POSITION SUMMARY:

The RN is responsible and accountable for directing, planning, and organizing the nursing activities on the unit for an assigned shift with focus on patient, physician and staff needs. The RN is responsible for delivering skilled patient care through the nursing process in accordance with established policies and procedures; for coordinating patient care through the nursing process in accordance with established policies and procedures; for coordinating care among patient/family, medicine, nursing, ancillary, and other team personnel; acts as patient advocate; and maintains current knowledge and standards of professional nursing practice.

Additional functions applicable when acting as shift Charge Nurse:

The charge nurse is responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of nursing care and operation of the nursing unit during his/her shift in a manner consistent with hospital policies while maintaining a culture of safety, open communication, team building, and customer satisfaction. The charge nurse demonstrates critical thinking skills.

Duties include:

Make patient care assignments based on patient acuity and the skill, experience and competencies of the nursing staff with consideration for a collaborative, harmonious and compatible nurse-patient relationship.

Promotion of a patient-centered culture of safety, teamwork, accountability, communication and efficiency.

Evaluate and modify patient care assignments as needed

Demonstrate effective clinical reasoning, the ability to effectively re-prioritize patient/unit needs and implement rescue efforts as warranted

Assisting in the orientation, evaluation and supervision of agency/temporary staff, new nurses and other staff as needed.

Demonstrates understanding of suicide prevention and patient restraints for sitting assignments of 1:1 care, frequent checks and continuous observation of patients.

Effective communication between nursing and other hospital staff, physicians, patients, their families, and visitors as appropriate, regarding but not limited to:

Changes in patients' condition

Results of diagnostic tests

Safety and quality of care concerns

Customer satisfaction concerns

Delegates tasks or interventions in accordance with the Texas Administrative Code Rule 224.6 to ensure patient safety through ongoing supervision and accountability. Activates the Chain of Command as appropriate Ensures compliance with hospital policies and procedures, regulatory and statutory requirements including but not limited to: Core Measures Infection Control standards CMS NIAHO/DNV OSHA State of Texas

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS: Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled

1. Experience of 1-2 years Medical/Surgical/ICU/E.D./OR/PACU/OPS/NICU preferred.

2. Current RN licensure in the state of Texas

3. Certification per unit specific competency (i.e. BLS, CPI, etc.).

4. NIHS Scale, stroke education, cardiac education and ortho education as per department specific competencies.