Charge Nurse (RN) PCU, FT Nights - Windy Hill Hospital

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives.

About the Role

The RN Clinical Charge Nurse is responsible for directing and overseeing the daily activities of the unit on an assigned shift to assure successful safe delivery of care. The Charge Nurse is a caregiver and often takes a modified patient care assignment. They practice in a clinical environment administered by Nurse Managers and other leaders, supported through the WellStar Shared Governance Model. The framework for practice is guided by the WellStar Professional Nursing Practice Model and evidence-based practice and research. RN competencies are derived from these models and supported by the WellStar Core Competencies.

The RN Clinical Charge Nurse is a proactive member of an interdisciplinary team ensuring that patients, families, and significant others receive individualized high-quality, safe patient care. The role involves accountability, responsibility, and authority for nursing practice, effective teamwork, delegation, communication, respect, personal development, and the growth of team members.

The role contributes to establishing and maintaining practices that ensure excellence in patient care, efficient use of resources, and leadership tasks such as staff schedules, unit patient flow, clinical expertise, physician rounding, committee involvement, and survey readiness.

The RN Clinical Charge Nurse serves as a resource for other areas, promoting learning about operational functionality and hospital/facility awareness. They assist in the growth and development of team members and build rapport between nurses and physicians to enhance patient service.

It is expected that all RN Clinical Charge Nurses are licensed, knowledgeable, and uphold the practice of nursing as outlined by the Georgia Professional Nurse Practice Act, implementing the Scope of Practice and Code of Ethics Standards from the American Nurses Association.

Responsibilities

• Resources and Support:
  • Monitors equipment inventory, location, and utilization to ensure staff have necessary tools.
  • Participates in planning and requesting resources for high-quality care and assists in acquiring appropriate staffing during shortages or census surges.
  • Proactively plans for patient care across the continuum while providing direct patient care.
  • Participates in developing protocols and procedures in collaboration with care managers and healthcare teams to achieve best practice outcomes.
• Tactical Responsibilities:
  • Makes patient assignments considering new grads, float staff, and patient type.
  • Conducts daily discharge/length of stay reviews.
  • Rounds with physicians/surgeons.
  • Assigns surgery beds in conjunction with the surgery schedule.
  • Consults with Supervisor Nursing Administration on bed flow and availability.
  • Manages emergency services assignments, waiting rooms, and operational hours.
• Exemplary Practice and Outcomes:
  • Rounds on every patient daily to evaluate quality and appropriateness of care, taking corrective action when needed using peer coaching.
  • Performs or oversees the Nursing Process (assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation) using evidence-based practice and critical thinking.
  • Provides or oversees relationship-based care delivery, focusing on patient-centered care through comprehensive communication processes and interdisciplinary evaluation.
  • Practices using current clinical standards with a focus on safety and quality.
  • Within the Emergency Department, conducts modified rounds in conjunction with nurses to focus on patient safety and care.
• Teamwork and Collaboration:
  • Communicates with nurse managers regarding care delivery or employee performance needs.
  • Coordinates safe, high-quality patient care, promoting interdisciplinary communication and regular planning/rounds.
  • Demonstrates teamwork and collaboration by practicing in a fiscally responsible manner, promoting recruitment and retention of healthcare team members.
  • Participates in and supports performance improvement, research, and shared governance.
• Professional Development:
  • Ensures patient/family/staff confidentiality and corporate compliance, completing all mandatory education and proficiencies.
  • Serves as a preceptor or mentor for professional nurses, staff, and students to build a qualified workforce.
• Evidence-Based Practice and Research:
  • Promotes evidence-based practice, nursing research, and performance improvement.
  • Participates in value analysis for patient care products and upholds all organizational policies and clinical competencies.
  • Participates in data collection and addresses clinical questions to advance evidence-based practice.
• Performs other duties as assigned and complies with all WellStar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Requirements

• Associate's degree in Nursing or Diploma in Nursing (required). Bachelor's degree in Nursing (preferred).
• Minimum 5 years of direct patient nursing care.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English; basic computer skills.
• Strong interpersonal, collaborative, and customer service skills.
• Ability to function in a fast-paced environment and respond to emergencies decisively and respectfully.
• Excellent time management, analytical, and critical thinking skills.

Qualifications

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) or equivalent certification (required within 180 days if not held at hire).
• BLS (Basic Life Support) or equivalent certification.
• RN license (Single State or Multi-state Compact).