CHARGE NURSE - GENERAL SURGERY UNIT

Status: Full Time

Shift: 7P nights with rotating weekends

Exempt: No


Summary:

JOB OBJECTIVES:

Responsible for the oversight of patient care for the department/unit assigned. Coordinates the clinical care of all patients located on the unit assigned. Ensures the cohesive delivery of services, patient satisfaction and safety. Supervises staff on nursing units in the absence of the Unit Director/Coordinator to assure that nursing standards and quality initiatives are met. Provides feedback to department leadership for performance improvement.


Other information:

A. Experience, Knowledge and Skill

1. 18 months of LPN experience with 6 months of RN experience and successful completion of preceptor course within 12 months

OR

1 year of RN experience with successful completion of preceptor course within 12 months.

2 years of experience preferred.

2. Specialized or Technical Education Required:

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing and possess current registration with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.


3. Manual or Physical Skill Required:

4. Physical Effort Required:

Strength: Medium Push: Occasionally Pull: Occasionally

Carry: Occasionally Lift: Occasionally Sit: Occasionally

Stand: Frequently Walk: Frequently

Responsibilities:

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

1. Validates staffing needs with the Administrative Nursing Supervisor based on the unit's staffing plan and patient care needs.


o When identifying staffing needs, takes into consideration patient needs and acuity, admits and discharges, staff competency, FAN or agency assigned, and staff in orientation.

o Completes patient assignments each shift based on acuity and staff skills.


o Assess all reported changes in status for appropriateness of assignment and placement.


o Assess the care of the patients assigned to an LPN. Delegates care to a Registered Nurse as needed.


o Monitors staff competency and patient acuity to ensure patient safety. Notifies management team of concerns.

2. Monitors and maintains efficient patient flow.


o Collaborates with Administrative Nursing Supervisor/Bed Control for proper patient placement (Staff Competency and Patient Acuity used as factors)

o Communicates patient discharge planning needs with department case manager, social worker, and other disciplines as appropriate.


o Facilitates timely patient admissions, discharges, and transfers.


o Works closely with EVS staff to maintain quick bed turnover.

o Manages efficient coordination of care for observation patients.

3. Patient Care/Experience.

o Rounds on patients to ensure satisfaction of patient experience. Provides immediate service recovery for noted issues. Communicates concerns to management team.

o Supports and maintains compliance with hourly rounding expectations for care team.

o Ensures call lights are answered timely.

o Monitors team for compliance with service delivery initiatives.


4. Department Operations.

Clinical/service:

o Monitors desk for new patient orders and timely transcription/processing.

o Monitors new orders for safety concerns (unapproved abbreviations and "blanket orders") and works with Pharmacy and Medical Staff to clarify.

o Ensures safe work environment - frequently communicates with staff and others to address concerns as they occur.

o Ensures compliance for performance and documentation with core measures, prevention of hospital acquired conditions/infections (falls, CAUTIs, CLABSIs), pre/post-op processes, restraint utilization, critical values, changes in patient condition, medication reconciliation, PEC/CEC patients, and isolation compliance.


o Welcomes float/agency staff and ensures they are comfortable with department, patient assignment and equipment use. Provides immediate education and competency validation as needed.


o Assumes or monitors the care of critically ill patients (codes, etc.) until appropriate transfer has been completed.


o Documents all care delivered and reassessments completed. Documents follow-up to any concerns from a patient.

o Screens outgoing call to physicians for appropriateness and staff readiness to respond to incoming returned phone calls.

o Monitors for timely completion of consultations, both medical staff and ancillary support services consults.


o Aware of physicians rounding for appropriate privileges and record access


o Monitors staff compliance with Patient Services, Department and Administrative Policies/Procedures and Programs. Provides immediate/confidential corrective action and competency demonstration and communicates concerns to management team.


o New employees - ongoing monitoring of progression, feedback to Coordinator/Director, and evaluation input. Ensures orientation experience is met as planned and meets expectations of new staff.

o Validates physicians have privileges prior to patient record access. Verify physician special procedure privilege prior to physician performing invasive procedure.

Operational:

o Monitors meal periods and breaks to ensure adequate staffing at all times.

o Monitors staff productivity. Adjusts staffing as patient volume changes.

o Monitors general housekeeping/appearance of department. Contacts Environmental Services (EVS) as needed. Keeps hallways clear.


o Assures storage and security of equipment. Reports equipment errors/repairs timely and correctly.

o Maintains supply inventory, charging and resolution of lost charges daily.

o Completes daily crash cart checks and weekly eye wash station flushing.

o Ensures disaster box complete with all necessary forms.

o Completes Quantros report for all unexpected patient outcomes, unresolved patient/family complaints, unresolved physician/ancillary complaints with all known information at the time.


o Notifies Administrative Nursing Supervisor for all staff injuries. Notifies Security for visitor injuries.


o Immediately notifies management with beginning investigative findings and follow-up on all pertinent data relating to above unexpected events.

o Ensures midnight chart checks are completed accurately and follow-up on any outstanding findings is completed and/or reported.

Leadership:

o Keeps the Unit Coordinator/Director informed of staff, patient, and physician issues.


o Promotes positive relationships with unit staff and ancillary departments providing service to the department

o Promotes satisfactory relationships among the unit staff, other departments, the medical staff, and external agencies (ie. Ambulance services, law enforcement, etc).

o Maintains confidentiality

o Channels suggestions, criticism, and questions to Coordinator/Director.

o Assists leadership with enforcement of professional behavioral standards and job role responsibilities for care delivery team.

o Assists in maintaining ongoing preparedness for inspections/surveys.

o Provides input to employee evaluations.


o Assists with identification of learning needs for all staff.


o Maintains a positive attitude and promotes compliance with organizational and department goals at all times.

5. Assists with assignments as delegated by Department Management Team.