Charge Nurse II Acute Care Med Surg Main 3 NW Night Shift

Charge Nurse

At Houston Methodist, the Charge Nurse position is a licensed professional Registered Nurse (RN) who, as an experienced clinician, functions at the Competent to Proficient stage of Benner's model of clinical practice. This position creates an environment for the management and delivery of safe patient care. In addition to fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of a clinical nurse, the Charge Nurse position is a role model and coach to department personnel and assists in developing their skills and knowledge. This position provides nursing care to a diverse patient population. Besides conducting nursing assessments, assisting with exams and treatment and maintenance of medical records, this position assists in coaching and mentoring department staff in areas of clinical and professional practice. Role modeling compassionate communication with physicians and the interprofessional health care team, the Charge Nurse assumes leadership responsibilities with high-level contributions at the bedside, unit, service line, and across the institution. Responsibilities for this position may include but are not limited to leading unit and shared governance activities, assessing unit needs related to practice and improvement opportunities, serving as a clinical resource for both unit and hospital staff and coordinating unit and hospital-wide education in partnership with management.

The Charge Nurse assumes leadership responsibilities with high-level contributions at the bedside, unit, service line, and across the institution. Responsibilities for this position may include but are not limited to leading unit and shared governance activities, assessing unit needs related to practice and improvement opportunities, serving as a clinical resource for both unit and hospital staff and coordinating unit and hospital-wide education in partnership with management.

Responsibilities

The Charge Nurse position fosters staff engagement by demonstrating active listening, requesting and acknowledging feedback, making equitable decisions, providing rationale when appropriate, and supporting organizational goals. Anticipates the needs of the staff members and proactively offers assistance. Role models inter-professional communication, which includes active listening and teaching, and assists with staff stress management as needed. Improves departmental scores for turnover/retention on unit-based scorecard.

The Charge Nurse role models fair and consistent leadership skills for effective team dynamics and team building strategies through problem solving, coaching, and developing staff. Coaches staff to use efficient and effective communication to establish and maintain a team environment, and to include the patient and family as a part of the team regarding their plan of care. Provides input into staff performance reviews, as appropriate.

The Charge Nurse functions as a mentor and resource to unit staff, provides oversight for students/new employee/preceptorships. Identifies levels of organizational conflict and applies tools to effectively resolve concerns, complaints or conflict with patients, families, physicians and other inter-professional healthcare team members.

The Charge Nurse leads the patient and family-centered care standards, as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document. Mentors others regarding specialty populations; audits plan of care. Practices in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity and inclusion principles.

The Charge Nurse maintains ongoing interactions with patients, families, and staff on the improvement of patient care through leader rounding. Ensures effective collaboration with other departments regarding patient process issues.

The Charge Nurse drives department service standards and activities to improve department score for patient satisfaction on unit-based scorecard, through role modeling and fostering accountability.

The Charge Nurse models the standards of care related to the nursing process, as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document, by actively participating in meeting and improving nurse sensitive quality indicators and patient safety goals. Participates in the creation of a continuous improvement environment by promoting situational awareness, assisting with audits as needed, and using teachable moments.

The Charge Nurse coordinates nursing care throughout the shift considering patient acuity, staff skill level and safety to ensure that our duty to our patients can be met. Models the standards related to regulatory requirements and professional practice as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document.

The Charge Nurse facilitates seamless patient flow to/from/through the department, leading the delivery of quality family-centered care throughout the continuum of care. Ensures the patient plan of care is accurate and timely, coaching staff if documentation deficiencies are identified. Works closely with the OAs and bed management regarding timely patient placement. Proactively recognizes, determines a plan of action, and responds to situations, such as Rapid Response/CERTs, and emergency codes.

The Charge Nurse participates in initiatives to improve quality and safety scores on the unit and hospital scorecards, through peer-to-peer accountability, reporting near misses and identifying solutions by collaborating with the interprofessional team. Role models situational awareness, using teachable moments to improve safety. Assists with audits as needed.

The Charge Nurse implements department strategies to achieve financial target on unit-based scorecard and mentors others to do the same through timely documentation of care, decreasing length of stay, optimizing efficiency, minimizing incidental overtime, and other areas according to departmental specifications.

The Charge Nurse attends daily care coordination rounds to facilitate patient progression. Ensures that follow-up has been implemented on any concerns or issues identified by the team. Manages productivity in accordance with staffing grid.

The Charge Nurse provides input into unit resource utilization including unit capital and operational budget needs. Oversees shift by shift resource utilization through the allocation of staff, supplies and contributions to the patient throughput.

The Charge Nurse fosters identification and implementation of innovative solutions for practice changes to improve patient care or unit operations such as reduction of hospital readmissions or other department-specific measures by leading and/or participating in unit projects and shared governance activities. Investigates and incorporates evidence-based practices which are presented to shared governance and leadership. Supports change initiatives and adapts to unexpected changes.

The Charge Nurse expands individual nursing knowledge and coaches staff to grow in knowledge, abilities, skills, and attitudes. Serves as clinical resource. Develops and disseminates, as appropriate, informational/educational resources and programs designed to improve quality and professional practice.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Qualifications

The Charge Nurse is a graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section.

The Charge Nurse has twenty four months of clinical nursing experience with demonstration of progressive leadership skills.

License/Certification

The Charge Nurse must obtain permanent Texas license within 60 days (if establishing Texas residency) AND Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA).

The Charge Nurse may also have Magnet - ANCC Recognized Certification, Advanced Cardiac Life Support or Instructor (AHA) within 4 months, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale Certification (AHA) within 4 months, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention or Instructor (CPI).

KSA/Supplemental Data

The Charge Nurse demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations.

The Charge Nurse has sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security.

The Charge Nurse effectively communicates with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles.

The Charge Nurse has strong assessment, organizational and problem solving skills as evidenced by capacity to prioritize multiple tasks and role components.

The Charge Nurse functions independently and exercises judgment in interactions with physicians, interprofessional healthcare team and patients and their families.

The Charge Nurse uses critical thinking skills and clinical judgment to work autonomously as defined by the Nurse Practice Act.

The Charge Nurse demonstrates proficient time management skills.

The Charge Nurse has highly developed assessment skills; contributes to policies, procedure and protocols.

The Charge Nurse has knowledge of Nursing Unit's Dashboard and Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores.

The Charge Nurse demonstrates expertise in operating the electronic medical record.

The Charge Nurse maintains level of professional contributions as defined in Clinical Career Path program guide.

Work Attire: Uniform Yes, Scrubs Yes, Business professional No, Other (department approved) No.

On Call* Yes. Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

Travel** May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes, May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No.

Company Profile

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and