RN Charge Nurse

Essential Duties

• Aid the Director of Nursing Services in directing the day-to-day functions of the nursing activities.
• Develop and maintain written policies and procedures for the nursing service department.
• Maintain current reference material at nurses' stations.
• Recommend written material to assist the nursing service department.
• Maintain the Nursing Service Procedures Manual.
• Maintain compliance with nursing service personnel.
• Make written and oral reports to the Director as necessary.
• Review and update department policies, procedures, manuals, and job descriptions.
• Coordinate nursing services with other resident services.
• Maintain compliance with nursing service personnel job descriptions.
• Participate in facility surveys.
• Review and update resident discharge plans.
• Plan the nursing services portion of the resident's discharge plan.
• Meet with nursing staff and support personnel to plan services, programs, and activities.
• Admit, transfer, and discharge residents as required.
• Complete accident/incident reports as necessary.
• Interpret department policies and procedures to personnel, residents, visitors, and government agencies.
• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc.
• Ensure a sufficient number of licensed practical and/or registered nurses and certified nursing assistants are available.
• Ensure nursing assistants are enrolled in or have graduated from approved training programs.
• Monitor nursing service personnel to ensure they are performing work assignments according to acceptable nursing standards.
• Report problem areas to the Director.
• Ensure policies and procedures, including dress codes, are followed by all departmental personnel.
• Review and evaluate department work force and make recommendations to the Director.
• Participate in employee performance evaluations and make recommendations to the Director concerning dismissals, transfers, etc.
• Ensure fair and unbiased disciplinary action is administered.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals.
• Ensure computer workstations are properly logged off or have an activated automatic screen-saver.

Committee Functions

• Attend various committee meetings of the facility.
• Prepare written and/or oral reports of nursing service programs and activities.
• Provide information to the Quality Assurance and Assessment Committee.
• Develop the agenda for Care Plan Committee meetings.
• Review and update discharge plans and make them available to the Care Plan Committee.
• Implement recommendations from established committees.

Nursing Care Functions

• Inform nursing service personnel of new admissions and their room assignments.
• Greet newly admitted residents and escort them to their rooms.
• Consult with residents, families, and physicians in planning care.
• Notify the Director when physician visits are not made in a timely manner.
• Visit residents daily to observe and evaluate their physical and emotional status.
• Ensure direct nursing care is provided by licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants, and/or nurse aides.
• Review nurses' notes to ensure they are informative and accurate.
• Provide direct nursing care as necessary.
• Administer medications and treatments as ordered.
• Inspect treatment areas daily for cleanliness and safety.
• Check on residents who cannot call for help.
• Assist in arranging transportation for discharged residents.
• Inform family members of resident deaths and call funeral homes as needed.

Staff Development

• Develop and conduct in-service training classes.
• Develop annual facility in-service training programs.
• Plan and supervise clinical supervision for nurse aide trainees.
• Attend and participate in continuing education programs.

Safety and Sanitation

• Develop safety standards for the nursing service department.
• Evaluate and classify routine and job-related functions to identify potential exposure to blood/body fluids.
• Train personnel on appropriate in-service programs before performing tasks involving exposure to blood or body fluids.
• Ensure personal protective equipment is available and used correctly.
• Monitor personnel to ensure they are following safety regulations.
• Ensure compliance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Ensure nursing service work areas are maintained in a clean and safe manner.