Registered Nurse -Charge Nurse

Schedule: Three, 12-hour shifts per week
Shift: Variable days of the week, 12-hours shifts, weekend rotation

Unit: Med Surg/ Step Down ICU

• Provides leadership for nursing units in the absence of department directors.

• Provides leadership for other hospital departments in the absence of department directors during disaster situations.

• Reviews staffing needs for next 24 hours and makes necessary staffing adjustments for all nursing units.

• Organizes, directs and collaborates with personnel on assigned shifts.

• Investigates and resolves administrative problems/complaints and refers unusual problems to department directors or administration.

• Offers input into the evaluations of nursing staff

• Coordinates educational offerings for assigned shifts

• Responds, coordinates and critique crisis situations.

• Supervises staff, assesses their needs, identifies educational opportunities, and communicates with unit leadership.

• Assists in maintaining and monitoring Nursing unit budgets, identifying opportunities to reduce costs.

• Manages and assists in the resolution of opportunities related to human resources, and safety and risk management issues

• Assists in implementation and evaluation of nursing initiatives.

• Aware of and collaborates in performance improvement / quality initiatives for the nursing departments.

• Highly visible to partners, rounding with charge nurse/lead nurses at least once per shift and others as able throughout the assigned shift.

• Rounds on patients/families as requested/needed with attention to high-risk patients. Rounds on at least one patient/family per shift.

• Role model service recovery as appropriate. Encourages and acts as a resource for front-line partners to participate in the service recovery process.

• Coordinates patient admissions, discharges and transfers and work assignments of nursing staff to meet patient and unit needs.

• Serves as incident commander until the administrator on call arrives for Disaster Operations Plan. Participates in on-going Disaster Preparedness education.

• Participates in nursing leadership educational sessions quarterlyResource Role:

• Acts as a resource person for nursing staff, physicians and other hospital personnel.

• Assists with complex patient care situations.

• Counsels patients, families, and staff in time of crisis. Accesses appropriate resources.

• As a designated Organ Procurement Requester assists with procurement of organs to be donated. Assists with completion of the death packet and process as needed.

• Contacts OR staff for emergency OR procedures; assists Maternity staff in obstetrical emergencies, including assisting with coordinating resources for emergency surgeries; coordinates resources from Central services and Radiology for such cases.

• Assists in procurement of supplies, nourishment for staff , physicians or patients, medical records and medications as needed.

• Familiar with and assists with the delivery of care in accordance with the hospital and departmental Mission, Vision, and Values. Interprets and enforces institution policies.

Education and Experience

Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
BSN or upon hire BSN completion agreement for enrollment in an accredited BSN Completion Program
May require specific years of applicable experience to qualify (per department guidelines). If hired prior to 1-1-14 in Winnebago County and prior to 9-1-14 in Rock, Walworth and McHenry Counties an ADN only is required.
Must have a minimum of 3 to 4 years of progressively responsible nursing experience.

Licensed as an RN in state of practice
Approved BLS certification required within 90 days (Other certification per unit requirements: ACLS, PALS, PEARS, NRP)
ACLS preferred

Skills and Abilities
Good interpretive and analytic skills.
Must have planning and organizational skills.
Excellent interpersonal/communication skills.
May include color blind test (per department guidelines)

Special Physical Demands

The Special Physical Demands are considered Essential Job Functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; stoop, kneel, crouch, or smell. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

Level of Supervision

Work requires a high level of independent judgment. The position has substantial latitude for independent action

Supervises

Directly supervises employees in the hospital in the absence of administration. Fulfills leadership responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

PAY RANGE:

Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision

• Life & Disability Insurance

• FSA/HSA Options

• Generous, accruing paid time off

• Paid Parental and caregiver leave

• Career advancement and educational opportunities

• Tuition and certification reimbursement

• Certification Reimbursement

• Well-being Programs

• Employee Discounts

• On-Demand Pay

• Financial Education

• Annual recognition/awards events

• Partner appreciation days

• Family entertainment/attractions discount

• Community service/improvement opportunities

Click here for more details regarding Mercyhealth Careers Benefit Information.

At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including:

• #1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50

• One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers

• A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women