Job Title: Charge Nurse – RN/LPN

Location: Skilled Nursing

Department: Nursing

Reports to: Unit Manager/ADON

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Position Summary:

In keeping with our organization’s goal of improving the lives of the Residents we serve; the Charge Nurse plays a critical role in providing superior customer service and nursing services to all Residents on the assigned unit as well as in the facility as a whole. The Charge Nurse assists the Director of Nursing, Unit Managers, and/or the Assistant Director of Nursing in the planning, development, and overall operation of the assigned unit, which ensures Residents receive quality care 24 hours a day.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Assess Residents conditions to implement intervention and develop Care Plans. Accurately record Residents observations in electronic medical record and follow through on Care Plans. Assure facility medical records policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Make regular rounds of Residents independently and with a physician; observe and evaluate Residents’ symptoms, progress, and reactions to treatments and medications and implements interventions, as necessary.
• Provide care to Residents by performing a variety of treatments within the scope of the individual nurse, including changing dressing, cleansing and/or irrigating wounds and incisions, performing Foley Catheter irrigations, IV therapy, and administering tube feedings, chest tubes and peritoneal dialysis.
• Request and assure supplies and medical equipment are available to perform care and treatments as required by the Residents.
• Schedule appointments, physicians, therapy, and consults if necessary.
• Monitor and assist CNAs with personal Residents care duties such as bathing, feeding, and assisting with ambulation, and other routine accommodative services for Residents comfort and well-being.
• Supervise the CNA’s during the shift, ensuring that the shift runs smoothly and resident care is excellent.
• Receive report from outgoing Charge Nurse and make rounds to see each Residents daily and as needed.
• Administer medications to Residents within regulatory standards, Nursing Department Policies, and standards and procedures and as prescribed by the physician; notify appropriate clinical and/or nursing personnel of medication contraindications.
• Advise Residents and/or responsible persons regarding changes in medications, treatment plans, and Resident condition.
• Manage and document emergency care of Residents, coordinating communications to physicians, responsible persons, DON and Administrator, hospital personnel, emergency transport, and other appropriate personnel.
• Preform comprehensive and focused nursing assessments in conjunction with changes in condition and scheduled programs.
• Assist with new admissions, re-admissions and assist with the transfer of Residents to different rooms within the assigned unit. Requests and assures supplies and equipment are available to perform care and treatment as required by the patient prior to or at the time of admission. Assure completion of weekly, periodic and discharge summaries.
• Perform quality improvement activities as assigned by management.
• Monitor rate of accident/incidents occurrences and infection rate on the unit and develop suggestions for corrective action.
• Report Residents and staff complaint and all unusual occurrences to the Director of Nursing or Administrator and any allegation of Abuse/misappropriation or neglect to the Administrator immediately.
• Participate in periodic regulatory surveys by the State of Michigan and participates in the preparation of the Plan of Correction response to an inspection survey.
• Complete and report Resident injury appropriately and follow up per facility policies and procedures.
• Know and support facility philosophy, standards, policies, and procedures.
• Communicate with department heads on an as-needed basis to problem solve and plan for more effective patient care.
• Inform Director of Nursing or Unit Manager/ADON when staffing requirements are not met.
• Present a professional appearance and serve as unit role model.
• Maintain own professional requirements for continuing education and staff development by participating in work related seminars, etc.
• Communicates and interacts effectively and tactfully with Residents, visitors, families, peers and supervisors.
• Reports all hazardous conditions, damaged equipment and supply issues to the supervisor.
• Communicates and interacts effectively and tactfully with Residents, visitors, families, peers and supervisors.
• Attend staff meetings and in-services as requested. Attends in-service and education programs and attends continuing education required for maintenance of professional certification or licensure.
• Answers and respond to call lights promptly and courteously when working in resident care areas.
• Reports all resident concerns to the appropriate department head.
• Perform job duties while operating in compliance with federal and state laws/regulations, and facility policies and procedures.
• Regular and reliable attendance.
• Perform other tasks as required.
• Ability to work with residents who may have cognitive, behavioral, or physical impairments.
• Ability to work in potentially stressful or emergency situations.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• This position supervises and manages the CNA’s while they are on duty. Supervisory responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; labor management, scheduling, planning, assigning and directing work; receiving calls and finding replacements for absent staff; preparing performance evaluations; receiving and resolving employee complaints; monitoring and correcting job performance of employees; and disciplining employees up to and including discharge. This will be done in coordination with nursing management.
• All employees are expected to lead by example, demonstrate professionalism, support their supervisors and leadership team, and contribute positively to the success of the team and organization.

Required/Desired Qualifications:

Education, Training, and Experience:

• Must possess a current state license as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse.
• CPR certification required.
• One year of professional nursing experience in the long-term care setting is desired (not required).
• Knowledge of applicable state nursing regulations preferred.

Specific skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Other Special Requirements:

• Ability to work nights and weekends to accommodate the needs of the residents.
• Tolerate potential exposure to blood, body tissues, and fluids with occasional exposure to hazardous materials and infectious diseases.?
• Manual dexterity that is required to operate modern office equipment.
• Ability to travel as needed or assigned.