RN-MED/SURG CHARGE NURSE

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION:                                MEDICAL/SURGICAL CHARGE RN - DAY AND NIGHT SHIFT 

                                                  12 HOUR SHIFTS

IMMEDIATE SUPERIORS:         Chief Nursing Office

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:   Indirectly Supervised by the House Supervisor and Nurse Manager

IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES: RN, LPN, PCT, Unit Clerk

POSITION AUTHORITY:            Proceed at own discretion in accordance with organizational purposes, objectives, goals, and policies as established by the Tombigbee Healthcare Authority operating Whitfield Regional Hospital Board of Directors.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing with a current unencumbered Nursing License in Alabama as a Registered Nurse. License maintained with timely completion of CEU’s and licensure acquisitions. A Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing is preferred.

1. In collaboration with the Nurse Manager and under the direction of the CNO, is responsible for planning,

organizing, directing, and controlling the activities of the nursing unit for their specified shift striving to achieve optimum delivery of patient care.

1. Must be able to assess, distinguish, report and act upon the social development and environmental needs

of assigned patients admitted to the Medical Surgical Unit of the Tombigbee Healthcare Authority operating

Whitfield Regional Hospital.  Must possess the knowledge to provide age specific healthcare to pediatric,

adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.  Collaborates, cooperates, and coordinates with other members of

the healthcare team to provide care in compliance with established standards.

1. Must have the ability to plan, organize, implement, direct, coordinate and communicate on a general clinical

and management level in terms of specific and general responsibilities.

1. Must possess the ability to lead and manage while maintaining a high standard of performance, which will

serve as a standard and example for personnel within the department.

1. Must be able to deal with emergency, problematic and stressful situations on an objective and strategic

basis without alarmed behavior.

1. Maintains a high degree of professionalism and always presents a positive outlook.

1. Current competency is ensured by fulfilling the objective and measurable performance requirements of the

criteria based job descriptions of the Med-Surg Managerial Staff and Med-Surg Registered Nurse, and

participates in pertinent continuing education according to hospital requirements and personal identified

needs.

1. Possesses the ability to analyze and study current clinical trends and ascertain appropriate equipment,

educational and staff needs within parameters of defined budgetary guidelines.

1. Is responsible for coordinating with the Assistant CNO in the assessment, identification, and anticipation of

 the educational needs of staff personnel, providing in-services and making recommendations for       educational programs within budgeted parameters, and provides staff meetings/in-services on a regular   scheduled, pre-determined basis with documentation of the content of each meeting.

1.  Evaluates and makes recommendations for budgeting guidelines of expenditures, consistently assuring

          compliance with budgeting guidelines, providing accurate productivity/financial status reporting in a timely

          manner, as outlined by the Division Director of Patient Care Services.

1. Provides pertinent, concise documentation of the condition of each patient and response to treatment.

1. Contributes to the mission of the organization in providing convenient, cost-effective, quality care to the

        patients of our community.  Also, contributes to the financial goals of the organization, i.e., cost control

        within the assigned area through staff productivity and utilization of supplies and equipment.

1. Must possess the ability to collaborate with the Assistant CNO to plan, implement and maintain an

       effective monitoring and evaluations system to assure quality of patient care via:

• Monitoring and evaluation activities, which are ongoing


• Delineation of scope of care


• Identification of important aspects of care


• Identification of indicators related to aspects of care


• Establishment of thresholds for evaluation related to indicators


• Collection and organization of data


• Evaluation of care when the thresholds are reached


• Identification of action to address identified concerns


• Implementation of action


• Assessment of effectiveness of actions and documentation of activities through to resolution of identified problems.


• Communication of relevant information to Physician Advisor and the Assistant CNO for review in the hospital-wide Process Improvement Committee.


• Fall Precautions


• Medication Errors


• Patient Satisfaction


• Planning, organizing, directing, controlling and assisting the duties of the Unit.


• Assist in fall prevention program.


• Assist in orientation of new nurses to the nursing unit.


• Help ensure new policies and protocols are effectively communicated and reinforced to staff.


• Make assignments for shift.


• Report directly to House supervisor.


• Assist nurses in scanning medication.


• Coordinate with the Department Director for educational programs for nursing staff.


• Function as a House Supervisor as needed.


• Update white board.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Current Alabama licensure as a Registered Nurse.

EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of one year of Medical Surgical Nursing experience is required. Managerial experience preferred but not required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The ability to negotiate within hospital structures and limited space in order to perform essential functions and tasks applicable to job specifications and duties.

• Must be able to lift and carry a minimum weight of 50 pounds.

• Must possess normal hearing and vision or hearing and vision is correctable to normal.


• Must possess physical and emotional stamina to work rapidly and efficiently and to tolerate stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, sitting, pushing, pulling, lifting, repetitive motions, as well as prolonged periods of walking and standing.


• Must possess fine motor skills and is able to handle and manipulate supplies and equipment.


• Must possess the ability and knowledge to safely handle occasional exposure to conditions involving cold, heat, or poor ventilation.


• Must possess the ability and knowledge to safely handle occasional exposure to conditions involving blood, skin or lung irritants, and sharp instruments such as needles, scalpels, etc.

PSYCHOSOCIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The ability to communicate effectively with all hospital personnel, patients, families, and significant others, and to always maintain a professional attitude.

• Must be assertive in communications, but not aggressive.


• Must be friendly and cooperative to all staff, patients, family, and visitors.


• Must conduct self in a professional manner with a positive attitude.