Emergency Department Charge RN

About the role

Charge Nurse, under the direct and indirect supervision of the Nursing Unit Coordinator, Assistant Coordinator and/or Hospital Supervisor facilitates and assists with all levels of nursing care being provided to a group of patients within one nursing unit during the period of one working shift. In addition to these responsibilities, the Charge Nurse frequently assumes all or partial staff nurse responsibilities. The Charge Nurses are directly accountable to the Nursing Coordinator for the unit. The Charge Nurses assist the staff nurses with day to day problem solving, communication between shifts, and may serve as a link between staff nurse and the Nursing Coordinator. COMPANY: KAISER LOCATION: Hillsboro, Oregon

Responsibilities

• Assist in the supervising of nursing personnel: participate in interviewing applicants, make recommendations to the Coordinator, support organizational goals, provide input into staff evaluations, monitor staff performance and document problems, contribute to staffing pattern development, monitor day‑to‑day staffing and utilization, coordinate staff meetings under the Coordinator’s direction.
• Contribute to overall functioning of the Unit: monitor resources, identify and communicate systems problems that interfere with client care, convey risk situations to the Coordinator, participate in trend analysis for the operational budget, assist with materials management to ensure supply availability, provide direction during emergency situations as delegated.
• Actively participate in providing and/or facilitating client care: help develop and implement standards of care, policies, procedures, and protocols; coordinate and participate in delivery of patient care on the unit; use the nursing process (assess needs/priorities, assist in implementation, evaluate effectiveness); participate in quality assurance activities; contribute to departmental goals and objectives; join multidisciplinary patient care conferences and discharge planning; identify and assist in problem‑solving intrashift and intershift; keep Coordinators and Hospital Supervisors informed of problems and resolutions; function within expected behavior standards of a Staff Nurse.
• Function as an educator for other health‑care professionals and clients: assist in developing and presenting in‑service programs, participate in clinical orientation to the nursing unit, plan and provide education/teaching to patients and families, serve as a resource to other departments in the specialty area.
• Participate in professional activities for self and others: support departmental and organizational philosophy, goals, objectives, policies and procedures; attend meetings, special projects, and committees as designated; support or participate in approved research programs; promote interdepartmental and intradepartmental communication; foster good public relations; assume responsibility for continuing education and development.
• Staff Nurse expectations (applicable to the Charge Nurse role): follow organizational policies on time‑keeping, absenteeism, and tardiness; monitor and correct recurring absences; return promptly from breaks and schedule them for appropriate coverage; maintain confidentiality of client and organizational records; release information per established policy; demonstrate a positive attitude; avoid personal conversations when members are waiting; refrain from discussing staff, organization, or medical care in public areas; restrict personal business to non‑client areas during breaks; wear a name tag and introduce self by name, title, and/or department; address members with courtesy and respect; assist members or connect them with appropriate personnel; apply the same courtesy standards on the telephone as in person.

Requirements

• Experience: Three (3) years of Registered Nurse experience, with at least one year in a clinical specialty.
• Education: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing; high school diploma or GED.
• License, Certification, Registration:
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) within 6 months of hire OR Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) within 6 months of hire.
  • Registered Nurse License (Oregon).
  • NIH Stroke Scale Certificate within 1 month of hire.
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
  • Basic Life Support (BLS).
• External hires must pass a background check and drug screen.

Qualifications

• Preferred: Baccalaureate degree in nursing.
• Preferred: CEN, TNCC certification.
• Preferred: Demonstrated ability to recognize and interpret cardiac dysrhythmias.
• Preferred: Desire and ability to function within the nursing process.
• Preferred: Desire and ability to function within professional and personnel standards.
• Preferred: Ability to use and apply effective communication and interpersonal relationship skills.
• Preferred: Excellent critical thinking skills.
• Preferred: Able to assume authority of the unit.