The charge nurse position is responsible for performing a variety of duties to provide quality nursing care to residents and to coordinate total nursing care for residents; for implementing specific procedures and programs; for participating with the director of nursing and the nurse manager in establishing specific goals; for determining work procedures and expediting work flow; for ensuring compliance with all operating policies and procedures and NJ Department of Health regulations and Federal Health Care Administration regulations; for communicating with and supervising appropriate personnel; for providing daily reports and other periodic reports; and for performing all the duties of a Registered Nurse or certified nursing assistant when required.
The shift is typically Monday to Friday 7am to 3pm but may require extended hours in the afternoon as necessary. This position is included in the weekend supervisor rotation.
Essential Functions
- Performs various duties to provide quality nursing care to residents to maintain or attain the highest practical level of functioning and to coordinate total nursing care for the residents as illustrated by the following:
- Assesses residents and analyzes obtained information to develop appropriate interventions to prevent decline; records signs of change in condition; notifies appropriate staff per facility protocol to evaluate weight loss, decline in ambulation, development of skin breakdown and other changes; observes conditions that indicate possible need for restorative nursing programs and then notifies appropriate staff per facility protocol of the need for evaluation; informs the physician of changes in assessment when appropriate.
- Administers medications and treatments to residents; monitors administration of intravenous fluids; places orders for medication with the pharmacy.
- Assesses residents on admission to develop interim care plan and further assesses in depth to contribute to the complete care plan. Updates care plans as warranted and required. Attends and participates at Plan of Care meetings as scheduled.
- Responds to emergencies; assesses the condition of the resident; decides on the type of medical attention required; calls appropriate ambulance service if needed; notifies family when resident is transferred or admitted to the hospital; notifies the physician when a change in condition occurs.
- Maintains resident both electronic and paper clinical files; keeps charts updated; documents.
- Completes employee and resident incident report forms; completes follow-up investigation forms.
- Makes rounds to see each resident daily and as needed.
- Maintains accountability for controlled substances; inventories medications at the beginning and end of the shift when necessary with another licensed nurse; notifies DON of discrepancies.
- Correlates accurate and complete documentation and its impact on reimbursement and federal regulations.
- Communicates status of residents to incoming personnel according to established procedures; communicates with physicians; transcribes, clarifies and implements physicians' orders.
- Supervises the Unit. Including RN’s, LPN’s, certified nursing assistants and the unit clerk and determines work procedures; prepares work schedules, expedites workflow, evaluates, counsels and disciplines.
- Ensures that certified nursing assistants, unit clerk and all supervised personnel adhere to standard job requirements.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position supervises the RNs, LPNs, and nursing assistants/unit clerks on the assigned Unit.
Qualifications
- Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
- Valid NJ Registered Nurse License
- 1-3 years supervisory experience in long term care, skilled nursing facilities or post-acute setting
- 2-5 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse