Charge Nurse Perioperative

Full-time, benefits-eligible position with 40 hours per week. Schedule includes Monday through Friday with call rotation.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates the 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.
• Monitors unit activities to ensure timely and appropriate completion of assignments.
• Collaborates with Patient Care Supervisor/Director to adjust schedules for safe and smooth unit functioning (e.g., calling in staff, reassigning tasks).
• Receives and records staff absence calls in the supervisor’s absence.
• Supervises and delegates patient care, maintaining awareness of patient condition changes and notifying physicians as needed.
• Notifies Director of Patient Care or Patient Care Supervisor of unusual occurrences or patient condition changes.
• Evaluates, monitors, and documents patient situations; intervenes to prevent or minimize crises.
• Conducts patient observations at least twice per shift and makes physician rounds as needed.
• Coordinates patient admissions, transfers, and discharges.
• Initiates disciplinary actions for problems, documenting and communicating actions to the Director of Patient Care.
• Assists with employee performance evaluations and conducts monthly shift meetings, submitting minutes to the Director.
• Directs staff during emergencies and reviews safety procedures biannually, documenting training.
• Participates in developing and revising Rehabilitation Nursing Standards and Nursing Policies.
• Attends at least 80% of Nurse Management and Performance Improvement Meetings.
• Performs patient care using the nursing process, including:
  • Assessment: Performs and documents patient assessments on admission and throughout stay, including patient/family goals and responses to rehabilitation.
  • Formulates nursing diagnoses based on data, overt/covert needs, and anticipated changes.
  • Utilizes lab, radiologic, and medical reports to predict health status changes.
  • Plan of Care: Develops, reviews, and revises individualized Rehabilitation Nursing Plans of Care aligned with interdisciplinary treatment plans.
  • Implementation: Ensures nursing actions align with care plans and Rehabilitation Nursing Standards to achieve patient goals.
  • Demonstrates ability to prioritize and manage complex health problems across all ages and diagnoses.
  • Evaluation: Documents goal achievement, revises interventions as patient needs change, and utilizes resources for problem resolution.
  • Documents patient/family understanding of post-discharge procedures.
• Ensures compliance with safety policies, including Universal Precautions and infection control.
• Instructs patients/families on safety rules (e.g., side rails, wheelchair brakes) and documents responses.
• Identifies and mitigates high-risk factors through observation and assessment.
• Utilizes proper body mechanics and seeks assistance for patient transfers.
• Instructs staff, patients, and families on infection control principles.
• Reports equipment repairs/replacements and environmental hazards (e.g., fire code violations).
• Attends annual mandatory in-services (e.g., fire safety, disaster preparedness, CPR) and maintains current certifications.
• Demonstrates competence in emergency response (e.g., codes) and documents incidents appropriately.
• Initiates variance reports and employee injury forms as needed.
• Participates in Performance Improvement activities, including audits of medication/crash carts and additional studies.
• Documents patient use of chargeable items.
• Provides education to patients, families, and staff, evaluating and documenting learning effectiveness.
• Serves as a professional role model and mentor to nursing staff.
• Practices within the scope of the Georgia or North Carolina Nurse Practice Act.

Requirements

• Current licensure as a professional registered nurse in Georgia or 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 and leadership skills or advanced education in leadership.
• Knowledge of rehabilitation nursing preferred.

Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills for interpersonal relations (patients, visitors, employees, medical staff).
• Ability to objectively assess situations and employees in job duties.
• Effective stress management and sound judgment in critical situations.

Physical Requirements

• Visual near and distance acuity.
• Verbal communication ability (in-person, phone, radio).
• Functional range of motion in spine and extremities with grip strength of 60–80 pounds.
• Ability to forward reach, overhead reach, bend, squat, kneel, and change positions rapidly.
• Lift 25–60 lbs. and carry 25–50 lbs.
• Tolerate high noise, busy atmospheres, and noxious odors.
• Work in noisy environments while remaining self-directed.
• Assess and respond to multiple situations simultaneously.
• Prioritize tasks and organize workspace efficiently.
• Pass cardiac recovery test if job class falls under POPE C.

Pay

Pay range: $32.70 – $49.05 per hour.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Total Rewards package, including:
  • Base compensation with annual performance-based increases.
  • Premium pay (e.g., shift differential, on-call pay).
  • Incentive pay for select positions.
  • Paid Time Off programs.
  • Health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, short- and long-term disability).
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care.
  • Family benefits (adoption assistance, paid parental leave).
  • Retirement plans with employer match and financial wellness programs.
  • Educational Assistance Program.
• Note: Eligibility for benefits may depend on employment status (e.g., full-time, part-time).