Charge RN (BHU) - Loan Forgiveness - Full Time, Nights (Van Nuys) - 10398

Southern California Hospitals•Los Angeles, CA

3d•$48 - $68

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Charge Nurse oversees clinical functions related to patient care, nursing practice quality, and standards of care during the assigned shift. The Charge RN directs unit patient-care activities by assigning staff and functions according to patient needs and staff skills, while maintaining clinical nursing skills and unit-specific expertise. The role includes professional nursing duties to assess, plan, intervene, and advocate for patients and their families throughout the continuum of care, as well as providing and arranging break relief, troubleshooting issues, and serving as a role model and clinical resource. The Charge RN supervises and directs staff RNs, LVNs, and Mental Health Workers, and provides input to the Administrative House Supervisor on employee counseling, evaluation, scheduling, and discipline. The position reports directly to the Administrative House Supervisor. Responsibilities include overseeing unit operations, supporting staff development, coordinating and monitoring patient care, contributing to individualized plans of care, and promoting safe, high-quality, evidence-based nursing practice.

Requirements

Active, current, unencumbered Registered Nurse license in the State of California.
Graduation from an accredited school of nursing.
AHA Basic Life Saving certification.
Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
Ability to maintain flexibility and composure in a constantly changing environment.
Hospital Fire and Life Safety Card for Los Angeles City employees only.
Understanding of patient classification and staffing requirements for the patient population.
Demonstrated experience in a leadership role.
Minimum of one year of nursing experience.
Management of Assaultive Behavior Certification upon start date.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Bilingual skills to communicate effectively with patients and families.
Prior experience as a Charge Nurse in an acute care setting.
Recent behavioral health experience in an acute psychiatric setting.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (RN-BC) Certification.

Responsibilities

Continuously supervise RNs, LVNs, and Mental Health Workers in the provision of patient care and provide direct patient care as needed.
Assign staff and unit functions based on patient needs, staff competencies, and patient acuity; ensure acuity assessments are completed.
Oversee and coordinate daily unit operations, troubleshoot issues, and resolve them using experience and judgment.
Recognize changes in patients’ clinical conditions and respond or direct staff to respond appropriately, documenting interventions.
Ensure safe, effective, age-appropriate administration of medications, treatments, and procedures consistent with scope of practice and nursing standards.
Promote compliance with hospital patient-care standards, evidence-based nursing practice, core measures, Infection Control procedures, and HIPAA requirements.
Collaborate with physicians and the healthcare team to coordinate care, intervene, advocate for patients, and make appropriate referrals.
Contribute to employee coaching, training, counseling, discipline, performance assessments, hiring decisions, orientation, and training of new employees.
Develop long- and short-term goals with treating physicians, consistent with treatment plans and standards of practice, while considering patient preferences.
Assess patient conditions and direct staff to use pain-management resources and other appropriate interventions.
Support and direct ongoing patient assessments and documentation of physical and psychosocial conditions and responses to care.
Review test results, identify critical results, communicate them promptly, and incorporate relevant information into the plan of care.
Delegate and monitor patient-care activities and provide staff, patients, and families with information, guidance, resources, and education about treatment, care plans, and medications.
Develop and implement accurate patient teaching and ongoing discharge plans.
Provide break relief coverage and ensure break relief for the shift.
Demonstrate compassionate, culturally responsive interactions with patients, support systems, physicians, and coworkers, and promote caring behaviors among staff.