing); Physical demands may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Factors affecting environment conditions may vary depending on the assigned work area and tasks. Environmental exposures include, but are not limited to: Blood-borne pathogen exposure; Bio-hazardous waste Chemicals/gases/fumes/vapors; Communicable diseases; Electrical shock; Floor Surfaces; Hot/Cold Temperatures; Indoor/Outdoor conditions; Latex; Lighting; Patient care/handling injuries; Radiation; Shift work; Travel may be required; Use of personal protective equipment, including respirators; environmental conditions may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.

Additional Details

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.

Emory Healthcare is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact Emory Healthcare's Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io. Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.