RN Charge Nurse

Department of Public Safety•Abilene, TX

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. The RN - Charge Nurse performs advanced (senior-level) nursing work within the scope of practice attributed to the skills of a registered nurse, under the supervision of the Nurse Manager or other designated staff. Performs comprehensive physical health assessments. Responds to medical emergencies and provides care and treatment of residents and staff members in emergency situations. Assists with the planning, developing, coordination and evaluation of activities related to the nursing function of the assigned area. Develops and presents information in various formats including a meeting format and an In-service training/teaching format. Educates and trains of all levels of staff members and serves as a preceptor to new nursing staff members and for nursing students doing rotations at the facility. Assists the Nurse Manager with leadership and supervision of nursing staff, and assigns the work of others. Provides treatment to HHS employees injured in course and scope of employment. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends.

Requirements

Licensed to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Texas or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.
At least one (1) year experience as a practicing registered nurse is required.
Must maintain current CPR certification.
Must have strength and flexibility to safely perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Knowledge of emergency procedures and emergency equipment, i.e., CPR., and ability to assess and care for residents and/or staff members in emergency situations.
Ability to coordinate on-going health care during routine daily activities or during special activities.
Skill in completion of schedules for nurse staffing and ratios including scheduling of nursing staff for required training/education and workshops.
Ability to work independently and productively with all levels of staff.

Nice To Haves

At least two (2) years of experience as a practicing registered nurse in a health agency, hospital, or health-care facility preferred.
Bachelor's Degree is preferred.
Nursing Leadership experience is preferred.
Previous experience working with Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) is preferred.
Knowledge of state and federal laws and Intermediate Care Facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF-IID) rules, regulations, policy and procedures related to State Supported Living Center or ability to quickly gain that knowledge.
Skills in the use of computer/software and an electronic health record system.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present ideas clearly and concisely in both written and oral communications.
Ability to provide patient care; to prepare and maintain records; to organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities and delivery of health services; to interpret policies and procedures; to interpret health care regulations; to recognize patterns of medical necessity treatment; and to plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others.
Ability to interpret regulations and communicate them effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to appropriately interact with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, with their family members, and with staff members.
Knowledge of nursing care standards, the Settlement Agreement and the Healthcare Guidelines or ability to quickly gain the knowledge.

Responsibilities

Performs comprehensive physical health assessments that include vital signs, listening for lung and bowel sounds, determining blood sugar level, oxygen saturation and more based upon clinical judgment related to acute illness and/or injury to determine appropriate nursing interventions for optimal positive outcomes in individual’s health and well-being.
Completes the physical assessment form and places it in the individual’s medical record.
Communicates health status and needs to other disciplines, including primary care physician, nursing staff, and families as needed.
Responds to medical emergencies requiring immediate assessment and treatment by medical staff.
The nurse will control the emergency scene in the absence of the primary care provider, and makes decision as to whether individual should be transported to the emergency room by EMS.
Completes all required paperwork and places it in the individual’s medical record.
Maintains emergency equipment and supplies in designated area and ensures that equipment and supplies are checked daily by nursing staff.
Participates in emergency drills with direct contact staff, such as medical and nursing staff, direct support professionals, psychologists, and therapists, to ensure all staff members are adequately trained, using equipment in good working order and can demonstrate correct procedures in dealing with emergency situations involving the health of individuals and staff.
Provides oversight of subordinate nursing staff; delegates work assignments; reviews nursing activities in the assigned area.
Sets goals and long range plans for the assigned area and makes recommendations to the Nurse Manager and others for improvement; makes rounds of assigned area to ensure that prescribed methods and procedures are followed; directs overall nursing care of assigned area; and updates others about pertinent information concerning unit operations and the individual’s health status.
Assists Nurse Manager with supervision of subordinate nursing staff by participating in interviews and selection of staff, provides performance data toward the evaluation of subordinate nursing staff in assigned area and makes recommendations to the Nurse Manager on performance evaluation ratings, and makes recommendations regarding disciplinary or reward actions.
Actively participates in interdisciplinary team meetings with members including but not limited to the individual, direct support professional, qualified intellectual disability professional, behavioral health specialist, RN/nursing services, therapists, dietician, primary care provider, psychiatrist, dental, pharmacy, vocational services, day programming/retirement, and social workers related to care of individuals in order to manage and coordinate health care to achieve optimal health.
Monitors and oversees others to ensure safe professional nursing practices are maintained.
Provides teaching and training to staff and individuals on topics including but not limited to medication administration, immunizations, and treatment and observation of individuals for unusual symptoms and reactions.
Reviews physician’s orders and Medication Administration Records to ascertain that medications/treatments are administered as ordered.
Notifies the Nurse Manager and others of any exceptions and makes recommendations regarding corrective action to be taken.
Serves as a preceptor to new subordinate nursing staff and nursing students doing rotations within the assigned area; assists the new nurse to complete the “on the job training” checklist, observes and gives feedback as the new nurse performs daily assignments, plans daily learning experiences for the new nurse, meets with the Nurse Manager at the end of the orientation/preceptorship to discuss progress made, and is a continued resource for the new nurse.
Maintains compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules and regulation, community health and nursing care principles, practices and procedures, of program regulations and procedures, ICF/IID rules, regulations, policy and procedures related to SSLC facilities.
Participates in competency-based training, continuing education activities, and meetings in order to maintain competence in nursing best practice; complies with state mandated continuing education requirements to maintain licensure as a registered nurse; maintains compliance in all agency required core and specialty training requirements in order to ensure competent performance on the job; and maintains skills in CPR and other emergency techniques.
Attends meetings as assigned and makes rounds of assigned area(s) on a regular basis.
Provides treatment to HHS employees injured in course and scope of employment.
Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.