Charge Nurse, Operating Room



SHIFT: Full Time Nights M-Thurs. 8p.m-6:30 a.m



 

Position Summary

• Registered Charge Nurse (CN) supervises Registered Nurses, Licensed Vocational Nurses and other non-licensed nursing personnel.


• As a full partner of the healthcare team, the CN collaborates with all other healthcare disciplines to achieve successful execution of the patient’s plan-of-care and goals of the department.


• The CN serves as a professional role-model and interfaces directly with patients, families, physicians and staff.


• The CN utilizes physical assessment skills and advanced diagnostic technology to aid in the assessment of the patient’s nursing care needs. Data collected is analyzed, synthesized and disseminated to other healthcare providers.


• The CN continues to monitor and assess the patient’s physical condition, emotional and social needs, continually refining the plan-of-care to ensure achievement of the desired goals of the patient and facility outcomes.


• Under the general supervision of the unit’s Director, Manager or Nursing Supervisor the CN assumes responsibility for direction and coordination of all functions in the unit on his/her designated shifts.

 Job Function

•  Ensures implementation of operational standards which promote the maintenance of patient rights including but not limited to: Informed consent.


• Clarification of patient expectations.


• Explanation of treatment processes.


• Maintenance of confidentiality of patient information.


• Maintenance of patient privacy by minimizing exposure during all procedures.


• Adaptation of care to all ages of patients served.


• Ethical considerations. Handling of patient complaints.


• Ensures all patients records reflect an admission assessment & care plan performed by a Registered Nurse.


• Demonstrates sound knowledge base in nursing practice and its clinical application to the patient population served in the unit, including the operation of equipment, and policy and procedures used in the delivery of patient care in the unit.


• Maintains communication with other members of the management team regarding potential/actual problems or concerns, and with Medical Staff issues.


• Assists with establishing and maintaining communication channels with Medical Staff and other departments in the hospital.


• Supervises personnel providing direct patient care, with delegation of activities based on patient care needs and competencies of available patient care staff.


• Provides direct and ongoing supervision of staff with regard to conflict resolution and personnel policy compliance, including input and/or completion of performance evaluations and disciplinary actions.


• Assumes responsibility for resolving and/or channeling employee grievances according to appropriate procedures.


• Teaches, supervises and serves as a resource for staff, assists with clinical procedures as needed.


• Assesses for and assists in implementation of staff development programs to enhance professional growth of personnel.


• Facilitates ongoing performance improvement activities which correlate to the Hospital-wide Performance Improvement Program with involvement at all levels of staff on designated shifts as appropriate.


• Collaborates and gives input on staff schedules for final approval from Director.


• Makes assignments for the present or following shift to provide for smooth transition and ensures appropriate assignments throughout shift to cover changing patient needs and staff availability due to absences, breaks, etc.


• Self-assigns patients and functions as necessary based on patient needs and available resources on unit.


• Communicates directly with the director/manager on unit on staff performance issues needing attention.


• Maintains effective utilization and maintenance of labor, equipment and supplies.


• Participates in cost containment programs as applicable to services provided.


• Actively participates in appropriate Department and Hospital committees and ensures that unit personnel are involved in this process as appropriate.


• Maintains own professional growth through appropriate organizations, workshops, seminars and other educational endeavors.


• Maintains awareness of current developments and trends in nursing practice.


• Rounds on patients during the shift.


• Follows up and ensures completion of patient treatment, tests and procedures. Ensures all medication discrepancies are resolved prior to leaving the shift.


• Monitors and maintains high standards regarding patient care and oversees compliance with core measures on applicable patients.


• Organizes, coordinates, and facilitates the delivery of patient care activities throughout the shift, assists with bed assignments, discharge planning, and census and support completion of physician’s orders.


• Communicates appropriately to other members of the health care team to promote continuity of care


• Collaborates with preceptors and new employees, and facilitates new employees in becoming part of the team.


• Displays initiative to see process through to completion and offers assistance without being asked.


• Ensures repair and maintenance problems are reported promptly. Ensures all quality checks are conducted within given period, to include but not limited to refrigerator/freezer temperatures, crash cart, blanket warmer checks and other unit specific quality checks are completed as assigned.


• Ensures that Departmental mission and objectives maintained for the unit with interpretation of these objectives to staff as necessary.


• Coordinates departmental activities with responsibility for the assessment of the quality and efficiency of these activities. Assesses multiplicity of patient care and department service needs to coordinate assignment of nursing staff to meet all required services on the unit on designated shift.


• Maintains productivity guidelines; flexing staff as directed 

Experience:

Required: Staff RN experience, team lead or charge nurse experience in an acute care facility. Will also consider team lead experience

Education:

 

Required: Bachelor’s degree in Nursing

License & Certifications

Required: Texas License