Charge Nurse - Observation Unit

Full Time Nights - Charge Nurse - Bethesda North Hospital - Observation Unit / CDU

Job Overview :

This position is delegated the responsibility and accountability to coordinate the patient care delivered on a shift, through assigned nursing personnel, on a specific unit(s). The Charge Nurse functions in a non-management capacity and often has a patient assignment.

Job Requirements :

Certification within specialty area within two years of assuming position.

Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) ACLS / PALS may be required but is dependent on unit or department

ECG interpretation competency and ACLS certification within 12 months of assuming role. Maintains ECG competency and ACLS certification while in role.

Registered Nurse

Knowledge, judgment, and skills derived from the principles of biological, physical, behavioral, social, and nursing sciences to meet complex health care needs at various stages of the life cycle

2-3 years Clinical in Nursing experience

Job Responsibilities :

Assists in coordinating the delivery of patient care in collaboration with others. Communicates with the unit staff, and acts as a resource concerning standards of care, policies, and procedures. Identifies actual / potential problems. Cooperates with instructors and students from various programs and creates assignments and work schedules to match patient needs and staff abilities.  Actively supports the work of unit and organizational committees.  Participates on teams to evaluate clinical practice or health services and implements ongoing quality changes in nursing practice. Promotes the review of current literature / research and facilitates implementation of best practices.

Acts as a clinical resource for unit personnel. Performs nursing technical skills in compliance with unit / TriHealth policies.  Performs specialty / unit-specific skills and competencies.  Interprets and executes physician orders accurately.  Directs unit activities in which safe, clinically competent care is given to patients.  Delegates care to other team members within the scope of nursing practice.  Shares clinical information with appropriate health care team members including physicians.  Maintains and improves current knowledge in area of practice through activities such as continuing education, formal education, professional organization membership, and / or certification.  Acts as a role model for efficient, effective, comprehensive patient care.

Assists in overall department operations. Provides for the orientation of float, temporarily reassigned, or agency nurses to the routine of the unit and the designated shift.  Demonstrates critical thinking in the decision-making process. Accepts accountability for actions taken.  Utilizes the chain of command appropriately.  Facilitates patient movement through the system toward desired outcomes.  Remains prepared to deal with rapidly changing workload, i.e., able to transfer and admit patients quickly.  Maintains open communications in a timely and appropriate manner to all customers. Builds collegial relationships with physicians and other members of the health care team.

Encourages formal and informal continuing education. Promotes clinical ladder as a form of peer review and clinical advancement. Develops, guides, and coaches nursing staff daily to function within their job description.  Identifies and plans to meet learning needs of self and staff together with nurse manager and / or nurse educators.  Mentors staff in problem resolution.  Provides feedback to evaluate the performance of personnel. Functions as a clinical resource and professional role model for staff.  Provides input for progressive discipline on a fair and consistent basis.

Other Related Information :

The TriHealth Nursing Vision, Mission, and Philosophy speaks to professional development, collaboration, and our nursing culture. To achieve excellence in nursing care, TriHealth encourages : pursuit of improved knowledge through continuing education classes, formal education leading to advanced degrees, and the attainment of specialty certification; nurse membership in local, regional, and national nursing organizations related to the appropriate nurse specialty; involvement in activities that better the health of our community; nursing research activities and use of evidence-based practice, and all nurses to foster, support, and personally model collaborative relationships amongst nurses, physicians, and other caregivers for the betterment of patient care.

Working Conditions : Bending - Frequently

Climbing - Rarely

Concentrating - Consistently

Continuous Learning - Consistently

Hearing : Conversation - Consistently

Hearing : Other Sounds - Consistently

Interpersonal Communication - Consistently

Kneeling - Occasionally

Lifting

Lifting 50+ Lbs. - Consistently

Lifting

Pulling - Consistently

Pushing - Consistently

Reaching - Consistently

Sitting - Occasionally

Standing - Consistently

Stooping - Consistently

Talking - Consistently

Thinking / Reasoning - Consistently

Use of Hands - Consistently

Color Vision - Consistently

Visual Acuity : Far - Consistently

Visual Acuity : Near - Consistently

Walking - Consistently

TriHealth SERVE Standards and ALWAYS Behaviors

At TriHealth, we believe there is no responsibility more important than to SERVE our patients, our communities, and our fellow team members. To achieve our vision and mission, ALL TriHealth team members are expected to demonstrate and live the following :

Serve : ALWAYS…

• Welcome everyone by making eye contact, greeting with a smile, and saying "hello"
• Acknowledge when patients / guests are lost and escort them to their destination or find someone who can assist
• Refrain from using cell phones for personal reasons in public spaces or patient care areas

Excel : ALWAYS…

Respect : ALWAYS…

Value : ALWAYS…

Engage : ALWAYS…