Job Description

Working with the department manager, the RN Charge Nurse provides leadership and clinical expertise on their respective shift and department. They coordinate unit resources to ensure appropriate staffing levels based on the unique needs of patients on the unit, both clinically and financially. They function as clinical support for staff and are a role model of competency and professionalism.

Essential Functions Performs appropriate assessment of physical, social, and psychological status (including cognitive, communicative and developmental skills as appropriate). Seeks and evaluates information acquired from other members of interdisciplinary team: patient, family, physician, non-nursing disciplines, support staff, others. Uses assessment information and critical thinking skills to collaboratively develop individualized plan of care.

Actively seeks patient, family, team, and physician involvement to develop plan of care including needed education. Collaboratively plans and prepares patients for further support needs once the current episode of care outcomes are met (i.e., teaching, referrals, and follow-up). Directs the interdisciplinary care team via delegation, coordination, and collaboration.

Provides or delegates care consistent with plan of care, guidelines of care, and professional licensure provisions. Demonstrates the ability to set priorities and to coordinate and organize patient care delivery through managing time, supplies, and resources. Evaluates patient response to interventions through review of achievement of goals, clinical outcomes, and patient and family satisfaction.

Revises plan of care as indicated and reassesses changes as appropriate. Demonstrates professional behavior. Ensures staff accountability to the same standards. Encourages nursing professionalism by coaching and developing others.

Integrates legal and ethical standards into practice, complies with regulatory standards, practices within scope of licensure, provides accurate & timely documentation, and understands legal implications of care delivery. Estimates current and next shift staffing needs to deliver optimal patient care. Matches nurse skill levels with patient requirements.

Manages premium pay and overtime efficiently for cost-effectiveness and allocates resources appropriately. Accountable for operational and clinical leadership of the unit or department including setting clear expectations and holding staff accountable for outcomes and behaviors. Mediates conflicts between staff, families, physicians, and other departments.

Acts as a resource for setting clear expectations related to hourly rounds, communication boards, and joint bedside report. Guides others and initiates conversations using appropriate tools to resolve problems and to encourage accountability and professional growth. Supports and enforces Intermountain and unit policies and procedures to ensure safety, quality, compliance, and patient care.

Activates chain of command, rapid response, or code alerts when appropriate to facilitate patient and staff safety. Actively participates in and facilitates continuous quality improvement in areas of clinical care, service experience, and operational effectiveness. Required to complete Charge Nurse training.

Skills Assessment Planning Implementation Evaluation Collaboration Leadership Communication

Minimum Qualifications Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in state of practice. Valid compact licenses must be transferred to the state of practice within 60 days of the start of employment.

Basic Life

Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers.

Unit Specific

Certification as required (i.e., ACLS, PALS, etc.).

Experience in assigned clinical area. Mentoring experience. Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution (degree will be verified).

Registered

Nurses (RNs) hired or promoted into this role must obtain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) within four years of their hire or promotion date. If there is an existing education agreement, that agreement will take precedence.

Preferred Qualifications One year of clinical nursing experience.

Physical Requirements Ongoing need for employee to see and read information, labels, assess patient needs, operate monitors, identify equipment and supplies. Frequent interactions with patient care providers, patients, and visitors that require employee to verbally communicate as well as hear and understand spoken information, alarms, needs, and issues quickly and accurately, particularly during emergency situations. Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to manipulate complex and delicate equipment with precision and accuracy. This includes frequent computer use and typing for documenting patient care, accessing needed information, medication preparation, etc. E