Charge Nurse

Description of Position
This job description is a record of the essential functions of the listed job. The job description provides the
employee, Administration, Human Resources, applicants, and other agencies with a clear understanding of
the job, where it fits into the organization, and the skill and work requirements in relation to other jobs. Jobs
are always changing to some degree and the existence of the approved job description is not intended to
limit normal change and growth. The facility will make reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified
individuals who are capable of performing the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable
accommodation.
POPULATION SERVED
The position involves direct and indirect patient care for a population of patients between the
ages of 0 and older. Age specific experience and/or special training and/or expertise may be
required to serve this population.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Charge Nurse is responsible for the smooth and efficient paitent flow within the hospital by
providing oversight for the Nursing department and addresses patient care, staffing, and any
other issues that may arise. The Charge Nurse supervises nurses and staff and takes
administrative responsibilities and ensures adequate staffing for the oncoming shift. Handles
occurrences during the shift, ensuring appropriate documentation and communication.
Additionally, Charge Nurse determines the issues to be referred to the Administrator on call
when applicable. Works in collaboration with Nursing Leadership and Administration on
educational training. Collaborates with patients, family members and medical providers
(Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants) to ensure needs are met and
problems are resolved. The Charge Nurse manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day
performance of their jobs. Has authority for personnel actions up to Final Written Warning and
Suspension with written approval from Nursing Administration and HR Department.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
 Education: Graduate of an accredited nursing program and/or bachelor’s degree
in nursing preferred.
 Licensure: Active RN Licensure and registration by CA BRN.
 Experience: At least three (3) years of clinical experience in acute care
experience and management background preferred.
 Certifications: Current BLS, ACLS and PALS certification.
 TNCC, CEN preferred, but not required.
 Physical/emotional stamina, communication/writing skills.
 Bedside manner
 Leadership and Mentorship acting as a resource for staff nurses
 Infection Control
 Medication Administration
 Team building skills with effective interpersonal communication
 Organizational and multitasking skills
 Listening and verbal communication skills
 Health promotion and maintenance
 Pain management understanding
 Patient centered care, Patient Safety
 Computer knowledge and ability to navigate computer systems.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:
 Assists in daily schedule maintenance according to the unit
 Promotes and restores patients’ health by overseeing the management and
planning of patient care for the duration of their shift.
 Directs, mentors, and assigns staff, including communicating job expectations
and providing input to nursing supervisors on staff performance reviews.
 Collaborates with providers and multidisciplinary professional staff to
implement patient care.
 Provides physical and psychological support for patients, friends, and families.
 Meets nursing operational standards by contributing information to strategic
plans and reviews; implementing production, productivity, quality, and
customer-service standards; resolving problems; and identifying system
improvements.
 Identifies patient service requirements by establishing a personal rapport with
potential and actual patients and other persons in a position to understand
service requirements.
 Maintains nursing guidelines by making sure that their direct reports adhere to
hospital policies and procedures.
 Assures quality of care by implementing and contributing to the hospital and
nursing division’s philosophies and standards of care, enforcing adherence to
the state board of nursing and state nurse practice act requirements and other
governing agency regulations, measuring health outcomes against standards,
and making or recommending adjustments.
 Completes patient care requirements by assigning nursing and staff and
following up on test results.
 Establishes a compassionate environment by providing emotional,
psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, and families.
 Promotes patients’ independence by establishing patient care goals, and
teaching and counseling patients, friends, and family to reinforce their
understanding of the disease, medications, and self-care skills.
 Provides information to patients and the healthcare team by answering
questions and requests.
 Resolve patients’ needs by utilizing multidisciplinary team strategies.
 Maintains a safe and clean working environment by implementing procedures,
rules, and regulations, and by calling for assistance from other healthcare
professionals.
 Protects patients and employees by developing and interpreting infectioncontrol policies and protocols and by enforcing medication administration,
storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations.
 Maintains documentation of patient care services, ensures patient confidence,
and protects operations by monitoring confidential information processing.
 Ensures that all medical and administrative equipment works properly by
verifying emergency equipment availability, completing preventive maintenance
requirements, following manufacturer’s instructions, troubleshooting
malfunctions, requesting repairs, maintaining equipment inventories, and
evaluating new equipment and techniques.
 Maintains the nursing supplies inventory by studying usage reports, identifying
trends and anticipating needed supplies.
 Develops professional and technical knowledge by attending educational
workshops, reviewing professional publications, and participating in
professional societies.
 Builds a cooperative relationship among healthcare teams by communicating
information, responding to requests, and participating in team problem-solving
activities.
 Provides routine education and training to nursing staff to ensure clinical
competencies are up to date
 Other duties as assigned within the RN scope of practice
 Provide direct patient care as lunch break relief and/or in the event of call-in or
early shift departure by an assigned RN/LVN.
PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
 Ability to use good judgment and to maintain confidentiality of information.
 Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
 Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient populations.
 Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
 Attend annual in-services and mandatory educational programs.
 Adheres to all Hospital policy including dress code and attendance
 Shows a willingness to change routine or procedures with a minimum of
disruption to productivity and with a cooperative approach.
 Accepts assignments and takes initiative to make appropriate decisions to get
the work done in the time allotted.
 Produces work that meets department, hospital, and regulatory agencies
standards for accuracy, neatness, and timeliness.
 Establishes and maintains effective and professional relationships and
communications with all other hospital staff as needed to meet job expectations.
 Welcomes the opportunity to interact with co-workers, department directors,
families, patients, and visitors.
 Demonstrates technical skills required to fulfill job duties. Is able to pass annual
core competency evaluations with minimal re-training needs identified.
 Audits to be completed as required by the Nursing Administration