RN Charge Nurse - Psych Acute

Garden Grove Hospital Medical Center•Garden Grove, CA

20h•$57 - $71

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Charge Nurse is accountable to the Department Director for nursing staff quality and patient care delivery during the shift, and assists the Director with daily unit or department operations. The role communicates unanticipated patient care events and risk management activities to the Director and/or House Supervisor; coordinates nursing staffing, assignments, and scheduling; provides staff direction, supervision, evaluation, and education; and assists with performance reviews, progressive discipline, and related human resources activities. The Charge Nurse monitors supplies and equipment, supports maintenance of par levels, and collaborates with other department leaders to coordinate patient services and improve patient flow, including admissions, discharges, and transfers. The role regularly assesses care delivery and documentation, directs immediate changes to care plans when appropriate to protect patient safety and meet regulatory and organizational requirements, and escalates issues through the chain of command. The nurse interviews patients and families during admission and rounds, orients them to the unit, and explains how to access services and the Charge Nurse. The Charge Nurse may also provide direct patient care within scope of practice and clinical competency; Charge Nurse duties are temporarily reassigned during that care, with details documented on the patient care assignment record.

Requirements

Current and valid state RN license.
Current BLS upon hire and maintained thereafter.
Working knowledge of mental health laws, practice standards, interdisciplinary treatment team processes, behavioral health programming, and daily nursing functions for inpatient and outpatient behavioral units.
Receive and maintain LPS Certification as deemed necessary.
Complete approved training on LPS statuses and patient rights and successfully pass the LPS Certification exam.
Obtain approved LPS certification before writing 5150 holds in designated Prime facilities.
For LPS Professionals, experience in an inpatient mental health facility per County requirements.
Patients Rights Education/Competency required within 30 days of hire and maintained thereafter.

Nice To Haves

Previous supervisory experience.
Experience with continuum of care for behavioral health care.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Responsibilities

Be accountable to the Department Director for nursing staff quality and patient care delivery during the shift.
Assist the Director with daily operations of the unit or department.
Communicate unanticipated patient care events and risk management activities to the Director and/or House Supervisor.
Use nursing personnel effectively and assist with scheduling, staffing, and assignments.
Direct, supervise, and evaluate staff, and provide staff education as necessary.
Assist with performance evaluations, progressive discipline, and related human resources activities as needed.
Assess supply and equipment availability, ensure proper use and functionality, and assist with maintaining par levels.
Collaborate with other department managers and supervisors to coordinate patient services, patient flow, and admission, discharge, and transfer processes.
Assess patient care delivery and the quality of care documentation consistently.
Direct staff to make immediate changes to plans of care when appropriate to support patient safety and compliance with regulatory guidelines and hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and clinical pathways.
Notify the Department Director, House Supervisor, and/or Medical Staff as appropriate through the chain of command.
Interview patients and families on admission and during rounds, orient them to the unit, and explain how to access services and the Charge Nurse.
Provide direct patient care within scope of practice and clinical competency when needed to ensure patient safety and appropriate patient-to-nurse ratios.
Ensure temporary reassignment of Charge Nurse duties and documentation when providing direct patient care.