RN Charge Nurse - Med Surg Night Shift

Sign on Bonus available to eligible candidates!

Job Summary: The Charge Nurse will possess and have the capabilities to perform all the major duties and critical tasks of a Registered Nurse. Through the nursing process the Charge Nurse provides leadership to unit personnel and serves as a professional role model to ensure appropriate patient care, patient teaching and discharge planning is performed. Directs and guides activities of ancillary personnel while maintaining standards of the Texas Nurse Practice Act. Charge Nurse assumes responsibility for the human and fiscal resources available in order to provide quality, cost-effective patient care. Serves as a resource for nursing staff, can manage commonly seen contingency situations that arise within the clinical unit.

Major Responsibilities / Duties / Critical Tasks:

• Ensure Joint Commission standards are met.
• Communicates with medical staff, nursing personnel and all other disciplines concerning the care and well- being of patients.
• Routinely communicates with and reports to the Nurse Manager.
• Routinely communicates with the House Supervisor during the assigned shift.
• Provides direction and supervision to both professional and ancillary staff assigned to the unit in providing quality care.
• Makes staffing recommendations based on fluctuating productivity (census, activity, and patient acuity.)
• Ability to delegate tasks appropriate to skills/knowledge of caregiver and to take corrective action when performance is inappropriate.
• Ability to complete performance appraisals and counsel nursing staff.
• Receives and provides service through admission, discharge and transfer of patients.
• Makes patient/room assignments.
• Actively participates in staff development.
• Supports and facilitates the UTHSCT team concept between individuals, unit staff, and departments.
• Oversees departmental maintenance, supply status & functionality.
• Ensures unit is stocked and well maintained.
• Contacts appropriate personnel when problems arise.
• Knowledgeable and experienced in use of supplies and equipment.
• Ensures unit is a clean and safe environment for patients, family & staff (includes work areas, patient rooms break room and lobby area.)
• Ensures hallways are free of clutter.
• Completion of Annual Mandatory Training, TB testing, and required licensure and certifications before expiration date.
• Participates in unit based quality improvement program.
• Adheres to internal controls established for department.
• Required to maintain competency in the patient safety functions related to their position.
• Provides basic patient/family instruction and healthcare teaching.
• Promotes positive guest and patient relations.
• Respects and supports patient rights.
• Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality of information and records at all times.
• Prioritizes and organizes work so that required assignments are completed within a specified time frame.
• Practices basic cost containment for patients and the unit.
• They are accountable for the identification and reduction of unsafe practices that could cause harm to patients.
• Attends/participates in unit meetings/activities and supports the philosophy and goals of the unit department and organization.
• Responsible for advising, training, managing and maintaining practices, procedures and processes that meet and exceed regulatory compliance standards in their area of supervision.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Accompanying Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Bilingual a plus.
• EMR experience
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including: telephones, facsimiles, copiers, personal computers and printers. 
• Ability to operate medical equipment such as I.V. pumps, portable oxygen, defibrillators, telemetry monitors, wound vacs, hospital beds, and other equipment required for patient care.

• Graduate of accredited RN School of Nursing
• BSN preferred
• 5 year RN experience
• 2 year Charge Nurse experience preferred.
• 1 year RN experience in Med Surge preferred.
• Must possess and maintain a current RN license to practice in Texas.
• Must possess and maintain current CPR Healthcare Provider.     
• Must possess and maintain current ACLS
• Specialty certification preferred at hire and required within 12 months of eligibility
• PALS is a plus