Charge Nurse - Lakewood, United States - University of California

Description

Updated: Apr 12, 2024

Location: Lakewood

Job Type:

Department: Surgery-LAK

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Department: Nursing

Position: Staff RN - Operating Room

Supervised by: Charge RN/Clinical Manager

Job Summary:

The Registered Professional Nurse is responsible for the delivery of patient care, utilizing the nursing process for assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation while meeting competently all safe expectations of a nurse.

II. Technical and Job Specific Skill:

1. Telephone Skills: Must demonstrate hospital telephone etiquette by answering the phones promptly, courteously and by identifying department and self.

2. Policy/Procedures: Is aware of and follows all hospital and department policies and procedures.

3. Teamwork: Promotes positive co-worker relationships through teamwork and cooperation. Understands and supports the needs of individuals in other departments and promotes conflict resolution. Shares information, work knowledge and experience with co-workers, physicians, and students in a non-threatening manner. Offers assistance and promptly responds to requests.

4. Productivity: Maintains high productivity and performs efficiently regardless of whether the work volume is high or low. Appropriately prioritizes work activities. Responds to difficult situations with self-control and a positive attitude. Makes decisions independently and knows when to ask for assistance. Exercises good judgment and arrives at sound decisions.

5. Clinical Skills

a) Functions independently on usual unit. Seeks guidance when new/complex situations occur.

b) Demonstrates clinical competency and technical skills for general and specialty population.

c) Assignment:

1. Floats to other areas outside of expertise with orientation & adjusted assignment based on validated competency (DOU to CCU).

2. Cares for patients of varied acuity levels.

d) Applies theoretical knowledge in clinical practice for the assessment of patients. Applies assessment skills to patient care.

e) Consistently identifies obvious and subtle patient/ family problems.

f) Develops and implements age/culturally appropriate care plan with patient and family.

g) Contributes to written plan of care for actual and potential patient problems.

h) Develops & implements nursing interventions with patient and family.

i) Participates in interdisciplinary patient rounds.

j) Interprets and reports obvious and subtle data which indicate that the patient may be at immediate physiological risk.

k) Evaluate outcomes with the individual and family and revises plan of care. Evaluates patient's response to treatments, further intervenes, if necessary.

l) Identifies subtle educational needs for pt/family. Individualizes and implements established teaching plans using available instructional materials. Evaluates learning and seeks consultation to modify education plan.

m) Safely administers medications and IVs appropriately, according to hospital policy and procedures.

n) Meets care needs for patient and family, including age specific requirements, cultural and religious needs.

6. Leadership

a) Delegates and supervises assigned assistants based on job description and Scope of Practice. Provides constructive feedback to assistant regarding work performance.

b) Attends 50 % of Staff meetings. Participates in meetings. Supports unit goals.

c) Knows and recognizes importance of hospital PI process. Participates in data collection and problem identification.

d) Provides feedback to appropriate committees regarding practice issues, process improvement. Attends at least one additional meeting.

e) Able to discuss current care delivery system.

f) Implements hospital policies & procedures. Refers to P&P manuals or consults charge nurse or manager when unfamiliar situation occurs. Forwards concerns/issues regarding policies to appropriate leadership personnel.

7. Professional Growth

a) Enhances self-development in own area of practice. Identifies, develops and implements an action plan for self-development along with nurse manager or designee during evaluation process.

b) Participates in learning activities to obtain skills needed for assigned unit.

c) Demonstrates positive image of nursing while practicing on the unit.

d) Meets minimum scheduling requirements. Willing to adjust personal schedule to meet department/ hospital need.

e) Attends all mandatory courses as designated by the hospital.

f) Assists in the development of LVN and unlicensed personnel. Addresses issues

g) As identified and communicates to subordinates. If needed, obtains assistance from more experienced staff.

h) Recognizes the importance of practice trends in nursing and participates in data collection.

8. Patient Rights

a) Assesses patient/family understanding of their rights.

b) Acts to uphold patient rights.

c) Treats all patients, families and co-workers in a polite and respectful manner.

d) Encourages participation in decision making.

e) Recognizes barriers to communication and seeks expertise to resolve.

f) Implements caring and supportive care.

9. Performs any other duties or responsibilities that may be assigned.

Customer Service, Key Success Factors, and Performance/Process Improvement

A. Customer Service - Target 100 Standards of excellence

1. Attitude * Smile Always speak positively about the facility and others * Be polite at all times, rudeness is unacceptable * Show concern and interest * Apologize for problems and inconveniences

2. Keep it Simple

Be clear in your communications, both oral and written

Provide the appropriate information upon request

Document thoroughly and legibly in a timely manner

Avoid unnecessary delays

Follow-up on issues to ensure closure in a timely manner

3. Sense of Ownership

Take charge of, and accept the responsibility and accountability of your position

Commit to and live the values of our Hospital: Courtesy, Appreciation, Respect, Empowerment

