Charge Nurse - Acute Care for Elderly

Full-time position, benefits eligible. 35.1 hours per week.

About the Role

The Charge Nurse on the Acute Care Elderly Unit (ACE) provides compassionate, evidence-based care for older adults in a 16-bed unit. As part of a NICHE-designated and Age-Friendly Health System, the team prioritizes dignity, independence, and holistic well-being, delivering personalized treatment plans that address medical needs while upholding the highest standards of geriatric care.

Responsibilities

• Unit Management
  • Facilitates organization and management of the unit to ensure safe, quality patient care.
  • Prepares shift assignments based on staff education, experience, job description, and patient acuity (per Patient Classification System).
  • Monitors unit activities to ensure timely, neat, and appropriate completion of assignments.
  • Collaborates with Patient Care Supervisor/Director to adjust schedules/assignments for safe and consistent unit functioning (e.g., calling in staff, reassigning staff).
  • Receives and records absence calls in the absence of staff.
  • Supervises and delegates patient care as needed.
  • Notifies appropriate physician of changes in patient condition and escalates unusual occurrences to Director of Patient Care.
  • Evaluates, monitors, and documents patient/situation; intervenes to prevent or minimize crises.
  • Observes all patients at least twice per shift; makes rounds with physicians or delegates to staff nurse.
  • Coordinates patient admissions, transfers, and discharges.
  • Initiates disciplinary actions for problems; documents and communicates actions to Director of Patient Care.
  • Assists with employee performance evaluations.
  • Conducts monthly shift meetings from a prepared agenda; submits minutes to Director of Patient Care.
  • Directs staff during emergencies/drills; reviews safety procedures biannually and documents.
  • Participates in developing/revising Rehabilitation Nursing Standards and Nursing Policies/Procedures.
  • Attends ≥80% of Nurse Management and Performance Improvement Meetings.
  • Voluntarily accepts additional responsibilities.
• Patient Care
  • Assessment
    • Performs/document patient assessments on admission and throughout stay, including patient/family goals and response to rehabilitation program.
    • Formulates nursing diagnoses based on data collection, overt/covert needs, and anticipated/predicted needs.
    • Utilizes lab, radiologic, medical, and departmental reports to anticipate/predict changes in health status.
  • Plan of Care
    • Develops/reviews/revises individualized Rehabilitation Nursing Plan of Care congruent with interdisciplinary treatment plan, including goals and discharge plans.
  • Implementation
    • Utilizes nursing care plans to prevent complications and maintain/restore physical/psychosocial function.
    • Ensures nursing actions align with interdisciplinary care plan and Rehabilitation Nursing Standards.
    • Demonstrates ability to prioritize and manage multiple complex health problems across all ages.
    • Trained/competent to treat patients of any diagnosis/age, demonstrating age-appropriate knowledge/skills.
  • Evaluation
    • Documents achievement of mutual goals identified by patient, family, and primary nurse.
    • Reviews/revises/prioritizes interventions as patient needs change.
    • Utilizes resources to resolve difficult problems; documents objective solutions.
    • Documents patient/family understanding of post-discharge procedures on Education Form and Discharge Summary.
• Safety
  • Complies with safety policies/procedures for self, patients, visitors, and staff; adheres to Universal Precautions/Body Substance Isolation.
  • Instructs patients/families on safety rules (e.g., side rails, wheelchair brakes) and documents responses.
  • Identifies high-risk factors through observation/assessment; intervenes to minimize risks.
  • Uses principles of body mechanics; seeks assistance for heavy/agitated patients; monitors staff use of Back Savers braces.
  • Instructs staff/patients/families on infection control/Body Substance Isolation.
  • Identifies/reports equipment repairs/replacements; initiates work requests.
  • Reports environmental non-compliance with fire codes.
  • Attends annual mandatory inservices (e.g., fire, safety, disaster, infection control); maintains CPR certification.
  • Demonstrates competence in emergency response; documents properly (e.g., code sheets, variance reports).
  • Initiates/completes variance reports and employee injury forms; documents incidents in patient charts.
• Performance Improvement
  • Participates in Performance Improvement; recognizes/reports deviations from standards.
  • Monitors/audits medication and crash carts; reports discrepancies to Director of Patient Care.
  • Initiates/completes ≥1 additional PI study per year.
  • Documents patient use of chargeable items.
• Education
  • Provides teaching to patients, families, and staff to support learning.
  • Prioritizes/documents knowledge deficits related to actual/potential health problems.
  • Evaluates/documents effectiveness of patient/family learning.
  • Serves as a professional role model and mentor to nursing staff.
  • Practices within the scope defined by the North Carolina Nurse Practice Act.

Requirements

• Current licensure as a professional registered nurse by the State of North Carolina.
• Current CPR certification.
• Certification in rehabilitation nursing (CRRN) preferred.
• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing (baccalaureate, associate degree, or diploma).
• Two to four years of progressive nursing experience in a healthcare environment.
• Demonstrated clinical competency as a professional nurse and leadership skills or advanced education in leadership.
• Knowledge of rehabilitation nursing preferred.

Skills

• Verbal communication skills for interpersonal relations (patients, visitors, employees, medical staff) and presenting information.
• Ability to objectively assess/analyze situations and employees in job duties.
• Ability to function effectively under stress and make sound judgments in critical situations.

Physical Requirements

• Visual near and distance acuity.
• Verbal communication in person and via phone/radio.
• Assist co-workers in transfers/transporting supplies, patients, or equipment using proper body mechanics.
• Functional range of motion in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines, upper/lower extremities; grip strength of 60–80 pounds.
• Forward reach, overhead reach, bend, squat, kneel, and rapid position changes.
• Lift 25–60 lbs. and carry 25–50 lbs.
• Tolerate high noise, busy atmospheres, and noxious odors.
• Remain calm under stress; assess/respond to multiple situations simultaneously.
• Assist co-workers in overlapping tasks; prioritize tasks and organize workspace efficiently.
• If job class falls under POPE C, must pass the cardiac recovery test.

Schedule

• Day shift with rotating weekends and holidays.

Pay

$41.10 – $61.65 per hour.

Benefits

• Compensation
  • Base pay within listed range based on qualifications, skills, experience, and training.
  • Premium pay (e.g., shift differential, on-call pay).
  • Incentive pay for select positions.
  • Annual increases based on performance.
• Paid Time Off
• Health and Welfare Benefits
  • Medical, dental, vision, life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
• Family Benefits
  • Adoption assistance and paid parental leave.
• Retirement
  • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
• Education and Development
  • Educational Assistance Program.

Note: Eligibility for programs may depend on FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary).