About the position
At Houston Methodist, the Charge Nurse position is a licensed professional Registered Nurse (RN), who, as an experienced clinician, functions at the Competent to Proficient stage of Benner's model of clinical practice. This position creates an environment for the management and delivery of safe patient care. In addition to fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of a clinical nurse, the Charge Nurse position is a role model and coach to department personnel and assists in developing their skills and knowledge. This position provides nursing care to a diverse patient population. Besides conducting nursing assessments, assisting with exams and treatment and maintenance of medical records, this position assists in coaching and mentoring department staff in areas of clinical and professional practice. Role modeling compassionate communication with physicians and the interprofessional health care team, the Charge Nurse assumes leadership responsibilities with high level contributions at the bedside, unit, service line, and across the institution. Responsibilities for this position may include but are not limited to leading unit and shared governance activities, assessing unit needs related to practice and improvement opportunities, serving as a clinical resource for both unit and hospital staff and coordinating unit and hospital-wide education in partnership with management.
Responsibilities
- Fosters staff engagement by demonstrating active listening, requesting and acknowledging feedback, making equitable decisions, providing rationale when appropriate, and supporting organizational goals.
- Role models fair and consistent leadership skills for effective team dynamics and team building strategies through problem solving, coaching, and developing staff.
- Functions as a mentor and resource to unit staff, provides oversight for students/new employee/preceptorships.
- Leads the patient and family-centered care standards, as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document.
- Maintains ongoing interactions with patients, families, and staff on the improvement of patient care through leader rounding.
- Drives department service standards and activities to improve department score for patient satisfaction on unit-based scorecard.
- Models the standards of care related to the nursing process, as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document.
- Coordinates nursing care throughout the shift considering patient acuity, staff skill level and safety.
- Facilitates seamless patient flow to/from/through the department, leading the delivery of quality family-centered care throughout the continuum of care.
- Participates in initiatives to improve quality and safety scores on the unit and hospital scorecards.
- Implements department strategies to achieve financial target on unit-based scorecard.
- Attends daily care coordination rounds to facilitate patient progression.
- Provides input into unit resource utilization including unit capital and operational budget needs.
- Fosters identification and implementation of innovative solutions for practice changes to improve patient care or unit operations.
- Expands individual nursing knowledge and coaches staff to grow in knowledge, abilities, skills, and attitudes.
Requirements
- Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s).
- Twenty four months of clinical nursing experience with demonstration of progressive leadership skills.
- RN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure - Compact Licensure - Must obtain permanent Texas license within 60 days.
- BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA).
- NRP - Neonatal Resuscitation (AHA,AAP).
Nice-to-haves
- Magnet - ANCC Recognized Certification (ANCC).