Identify and focus on meeting our customer's needs

Think, say, and do: "It is my job"

Plan your work and work your plans

Get involved and stay informed

4. Awareness

Listen carefully to what others say

Be cognizant of your environment and address issues/concerns as they appear

Be prepared for emergent situations

Be aware that what you say and how you say it makes a difference to patients, physicians, and fellow employees

5. Commitment to our Colleagues * Work as a team player * Treat one another with courtesy and respect * Welcome new employees and help them to be successful members of our team * Be approachable * Recognize and support the expertise of others * Exceed others' expectations

6. Ambassadorship

Promptly welcome all customers in a friendly manner

Introduce yourself with a warm smile and make eye contact

Address others appropriately and call customers by their name, when possible

Be an ambassador and introduce your colleagues to customers in a prompt and pleasant manner

Smile Always represent the facility in a positive manner

7. Pride

Let your positive attitude exhibit your pride in being a member of the LRMC team

Take pride in all that you do to provide care for others

Enjoy your successes and the successes of others

Celebrate our WINS, proudly

8. Hospitality

Make people feel welcomed

Embrace diversity

Strive to eliminate language barriers by seeking out appropriate translators

Promote good communication and understanding to facilitate a comfortable and healing environment

Offer not wait to be asked

Treat each individual as if he/she is the most important person in our facility

Meet the customer's immediate needs, or find the proper person to do so

9. Privacy and Confidentiality

Respect our customers' and colleagues' privacy by not discussing it in public places

Communicate with our customers' families and significant others with discretion

Maintain patients' modesty and dignity by providing appropriate privacy

Knock on doors before entering a room and utilize gowns, robes, blankets and privacy curtains to maintain an

environment of privacy

Keep patients' records and information confidential

Respect others by not entertaining gossip

10. Appearance and Professionalism

Conduct yourself as a professional at all times

Keep your work area and surrounding environment clean and safe

Always dress in an appropriate manner

Follow the guidelines in the dress code

Wear your name badge to clearly display your name and picture

Practice good personal hygiene

11. Patient Support

Be considerate and aware of anxiety and discomfort that my be experienced by a patient's family and significant

others

Connect with the patient, not just their reason for being under our care

Consider the impact of your actions

The art of providing care may be encapsulated in the delivery of comfort to others: physical,

emotional and spiritual

Taking care of others is our honor and privilege

Taking care of others in the spirit of CARE is our distinguishing mark of excellence

Key Success Factors

1. Attendance - Employee reports to work each regularly scheduled work day. Accurately records all work time including meal periods.

2. Punctuality - Is ready for work at precise starting time and continues working until scheduled departure time. Returns on time from all meal periods.

3. General Work Habits - Readily accepts work assignments in a positive manner. Performs work that is accurate, neat and consistent. Documentation is legible.

4. Safety - Keeps work area neat and maintains equipment in accordance with health and safety codes. Reports safety issues and equipment failures appropriately.

5. Appearance - Projects a professional image, follows the hospital dress code policy and/or department requirements. Wears hospital ID badge at all times on duty.

6. Confidentiality - Sensitive information including, but not limited to, patient records, charts, hospital documents and employee information is kept confidential without exception.

7. Annual Requirements - Completes annual requirements (PPD, requirements, Annual Update, Ethics Training, Licensure and/or Professional Certification)

on time.

C. Performance/Process Improvement

Is knowledgeable of performance/process improvement (P.I.) methodology.

Can verbalize knowledge of hospital-wide performance/process improvement activity.

Offers suggestions for departmental and/or hospital-wide performance/ process improvement.

Knowledge of and participation in the performance/process improvement is a condition of employment.

IV. Training and Experience:

Mandatory:

a) Current RN License

b) Current BLS Provider

Preferred: Acute hospital experience

Specific unit requirements: See unit addendum - attached.

V. Physical Requirements:

1. Position involves standing and walking for long periods of time, approximately 75% of the workday. Sitting is approximately 25%.

2. Must be able to transfer and lift patients as necessary. Weight will vary from patient to patient.

3. Must have the dexterity, coordination, and visual and auditory acuity to perform all job responsibilities.

4. Must be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

5. Must be free from signs of illness and infections

Lakewood Regional Medical Center

Patient Care Unit Name: Operating Room

Unit Specific Job Description Addendum

I. Current unit certifications as indicated below:

ACLS

II. Training and/or experience:

Minimum of one (1) year experience as a Peri-operative Staff RN in an acute care hospital.

III. Unit Specific Technical Skills:

1. Demonstrates understanding and utilization of principles of asepsis, provides a surgically clean environment for patient care and ensures the sterility of supplies and instruments during operative procedures.

2. Assumes responsibility for intra-operative patient safety related to positioning and equipment/supply use.

3. Performs the peri-operative nursing role to include pre-operative assessment of the patient, nursing care plan formulation, operative care plan implementation and post-operative evaluation of the patient's response/outcome and of the effectiveness and appropriateness of the nursing care provided.

