Charge Nurse

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

Join a Team That Changes Lives

 

For more than 170 years, Elwyn has been leading the way in supporting children, teens, and adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioral health challenges. As a mission-driven nonprofit, we’re here to create real change – helping people lead meaningful, fulfilling lives.

 

Now, we’re looking for passionate team members to join us. Here, your work will change lives – including your own. You’ll make an impact every day, find purpose in what you do, and grow in a career that truly matters.

 

At Elwyn, we take care of you while you care for others. We offer:

• Generous Paid Time Off
• Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision Benefit Packages
• Earned Wage Access/On-Demand Pay
• Paid On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Career Advancement Opportunities and Growth
• Flexible Schedules
• Retirement Savings Plan

 

Join us and be a part of something bigger. Apply today.

Responsibilities

POSITION SUMMARY: The Campus Charge Nurse is a registered nurse who coordinates the activities of unit nurses throughout the campus during the assigned shift through communication, assessment/triage, and emergency back-up and ensures the delivery of appropriate medical care to our individuals and the timely management of emergency situations.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Reviews the Charge Nurse (CN) Reports from the prior 24 hours when arriving for the assigned shift to prepare for taking over responsibilities for the upcoming shift to ensure continuity of care
• Maintains an ongoing written report (Charge Nurse Report) related to any medical concerns that occurred throughout the shift and is shared with the Administrative team as well as with the incoming charge nurses
• Maintains an open line of communication with campus staff nurses, Health Care Coordinators, Director of Nursing PA-IDD ICF Campus, Director of Nursing -- Behavioral Health & Campus Activities, physicians, and program management as it relates to any medical issues (i.e., falls, elevated blood sugars, and seizure activity)
• Responds in person to all medical emergencies (911 / "Dial 6") on the Elwyn Media campus, including Natale Media and Adult Residential Behavioral Health Services (ARBHS) homes; assists staff with tasks needed during the medical emergency (i.e., completion of emergency packet, phone call to emergency department to provide formal clinical report).
  • If the CN has an assignment and is unable to be present at the "Dial 6," she/he will attempt support via phone or two way radio to assure that the unit nurse / program staff have compiled a complete emergency packet (as necessary), along with having completed all other tasks associated with a "Dial 6."
• In the event that an individual is transported to the Emergency Department for evaluation or hospitalization, assists the unit nurse / program staff in coordinating this transfer by assuring that all necessary transfer and informational forms accompany the individual. Ensures that proper communications are made by program staff and/or the assigned program nurse as appropriate to the family and agencies of the transfer and illness/injuries
• Ensures that contacts is made with the pharmacy for medications as needed to ensure medication compliance
• In the absence of the Health Care Coordinators (HCC), obtains necessary supplies and equipment from pharmacy and external providers/vendors. Processes paperwork through the appropriate channels at the departmental level for these acquisitions
• Monitors the inventory of the Stat Safe machine which contains back-up medication and works directly with pharmacy to ensure adequate medication back up supply
• Ensures the count of centralized controlled medications at the beginning and the end of each shift
• In the event of an individual's death, ensures the notification of the family and other pertinent personnel as identified in Elwyn's policy on Notification of Death
• Assists physicians outside normal business hours with evaluations and treatments as needed during weekly onsite visits or appointments
• In the event that there is a shortage of nurses, covers a unit to assure that proper staffing levels are maintained
• Communicates by two-way radio with the Switchboard Operator and Security personnel to relay information regarding assistance needed for medical emergencies; keeps the Nurse Administrator-on-Call informed of any medical emergencies or concerns (i.e., acute changes in individual's physical, physiological, or mental status and/or medical emergencies requiring hospital admission); ensures that such issues are documented in the written Charge Nurse Report
• In the event that an individual returns from a medical appointment or a hospitalization with a change in diet, ensures that this change in diet is implemented and all staff caring for the individual are aware of the change; ensures that the "Diet Order Process for Campus Outside of Regular Business Hours Checklist" is completed
• Ensures that adequate nurse staffing levels are maintained at all times; receives call-outs and reviews schedule for the next shift and makes the necessary phone calls to obtain additional nursing coverage; contacts either PRN Elwyn staff or Agency staff; manages vacancies in the absence of the Staffing Coordinator
• Assists with evacuations and other campus-wide emergencies in accordance with Elwyn's Corporate Emergency Response Plan (CERP)
• In consultation with the Director or Nursing PA-IDD ICF Campus, Director of Nursing -- Behavioral Health & Campus Activities, or the Nursing Administrator-on-Call, may mandate nursing staff to work overtime when additional nursing coverage is needed
• Posts nursing unit assignments on-line for the oncoming shift and makes the necessary adjustments based on the skill set and experience of the nurses working.
• Assists with the reconciliation of campus nursing time keeping in the absence of the Staffing Coordinator
• Drives campus vehicle and ensures adequate supply of gas, basic cleanliness, restocking of supplies and reporting of any problems with functioning of the car as soon as possible
• Serves on committees when deemed necessary by the Director of Nursing PA-IDD ICF Campus or Director of Nursing -- Behavioral Health & Campus Activities
• Provides input into policies and procedures impacting campus-wide nursing operations
• Completes chart audits, clinical observations, and medication room checks as instructed by the Director of Nursing PA-IDD ICF Campus or Director of Nursing -- Behavioral Health & Campus Activities
• Provides program on-site training to other nurses/staff as directed by the Director of Nursing PA-IDD ICF Campus or Director of Nursing -- Behavioral Health & Campus Activities; follows-up on nursing training received as needed to ensure proper procedures are being followed
• Makes rounds on the units, including Natale Media, to monitor and support unit nurses to ensure that each individual's health needs are being met; serves as a resource person and provides direction as needed
• Makes rounds on any unit that is staffed by a newly hired Elwyn Nurse or a newly assigned agency nurse within the first (2) hours of the shift
• Provides orientation for any newly hired or assigned nurses at the request of the HCC or the Director
• Provides supervision of assigned nursing staff: this includes but is not limited to, recruitment, selection, leadership, coaching, training, performance management, promotion, discipline and termination
• Oversees unit nurses to ensure that they maintain a clean and organized work environment consistent with accepted infection control standards
• Assesses inventory levels for medical/nursing supplies in the Nursing Sign-in-Room, Charge Nurse vehicle, and units on a regular basis; orders replacement supplies as needed.
• Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), crisis intervention and medication administration using agency-trained protocols
• Performs other duties as assigned

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

• Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred
• Three (3) years of management/supervisory experience in a nursing setting
• Two (2) years of experience with the Intellectual Developmental Disabilities/Autism Spectrum Disorder population preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage and prioritize multiple, often competing demands
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated strong time management and organizational skills
• Demonstrated excellent judgment with the ability to independently solve problems and make decisions with little or no need for direct supervision
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate operational/clinical changes needed in the future or to identify specific problem areas and take effective action to course correct
• Provides proper notification and advanced notice of absences or tardiness
• Demonstrates flexibility with schedule and willingness to adjust personal schedule to meet the needs of both the larger department and the individuals served
• Must be able to perform CPR and crisis intervention using agency-trained protocols
• Must possess excellent customer interaction, collaboration, presentation, and written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated basic experience with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Experience using Electronic Health Record (EHR) / Electronic Medical Record (EMR) preferred
• Must possess a current, valid driver's license in state of residence, have a minimum of two (2) years of driving experience within the United States, and have an acceptable driving record