Charge Nurse (RN) - Progressive Care Unit (PCU) FT NIGHT

Role Overview The RN Clinical Charge Nurse is responsible for directing and overseeing the daily activities of the unit on an assigned shift to assure successful safe delivery of care. The Charge Nurse is a caregiver and often takes a modified patient care assignment. They practice in a clinical environment that is administered by Nurse Managers and other leaders and is supported through the WellStar Shared Governance Model. The framework for practice is steered by the WellStar Professional Nursing Practice Model and evidence-based practice and research. RN competencies are derived from these models and supported by the WellStar Core Competencies. The RN Clinical Charge Nurse is a proactive member of an interdisciplinary team of licensed and unlicensed care givers who ensure that patients, families and significant others receive individualized high quality, safe patient care. Expectations of practice include accountability, responsibility and authority for the practice of nursing, effective teamwork, delegation, communication, respect, personal development, and development of team members. The role contributes to the establishment and maintenance of practices that ensure excellence in patient care, provide for efficient use of resources, and undertake leadership tasks such as staff scheduling, unit patient flow, subject matter expertise for clinical concerns, physician rounding, committee involvement, and survey readiness. Resources and Support Monitors equipment inventory, location and utilization to ensure staff have tools and equipment needed to perform their job. Participates in planning and requesting resources for providing high quality care and assists in acquiring appropriate staffing during unexpected staffing shortages or surges in census. Proactively plans for the care of patients across the care continuum in the course of giving direct patient care. Participates in the development of protocols and procedures when called upon or through self-initiation in collaboration with care managers and other members of the health care team to achieve best practice outcomes (i.e., decrease in re‑admission rates; avoidable days; adverse events, etc.). Tactical Responsibilities Make patient assignments, considering new grads, float and type of patient. Conduct daily discharge/length of stay reviews. Round with physicians and surgeons. Assign surgery beds in conjunction with the surgery schedule. Consult with the supervisor nursing administration (house supervisor) on bed flow and availability. Manage assignments for emergency services sections, manage the waiting room, and coordinate multiple areas open at different times. Exemplary Practice and Outcomes Rounds on every patient daily to evaluate quality and appropriateness of patient care, including corrective action when needed using peer coaching and accountability. Performs or provides oversight for the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, identification of outcomes, planning, implementation, and evaluation) in the performance of clinical care using evidence-based practice; analytical/critical thinking ensures care is individualized; coordinates care through effective partnerships; caring is central to achieve optimal patient care outcomes. Provides or provides oversight for relationship-based care delivery, patient-centered care by partnering with the patient and significant others using comprehensive hand‑off communication processes; interdisciplinary evaluation and communication; just-in-time and planned patient teaching; keeps the patient informed using appropriate communication tools and making the patient’s goals the focus of the plan of care. Practices using current clinical practice standards with a focus on safety and quality. Emergency Department Setting Charge Nurse rounds on patients in a modified method in conjunction with nurses to focus on patient safety concerns and patient care. Teamwork and Collaboration Communicates with the nurse manager and/or assistant nurse manager any needs or concerns pertaining to care delivery or employee performance. Coordinates the delivery and documentation of safe quality patient care which includes promotion of interdisciplinary communication and regular interdisciplinary planning/rounds; completion of timely documentation and promotion of a respectful, inclusive clinical environment. Demonstrates teamwork and collaboration by practicing in a manner that is fiscally responsible and promotes the recruitment and retention of all healthcare team members. Participates and supports performance improvement inclusive of all stakeholders, research and research utilization to promote safe, quality patient care including initiating and/or leading such activities. Professional Development Ensures patient/family/staff confidentiality and corporate compliance for self (and accountability for team members) requirements including completing all required mandatory education and proficiencies. Serves as a preceptor (or mentor) for other professional nurses and staff or students for all disciplines to ensure a current and future qualified workforce; models the professional practice of nursing and creates a healthy work environment. Evidence Based Practice and Research Promotes evidence-based practice, nursing research and performance improvement in nursing. Participates in activities such as value analysis as part of the decision-making process in evaluating patient care products. Upholds all health care system/organizational policies and procedures and clinical competencies put forth by this job description and professional association including legal, regulatory and accreditation requirements and standards ensuring compliance with TJC Patient Safety Goals and WellStar Health Systems safety absolutes. Participates in data collection, poses relevant clinical questions to advance evidence-based practice, consults appropriate experts and uses appropriate resources, data, and evidence to address practice questions. Performs other duties as assigned and complies with all WellStar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct. Qualifications Required Minimum Education Graduate of an accredited/approved school of nursing as an Associate Degree/Diploma Nurse Baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited school of nursing Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s) Basic Life Support or BLS (Instructor) Registered Nurse (Single State) or RN – Multi-state Compact Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – Preferred or ACLS – Instructor-Preferred or ACLS – Provisional-Preferred Advanced Cardiac Life Support or ACLS – Instructor or ACLS – Provisional Required Minimum Experience Minimum 1 year nursing experience Preferred Experience 2 years; preferred experience as relief charge with clinical expertise #J-18808-Ljbffr