4. Assists anesthesiologists with the intubation/extubation of patients, the monitoring of fluid/volume balance, administration of blood and blood products, and the thermoregulation of the patient.

5. Monitors patient level of consciousness, EKG, and BP during local anesthetic procedures.

6. Assures the proper supplies, equipment and instrumentation are available for surgical procedures.

Employee Signature _________________ Date_____________

Employee Print Name _________________

Position Accountabilities: The charge nurse provides direct supervision to all personnel on the assigned unit and coordinates the delivery of nursing services during a shift. This position is an integral role in the leadership of the Department of Nursing and requires sound managerial skills and a high degree of independent judgment and critical thinking skills. In addition to meeting all elements of the Registered Nurse Job Description, the charge nurse consistently meets the following elements of leadership:

A. SERVICE

1. Serves as a role model in professional conduct, exhibits behaviors supportive of hospital goals in the following areas, including but not limited to:

Customer service with internal and external customers

Positive attitude

Creative problem solving

Cooperation across interdepartmental lines and with co-workers

Managing relationships

2. Conducts patient rounds daily, with Director, whenever possible. Looks for opportunities daily to exceed customer's expectations.

3. Participates in staff meetings at least monthly and assists in the swift communication of staff meeting agenda items to assigned staff members and seeks feedback from staff.

4. All interactions are conducted in a professional manner.

5. Consistently contributes to the team effort by assisting co-workers with patient care when need is observed, demonstrating problem solving skills by modeling these skills while working with staff members and immediately intervening when Standards of Conduct are not upheld.

6. Conducts or ensures that discharge phone calls are made and information is recorded and followed up on as appropriate.

B. QUALITY

1. Demonstrates knowledge of performance/ process improvement methodology.

2. Offers suggestions for department and/or hospital-wide performance improvement.

3. Participates in data collection and problem identification. Takes the opportunity to act as a team member or team leader for process improvement initiatives whenever possible.

4. Assists in the implementation of the chosen care delivery model.

5. Assists Director with coordinating and in-servicing staff on new products or procedures

6. Assists Director to conduct staff competency checks/ reviews annually.

7. Works collaboratively with Director and other leaders to revise and/or develop policies and procedures.

8. Supports organizational and unit goals, standards, quality control and performance improvement.

C. FINANCIAL

1. Assists in determining unit specific needs for equipment, supplies, staffing, security and safety in the environment.

2. Submits unit supply orders if assigned and procures equipment from appropriate resources

and demonstrates an awareness of budgetary goals and cost containment strategies.

3. Demonstrates an awareness of budgetary goals and cost containment strategies when assessing staffing needs of the department.

4. Accepts responsibility for determining the need for Sitters after utilizing alternative methods.

Completes a Sitter Approval for each shift a sitter is working.

D. PEOPLE

1. Makes appropriate patient care and unit assignments, delegates tasks according to staff

competencies and ensures follow through and completion.

2. Completes and/or delegates the completion of the following:

Crash cart checks

Department logs including the identification of patients appropriate for the Partnership for Change diagnosis's

Patient assignment sheets

Acuity measures

Narcotic counts

Meal break assignments and follow through

Specific resource nurse for registry, new staff, students

3. Determines unit priorities for the shift with regard to patient care, patient flow (bed control),

staffing and distribution of resources.

4. Ensures that staff members and temporary agency staff are taking breaks/lunches as dictated by regulatory agencies and clock out on time.

Accepts responsibility for arranging coverage

Accepts responsibility for authorizing overtime by signature when other alternatives fail

5. Develops collaborative relationship with Nursing Supervisors and cooperates fully with

resource allocation and patient admissions determined by the Supervisor to be in the best

interest of the entire organization for a specific shift.

6. Communicates assessed needs in a positive, constructive manner and role models effective

cooperation between departments and with other charge nurses.

7. Assists the Director with the development of the staffing schedule and helps ensure that the

unit schedule is accurately communicated daily to the staffing clerk so that resources can be

ordered and distributed in a timely manner and in order to ensure a sufficient number of

regular staff is available to all units.

8. Participates in the peer interviewing process.

9. Rounds daily with Director to assess and improve the quality of care.

10. Provides input to the Director regarding team members' clinical performance, plans for

coaching, development and precepting.

11. Oversees the activities of all students.

12. Demonstrates awareness and articulates to the staff, the current performance of the unit in

patient satisfaction, recruitment and retention, and performance improvement strategies.

E. GROWTH

1. Develops innovative solutions to unit problems.

2. Attends outside seminars to remain current in nursing and specialty.

3. In collaboration with the Director, creates a self-development plan annually and ensures attendance at programs within the Clinical Manager Educational Matrix.

4. Collaborates with the Director and Education Department to ensure that staff is competent and fulfill their assigned duties.

5. Acts as role model and mentor for staff in building relationships with physicians and house supervisors.