Charge Nurse - RN - FT Nights

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Demonstrates positive role modeling and promotes an environment conducive to the Mission, Vision, and Values of the hospital and in accordance with the Service Excellence Standards of Behavior.
• Delivers and/or oversees nursing care according to the standards of care defined within the Illinois Nurse Practice Act.
• Oversee patient care delivery during assigned shift.
• Assign nursing staff based on patient acuity and staffing needs.
• Monitor patient conditions and support clinical decision-making.
• Promotes participation and acceptance of PI improvements.
• Collaborates with staff to identify realistic and attainable outcomes individualized to the patients’ present and potential capabilities and directs care which supports obtaining this goal.
• Ensures notification of physicians/surgeons of changes in patient’s condition in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Promotes departmental and other educational meeting attendance.
• Affords staff development by coaching and mentoring in a supportive, professional manner toward improvements in practice.
• Evaluates unit staff for clinical competency on an ongoing basis with current staff and educates and evaluates new employee performance.
• Affords assistance in correcting employee deficiencies by counseling and documenting interactions.
• Values diversity, teamwork, and dignified treatment of all staff.
• Supports peers and those in managerial roles by “managing up” in conversations with employees.
• Maintains confidentiality of all patients, hospital, or physician related information.
• Is knowledgeable of general hospital and department specific policies and procedures and assists with their review and updates.
• Responds to emergencies and assists with complex patient care situations.
• Affords assistance in orientation and training of new employees.
• Promotes teamwork and effective communication among team members.
• Affords assistance in departmental chart audits and staff education.
• Coordinates admissions, discharges, and transfers.
• Addresses patient and family concerns promptly and professionally.
• Ensures adequate equipment and supplies availability.
• Affords assistance in staff coverage during high census, high acuity, or short staffing situations.
• Works in a safe manner, including reporting / identifying unsafe equipment or environment, this includes following and enforcing Infections control policies.
• Will afford assistance in ensuring appropriate staffing levels.
• Provides ongoing direction to Nursing and/or Support/ Ancillary Staff members, Unit Clerks and Certified Nursing Assistants assisting in direct patient care to meet the workload needs of the unit through an initiative-taking team approach.
• Weekends and holidays required.

Professional Requirements

• Displays accountability for actions and decisions for the total patient care process.
• Completes assigned daily duties in timely, complete, and accurate manner.
• Maintains the ability to adapt to reassignment to assume patient care on unit or on other units if necessary.
• Utilizes critical thinking processes to resolve issues in accordance with hospital philosophy.
• Well organized, accepts assignments willingly and accomplishes them quickly in a prioritized manner.
• Anticipates problems, proactively develops a strategic plan, and suggests solutions as appropriate.
• Helps as needed with duties not specifically assigned and accountable to learn tasks, which are routine for unit operations or professional role.
• Affords strong communication, decision-making, and critical thinking skills.

Education and/or Experience

• Associate’s degree in nursing required.
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing preferred.
• One to three years of specialty experience required.
• Ability to pass specific competencies for this position.

Certificates and Licenses

• Current and active Illinois RN license.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) required or willing to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) required or willing to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Pediatric Life Support (PALS) required or willing to obtain within 30 days of hire.