Job Summary
The Charge Nurse is a key member of the nursing team, responsible for providing direct patient care, supervising nursing staff, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality healthcare services to residents. This role requires strong clinical skills, leadership abilities, and a compassionate approach to patient care.
Key Responsibilities
- Patient Care:
- Provide direct nursing care to residents, assessing their health status, and developing individualized care plans.
- Administer medications, perform treatments, and monitor vital signs as needed.
- Supervision and Leadership:
- Supervise and lead a team of nursing staff, including Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).
- Provide guidance, support, and mentorship to promote a positive work environment.
- Care Coordination:
- Collaborate with the interdisciplinary healthcare team to ensure seamless and coordinated care for residents.
- Communicate effectively with physicians, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to address residents' needs.
- Documentation:
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date medical records, including nursing assessments, care plans, and progress notes.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory standards for documentation.
- Patient and Family Communication:
- Communicate with residents and their families regarding care plans, changes in health status, and other relevant information.
- Address concerns or questions in a professional and empathetic manner.
- Quality Assurance:
- Participate in quality assurance initiatives, contributing to the development and implementation of best practices.
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of care plans and make adjustments as necessary.
- Emergency Response:
- Respond effectively to medical emergencies, providing immediate care and coordinating with emergency services when needed.
- Ensure that nursing staff is trained and prepared for emergency situations.
Preferred Qualifications and Skills
- Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in the state of Alabama.
- Experience in nursing, with significant experience in a Skilled Nursing Facility.
- Strong clinical skills and knowledge of geriatric nursing practices.
- Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
- Certification in Gerontological Nursing or a similar specialty is preferred.
- Previous experience in a charge nurse or supervisory role.
- Familiarity with electronic health record systems.
Working Conditions
- Works in office area(s) as well as throughout the nursing service area (i.e., drug rooms, nurses’ stations, resident rooms, etc.).
- Moves intermittently during working hours.
- Is subject to frequent interruptions.
- Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
- Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.
- Communicate with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department directors.
- Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.
- Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).
- Is involved in community/civic health matters/projects as appropriate.
- Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
- Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.
- Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS, COVID-19, and Hepatitis B viruses.
- May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
- Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, support departments, etc., to adequately plan for the residents’ needs.
Education
Must possess and maintain any and all necessary active and unencumbered certifications, degrees, or licenses in the necessary state, to the extent the position requires such certifications, degrees, or licenses.
Specific Requirements
- Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served.
- Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of teamwork and team concept.
- Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
- Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
- Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.
- Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.
Physical and Sensory Requirements (with or without reasonable accommodation)
(With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)
- Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
- Must be able to read, speak, and understandably write the English language.
- Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
- Must function independently, and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
- Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination if the position requires.
- Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.
- Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 50 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.
- May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergencies.
All Other Duties as Assigned.
I understand this job description and its requirements; I understand that this is not an exclusive list of the job functions and that I am expected to complete all duties as assigned; I understand the job functions may be altered by management without notice and that I am an at-will employee.
Accommodations
The facility is an equal opportunity employer and recognizes that an individual with a disability may require accommodation to enable the individual to successfully perform a job function. I understand that I should discuss with my supervisor any needed accommodation. I agree to cooperate with the facility in identifying and discussing any available reasonable accommodation that may enable me to perform the essential function(s) of my position.
