Charge Nurse - Acute Psychiatric Unit (Departmental Promotional Only)

County of San Mateo•San Mateo, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

San Mateo Medical Center is seeking an experienced full-time Charge Nurse for its Acute Psychiatric Unit, day shift. This is a 34-bed, 24-hour unit staffed by a multidisciplinary team. Patients present with a range of issues including crisis intervention, drug-related problems, and chronic medical conditions. The Charge Nurse coordinates unit functioning across all shifts, supervises 10-18 nursing staff, and may perform direct patient care. The day shift charge nurse participates in daily treatment team meetings, facilitates communication of the treatment plan to nursing staff, coordinates admissions and discharges, and participates in performance improvement activities. This role is responsible for ensuring staff assignments are completed and safety information is communicated.

Requirements

Current California license as a Registered Nurse.
Current BLS certification.
Several years of acute psychiatric nursing experience.
At least one year of supervisory experience, or experience as an acting charge nurse.
Experience in providing education and updates to staff.
Experience in scheduling for multiple shifts.
Experience with review of timecards.
Excellent communication skills.
Strong clinical background in high-acuity psych care, crisis intervention, and de-escalation protocols.
Proven ability to supervise diverse nursing teams (RNs, LVNs, LPTs) and translate daily treatment plans into actionable staff assignments.
Experience managing fast-paced admissions/discharges and executing detailed safety pass-offs between shifts.
Proficient in shift scheduling, timecard review, and managing staffing ratios across multiple shifts.
Strong communication skills with a track record of educating, updating, and mentoring unit staff.
Knowledge of Nurse Practice Act and professional and governmental standards or regulations pertaining to nursing.
Knowledge of nursing theories, principles, methods and practices.
Knowledge of safety and infection control principles.
Knowledge of clinical systems, supplies and equipment.
Knowledge of principles of staff development.
Knowledge of supervisory principles.
Ability to perform and evaluate the performance of nursing procedures required for the assigned shift and clinical setting.
Ability to plan, organize, supervise and evaluate the work of nursing staff.
Ability to comprehend, interpret, and implement nursing policies and procedures.
Ability to instruct and train professional and paraprofessional employees.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to maintain professional nurse-patient and nurse-physician relationships.
Ability to prepare reports and maintain accurate records.
Current County of San Mateo employees in San Mateo County Health with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date may apply.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of quality improvement processes is strongly preferred.
A Crisis Prevention Institute certification is strongly preferred.
Familiarity with Quality Improvement processes to drive performance metrics, safety standards, and operational improvements on the unit.

Responsibilities

Assess, evaluate and direct nursing activities on an assigned shift to provide quality care to patients in compliance with prescribed standards and in conjunction with nursing management.
Supervise and perform nursing assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation and documentation of patient care on the unit.
Work in conjunction with nursing management to coordinate adequate unit staffing for the assigned shift.
Participate with unit or clinic nursing management in interviewing, hiring, completing evaluations and performing disciplinary counseling of staff.
Supervise the work of professional and paraprofessional nursing staff.
Work with nursing management to identify staff development needs and to implement continuing education programs.
Assist nursing management in planning unit or clinic budget.
Interpret policies and procedures to nursing staff.
Participate in staff meetings.
Coordinate with ancillary support departments to coordinate total patient care.
Maintain and evaluate records.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Participate in the daily treatment team meeting and facilitates communication of the treatment plan to nursing staff.
Coordinate admissions and discharges.
Participate in performance activity improvement on the unit.
Ensure staff has completed their assignments and that important safety information is communicated to staff.