Charge Nurse

About This Role

This night-shift post on the cardiac ward pairs patient care with mentoring new nurses. The Inpatient Rehabilitation Charge Nurse provides direct patient care as a key member of the nursing team, utilizing the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care to promote the restoration and maintenance of each patient's physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being and achieve established care goals. During the assigned shift, the Charge Nurse serves as the clinical leader for the unit, ensuring efficient operations and the seamless coordination of patient care and unit.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care as assigned
• Coordinate patient admissions and discharges
• Facilitate patient transfers for surgeries, procedures, diagnostic testing, follow-up appointments, and transfers to other facilities
• Manage telemetry monitoring and ensure telemetry strips are reviewed and documented as required
• Prepare shift assignments and coordinate staffing needs, including coverage for call-ins and emergencies
• Provide a comprehensive end-of-shift report to the oncoming Charge Nurse and Director of Nursing (DON)
• Ensure patient baths are completed as assigned
• Perform or verify daily crash cart checks on the day shift
• Ensure all ordered laboratory specimens are collected, properly labeled, and sent to the appropriate laboratory
• Review laboratory results and ensure critical or abnormal findings are communicated promptly to the physician or appropriate provider
• Perform or delegate administrative responsibilities, including chart maintenance, filing, and restocking unit supplies and forms
• Conduct routine patient rounds to promote quality patient care, safety, and patient satisfaction
• Address patient and family questions, concerns, and complaints, and notify or escalate all patient concerns to the Director of Nursing as appropriate
• Participate in Joint Commission readiness activities and audits as needed
• Coordinate interdisciplinary patient care with the nursing team, physicians, Respiratory Therapy (RT), Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech Therapy (ST), Pharmacy, Case Management, and other healthcare professionals to ensure continuity and quality of care

Requirements

• Current, active, and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of employment required
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification required within six (6) months of hire
• Minimum of one (1) year of inpatient rehabilitation nursing experience required

Nice to have:

• Previous acute care nursing experience strongly preferred