RN-Charge Med Surg Weekdays

Ohio County Healthcare•Hartford, KY

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The RN Charge (Med/Surg/Swing Charge Nurse/House Supervisor) supervises nursing staff and patient care on the assigned shift, ensuring care follows current nursing standards, Ohio County Hospital policies and procedures, the Kentucky Board of Nursing Scope of Practice, and other regulatory requirements. The role also provides direct patient care to patients of all age groups when needed to meet staffing requirements and oversees swing bed patient care, including assessment, care planning, implementation, reassessment, and patient care conferences. The Charge Nurse promotes communication and teamwork among staff, leadership, physicians, practitioners, and other healthcare providers. When department directors and/or administrative personnel are absent, the role assumes administrative responsibility for hospital services and staff. The position also supports staffing and scheduling, staff development and performance management, regulatory compliance, and the hospital’s performance improvement activities.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent; a GED agreement may be allowed, with completion within six months.
Associate’s degree in nursing (ADN).
Two years of Med/Surg nursing experience.
Active RN license in Kentucky or a compact state.
BLS, ACLS, and PALS provider credentials, or obtain them within six months of employment.
NIH certification, or obtain it within six months of employment.
Ability to stand, walk, turn, bend, stoop, and lift; lifting over 50 pounds requires a team lift or lifting aid.
Clear speech and fine and gross motor skills.
Ability to work under stressful conditions.
Ability to communicate effectively, solve problems, think critically, demonstrate leadership and decision-making, and maintain a high level of clinical experience.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Four years of nursing experience.
One year of charge nurse or supervisory experience.
Experience in more than one area of nursing.

Responsibilities

Supervise Med/Surg/Swing nursing staff on the assigned shift, including patient assignments, delegation, performance feedback, coaching, appraisals, and orientation.
Supervise patient care delivery and ensure nursing services comply with current standards, hospital policies, the KBN Scope of Practice, and regulatory requirements.
Provide direct patient care to patients of all age groups as needed to support appropriate staffing.
Assist in evaluating potential swing bed patients and oversee swing bed care, including assessment, care planning, implementation, reassessment, and patient care conferences.
Promote teamwork and effective communication between staff and leadership, and collaborate with physicians, practitioners, and other healthcare providers.
Assume administrative responsibility for hospital services and staff in the absence of department directors and/or administrative personnel.
Keep the Manager and staff informed about matters affecting the Nursing Department, hospital, and unit; attend supervisory and staff meetings and share relevant information with shift personnel.
Inform the Manager of actual or anticipated staffing, performance, or patient-related problems.
Provide visible guidance and oversight to staff and patients or family members; address questions and concerns, and conduct staff meetings as assigned.
Keep the Emergency Department updated on bed availability and, when serving as House Supervisor, institute processes for high census alerts or diversion.
Maintain staffing levels in accordance with staffing guidelines, patient needs, and staffing mix; submit staffing reports and ensure accurate 24-hour census reports.
Justify overtime, update the master staffing schedule as changes occur, and recommend capital equipment, operational, and staffing needs for budget preparation.
Ensure patient charge items are charged appropriately, reduce waste and rework, and support staff productivity.
Supervise safe, efficient patient care on the Med/Surg/Swing unit and, when acting as House Supervisor during leadership absences, throughout the hospital.
Interpret and enforce standards, policies, procedures, and hospital-wide compliance, infection control, safety, emergency operations, personnel, employee health, and administrative requirements.
Delegate responsibilities according to staff scope of practice, licensure, training, competencies, and education.
Participate in performance improvement initiatives, including identifying projects, collecting and analyzing data, contributing to action plans, and evaluating improvement processes.
Ensure the department has necessary supplies and equipment.
Ensure the nursing process identifies patient needs, involves patients in care planning, implements appropriate nursing actions, and evaluates and documents patient response; perform periodic documentation checks.
Receive handoff communication, make complete patient rounds at least once per shift, maintain general knowledge of assigned-unit patients, and accept direct patient care assignments when needed.
Demonstrate knowledge of normal growth and development, intervene as needed for patient safety, know the location and need for the malignant hyperthermia cart, and address pain management.
Complete performance appraisals for assigned-shift Med/Surg/Swing staff in consultation with the Department Manager, including a collaborative work improvement plan, by designated deadlines.
Identify staff learning needs, assist with learning opportunities, and provide at least one in-service per year.
Counsel and coach nursing employees, communicate expectations and follow-up dates, and collaborate with the Department Manager on counseling and recommendations for termination.
Maintain staff privacy when providing individual recommendations for improvement and provide input on staff performance when Department Managers are absent.