RN Charge Nurse

Location: Denton, TX

About the Role

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state.

If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you! The RN - Charge Nurse performs advanced (senior-level) nursing work within the scope of practice attributed to the skills of a registered nurse, under the supervision of the Nurse Manager or other designated staff. This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends, as well as for work performed on maximum security locations.

Responsibilities

• Performs comprehensive physical health assessments that include vital signs, listening for lung and bowel sounds, determining blood sugar level, oxygen saturation, and more based upon clinical judgment related to acute illness and/or injury to determine appropriate nursing interventions for optimal positive outcomes in individual’s health and well-being.
• Completes the physical assessment form and places it in the individual’s medical record. Communicates health status and needs to other disciplines, including primary care physician, nursing staff, and families as needed.
• Responds to medical emergencies requiring immediate assessment and treatment by medical staff. Controls the emergency scene in the absence of the primary care provider and makes decisions regarding transport to the emergency room by EMS.
• Completes all required paperwork and places it in the individual’s medical record. Maintains emergency equipment and supplies in designated areas and ensures daily checks by nursing staff.
• Participates in emergency drills with direct contact staff to ensure all staff members are adequately trained and can demonstrate correct procedures in emergency situations.
• Provides oversight of subordinate nursing staff; delegates work assignments; reviews nursing activities in the assigned area. Sets goals and long-range plans for the assigned area and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Assists Nurse Manager with supervision of subordinate nursing staff by participating in interviews, providing performance data, and making recommendations on evaluations and disciplinary actions.
• Actively participates in interdisciplinary team meetings to manage and coordinate health care to achieve optimal health for individuals.
• Monitors and oversees others to ensure safe professional nursing practices are maintained. Provides teaching and training to staff and individuals on topics including medication administration, immunizations, and treatment observation.
• Reviews physician’s orders and Medication Administration Records to ensure medications/treatments are administered as ordered. Notifies the Nurse Manager of any exceptions and makes recommendations for corrective action.
• Serves as a preceptor to new subordinate nursing staff and nursing students, assisting with on-the-job training and providing feedback.
• Maintains compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations, including ICF/IID rules and SSLC facility policies.
• Participates in competency-based training, continuing education activities, and meetings to maintain nursing best practices and licensure requirements.
• Provides treatment to HHS employees injured in the course and scope of employment.
• Attends meetings as assigned and makes rounds of assigned area(s) on a regular basis.
• May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.

Requirements

• Licensed to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Texas or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.
• Must maintain current CPR certification.
• Must have strength and flexibility to safely perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• At least one (1) year of experience as a practicing registered nurse is required.
• At least two (2) years of experience as a practicing registered nurse in a health agency, hospital, or health-care facility preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing is preferred.
• Nursing leadership experience is preferred.
• Previous experience working with individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) is preferred.

Skills

• Considerable knowledge of nursing techniques, standards, and procedures; health care laws and regulations; medical diagnoses and procedures; community health and nursing care principles, practices, and procedures.
• Skill in the care and treatment of individuals, including those with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and ICF-IID rules, regulations, policy, and procedures related to State Supported Living Centers.
• Skills in the use of computer/software and an electronic health record system.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and concisely.
• Ability to provide patient care; prepare and maintain records; organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities; interpret policies and procedures; and plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others.
• Ability to interpret health care regulations and communicate them effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to appropriately interact with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, their family members, and staff.
• Ability to work independently and productively with all levels of staff, including training and decision-making.
• Knowledge of emergency procedures and equipment, and ability to assess and care for residents and/or staff in emergency situations.
• Skill in completion of schedules for nurse staffing and ratios, including scheduling for required training/education.
• Knowledge of nursing care standards, the Settlement Agreement, and Healthcare Guidelines.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• A defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time off benefits.
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement.

Pay

Salary Range: $7,532.75 - $8,886.16 per month.

Schedule

• Shift: Day (First); Evenings (Second); Nights (Third).
• Full-time, regular position.
• Not eligible for telework.
• Travel: Up to 5%.
• May require working extended shifts, rotating schedules, or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy.
• May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required.