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Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

About the Role:

Job Summary

The Charge Nurse, under the direct and indirect supervision of the Nurse Manager or administrative supervisor, facilitates and assists with all levels of Nursing care provided to patients within a Nursing unit or practice location. The Charge Nurse will assist Clinical Nurses with day to day problem solving and will facilitate communication between care team providers. He/She coordinates, elevates and resolves problems and conflicts as they occur. The Charge Nurse assumes shift accountability for patient flow, matching patient needs with available resources, and elevates patient safety concerns/situations as well as any other situation that is unable to be resolved during the shift. The Charge Nurse leadership role is critical to improving the quality of care provided on the individual Nursing unit/practice setting. In addition to these responsibilities, when needed the Charge Nurse may assume all or partial staff nurse responsibilities. The Charge Nurse is the first level of administration assigned to the unit in the absence of the Nurse Manager or Assistant Nurse Manager. The Charge Nurse participates in Peer Interviewing and Peer Evaluation. The Charge Nurse is included in worked hours per patient day (WHPPD) and is assigned by self to direct patient care assignment as unit need indicates. The Charge Nurse assists in the advancement of the professional practice environment by communicating the NGMC Nursing strategic direction and focusing on activities that support the Nursing strategic direction. Provides Nursing involvement support for VOICE and the NDNQI quality teams including supporting team members in their professional participation. Assists with overall clinical governance and other projects as assigned.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Licensure or other certifications: Licensed to practice as an RN in Georgia. National certification in either a clinical or leadership specialty within two (2) years of hire.

• Educational Requirements: Associates Degree in Nursing. BSN strongly encouraged within five years.

• Minimum Experience: A minimum of one (1) year in a direct patient care role in an acute care environment and in the specialty.

• Other: Professional organization membership within three (3) months of hire into the role.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Preferred Licensure or other certifications:

• Preferred Educational Requirements: Bachelors or Masters in Nursing.

• Preferred Experience: Three (3) years of direct patient care experience in an acute care environment and within the specialty.

• Other:

Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Meets all competency requirements defined by unit (i.e. BLS, ACLS, PALS)

• Demonstrates strong clinical expertise and judgement

• Strong computer skills (computer systems defined by unit)

• Strong leadership/management skills and abilities

• Demonstrates critical thinking skills

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

• Leadership Responsibilities - understands/recognizes individual strengths and weaknesses and is willing to seek out other experts on their team when necessary. Accepts responsibility for achieving objectives through individual work activities and the outputs of the care team. Coordinates activities of patient care team on the unit. Functions as part of the leadership team directly accountable to the Nurse Manager. Stays focused on the patient care, remains informed about the status of all patients. Provides guidance to staff members, assesses staff performance, and provides feedback to Nurse Manager and/or Administrative Nursing Supervisor. Has responsibility of timely evaluation and completion of assigned formal employee evaluations. Collaborates with other health care disciplines/departments to maintain communication and provide optimal level of patient care. Participates in decision making regarding patient flow. Oversees completion of unit specific administrative tasks (i.e. PI audits, code carts, bed meetings). Serves as a role model to other employees and consistently demonstrates skills and characteristics the organization values.

• Clinical/Technical - represents responsibilities of Charge Nurse directly related to patient care or the technical aspects required to work on that unit. Assesses patient acuity. Plans for changes in staffing or an influx of admissions or discharges. Delegates work and make staffing assignments appropriate and fairly. Assists staff in completing their work. Functions as a clinical resource (knowledge of key equipment and patient care deliverables) for assigned patient population(s).

• Critical Thinking competencies - represents responsibilities of the Charge Nurse to demonstrate effective decision-making and problem-solving involving both clinical and operational issues on their unit. Anticipates patient needs and staffing requirements. Assesses/evaluates care delivered and adjusts to clinical and operational information. Handles stress and manages crisis situations efficiently and effectively. When crisis occurs, assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the care team and demonstrates the ability to make or adjust assignments. Uses critical thinking to troubleshoot and think ahead. Analyzes errors, takes accountability, and finds ways to help the staff improve performance through process improvement initiatives.

• Organizational competencies - represents responsibilities of Charge Nurse to understand and operate in the organizational environment as well as in the larger organization. Triages, coordinates multiple tasks, and manages unit with multiple interruptions. Prioritizes work load and directs unit activities in organized manner. Uses effective time management skills. Proactively anticipates needs and makes adjustments to accommodate needs. Uses resources effectively. Able to see the big picture and make correct decisions based on this understanding. Maintains appropriate and timely communication with the administrative nursing supervisors.

• Human Relations competencies - represent responsibilities of the Charge Nurse to interact effectively with other personnel to accomplish requirements of patient care as well as complete assigned administrative activities. Maintains accessibility/visibility on the unit- rounding with staff, managers, or physicians if necessary. Has Influence over the atmosphere of unit in positive manner. Demonstrates respect with all levels of patient care team. Treats patients with care and respect. Draws on the strengths of each staff member to foster teamwork and administrates effective patient care.

Physical Demands

• Weight Lifted: Up to 50 lbs, Occasionally 0-30% of time

• Weight Carried: Up to 20 lbs, Occasionally 0-30% of time

• Vision: Moderate, Frequently 31-65% of time

• Kneeling/Stooping/Bending: Occasionally 0-30%

• Standing/Walking: Frequently 31-65%

• Pushing/Pulling: Occasionally 0-30%

• Intensity of Work: Frequently 31-65%

• Job Requires: Reading, Writing, Reasoning, Talking, Fingering

Working at NGHS means being part of something special: a team invested in you as a person, an employee, and in helping you reach your goals.

NGHS: Opportunities start here.

Northeast Georgia Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification or status.