Charge Nurse - Behavioral Crisis Center

Job Description:

The Charge Nurse plays a crucial role in providing coordination of nursing care activities on an assigned shift.  The incumbent is responsible for overseeing the nursing staff, ensuring adherence to protocols and standards, and maintaining a high level of patient care and safety.

Essential Job Functions:

Leadership and Supervision:  

• Provide leadership and direction to nursing staff on assigned shift.

• Supervise and delegate tasks effectively, ensuring efficient workflow and patient care delivery.

• Conduct regular rounds to assess patient status, monitor treatments and address any concerns or issues.

Critical Expertise:

• Utilize clinical expertise to assess patient conditions, administer medications, and perform nursing interventions as needed.

• Collaborate with providers and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement patient care plans.

• Ensure compliance with nursing standards, policies, and procedures.

• Escalates any clinical intervention concerns immediately to superiors.

Patient Advocacy:

• Act as an advocate for patients and their families, addressing their needs and concerns promptly and compassionately.

• Ensure a safe environment for patients, promoting their well-being and recovery.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Communicate effectively with interdisciplinary team members, providing updates on patient status and care plans.

• Foster a collaborative and supportive work environment, promoting teamwork and mutual respect among team members.

Quality Improvement and Training:

• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, contributing ideas and implementing best practices to enhance patient care outcomes.

• Provide training and mentorship to nursing staff, ensuring competency and professional development.

Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong clinical skills and knowledge of nursing practices and procedures.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational abilities.

• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and make sound decisions under pressure.

• Commitment to delivering high-quality patient care and promoting a positive work environment.

Experience and Education Qualifications:

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in the state of operation.

• Proven experience as a Charge Nurse or in a similar leadership role.

Supervisory Requirements: 

• Communicate the strategic direction of the organization and encourage participation by all team members.

• Provide leadership and guidance to all aspects of the department.

• Take an active role in monitoring the identification, development, and execution of strategic objectives.

• Involve, as appropriate, all team members to achieve goals.

• Effectively communicate to team members any changes and newsworthy events within the department or company.

• Handle difficult team member situations directly, using appropriate discretion and Human Resource advice to show respect for the individual

• Champion change and effectively manage the implementation of new ideas.

• Reinforces team approach throughout functions; support and solicit input from team members at all levels within the company.

Employment Requirements:

• Successful completion of background check including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect and fingerprint check.

• Completion of New Hire Orientation at the beginning of employment.

• All training requirements including Relias at the beginning of employment and annually thereafter.

• Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record and current auto insurance.

• Valid unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in the state of operation.

Physical Requirements:

ADA Consideration - Sedentary work:  Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (exists up the 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (exists 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, or pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.  Repetitive movements of hands, fingers, and arms for typing and/or writing during work shift.

Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.  Jobs are se