RN Registered Nurse Charge Nurse Full Time Days

Vibra Travels•Brookport, IL

About The Position

The Registered Nurse Charge Nurse is responsible for directing and supervising nursing department personnel during the assigned shift. The Charge Nurse ensures appropriate patient assignments, supports treatments and medication administration as needed, communicates changes in patients’ conditions to physicians, reviews patient care, and serves as a leader and resource for staff. The role provides care to adult and geriatric patients aged 18 and over while respecting each patient’s rights, dignity, and individuality. It includes coordinating admissions, discharges, and transfers; delegating and monitoring staff work; responding to emergencies and patient or family concerns; overseeing unit supplies, staffing, documentation, equipment readiness, and patient-care procedures; and coordinating with other hospital departments and therapies. The Charge Nurse also participates in quality assurance, performance improvement, policy review, staff meetings, and in-service programs. The position supervises nursing staff, including LPNs, CNAs or PCTs, Unit Assistants, and Telemetry Technicians. Candidates must hold a current RN license in the state of employment, have BLS certification upon hire or within six weeks of hire, and obtain ACLS certification within 90 days of employment. Licenses and certifications must be maintained throughout employment.

Requirements

Current RN license to practice in the state of employment.
Basic computer skills and knowledge of word processing.
BLS certification upon hire or within six weeks of the hire date.
Obtain ACLS certification within 90 days of employment and maintain required licenses and certifications throughout employment.
Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily; reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Responsibilities

Direct and supervise nursing department personnel during the assigned shift, serving as a leader and resource for staff.
Provide care for adult and geriatric patients aged 18 and over while respecting patients’ rights, dignity, and individuality.
Make equitable patient assignments based on staff ability and patient needs.
Delegate unit and patient-related tasks to Nurse Aides, LPNs, and RNs, and monitor their timely completion.
Make rounds and respond to emergency situations.
Address patient and family concerns, document them, and initiate resolution.
Coordinate patient admissions, discharges, and transfers.
Coordinate the acquisition of unit supplies and equipment from Central Supply in collaboration with the materials department.
Review daily staffing schedules, address staffing issues, and use staffing cost-effectively in accordance with the staffing matrix and scheduling algorithms.
Complete shift reports and relay pertinent patient information to the oncoming Charge Nurse, keeping the Nurse Manager or others informed as appropriate.
Supervise complete, timely, and accurate documentation of patient care.
Demonstrate competence in basic and advanced skills required on the assigned unit and provide clinical assistance to staff.
Check emergency equipment during the shift and document checks.
Act as Team Leader during Code situations.
Perform iSTAT instrument testing according to approved technical procedures.
Ensure the unit and patient rooms are clean and organized.
Initiate nursing orders for isolation precautions for new admissions and maintain current precautions and signage.
Monitor patient telemetry procedures, notify the nurse of alarms, document alarms, include them in shift reports, and report malfunctions or equipment failures.
Ensure staff change and label IV tubing, feeding bags, catheters, dressings, and related items according to hospital policies and procedures.
Participate in developing, reviewing, and revising policies and procedures; inform staff of changes and review proper use.
Participate in assigned quality-assurance activities.
Attend monthly Charge Nurse and staff meetings and participate in unit in-service programs.
Participate in the Unit Performance Improvement Plan, coordinate assigned review and monitoring activities, involve other staff where feasible, and lead the Process Improvement team.
Ensure safe, effective, and cost-effective patient-care practices and report concerns to a supervisor.
Use the chain of command to obtain assistance and guidance for patient-care, staff, or unit problems.
Review the dietary log for accuracy and complete the daily census.
Use Cerner, STAR, and Healthland, including ordering or canceling physician orders.
Resolve Omnicell discrepancies according to policy and procedure.
Ensure required forms are complete, including EMTALA, Incident Reports, ROI, Lifeshare, and Record of Death forms.
Coordinate and plan nursing interventions with Therapies.
Communicate with the host hospital nursing supervisor when necessary, including for bed arrangements and dietary matters.
Demonstrate procedures related to nursing equipment and supplies.
Adhere to the Hospital Compliance Plan and report violations or suspected violations to the Compliance Officer.
Maintain professional conduct and comply with hospital and departmental policies and procedures, including attendance requirements.
Comply with bloodborne-pathogen prevention measures, the Hazardous Material Program, and established safety and patient-safety practices.
Recognize patient abuse and follow policies for appropriate referrals and interventions.
Participate in Performance Improvement activities.
Limit access to protected health information to what is reasonably necessary for work and share it only on a need-to-know basis.
Perform other incidental and related duties as required or assigned.