Charge Nurse

Summary

The Charge Nurse is responsible for coordinating all aspects of resident care 24 hours/day on the assigned unit(s). This position will ensure appropriate utilization of services relative to resident care abiding by departmental policies and procedures, and interpreting them to personnel, family/responsible parties, and residents.
Criminal background check is required.

Essential Duties

• Oversee the day-to-day functions on the nursing unit(s) in accordance with current County and Pocopson Home policies and procedures and with Department of Health regulations.
• Participate in SNF planning, decision making and policy formation at management meetings. Participates in the performance improvement functions by collecting and verifying data as needed
• Ensure that a sufficient number of licensed and certified staff is available on the unit and that they are following facility procedure in provision of care. Develop work assignments and delegate authority as necessary.
• Assist in developing methods for coordinating nursing services with other disciplines to ensure continuity of total resident regimen.
• Perform audits; prepare reports, performance evaluations and so forth; and participate in Federal, State and County surveys. Maintain current departmental policy and procedure manuals; ensure that current reference material is available at the nurse's station. Ensure staff compliance with policies and procedures regarding department operations, fire safety, emergency management and infection prevention and control.
• Represent the nursing department on various committees: Infection Control, Pain Management, Quality Improvement, etc.
• Make written and verbal reports/recommendations to the Director of Nursing (DON) concerning operation of the unit(s).
• Make daily rounds on the nursing unit(s) to ensure all nursing personnel are performing their work assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards; meet with nursing staff and support personnel on each shift to ensure open communications.
• Notify nursing unit(s) of new admissions and hospital returns.
• Assist in the admission, transfer and discharge of residents as required; assist with resident care and documentation, as necessary.
• Complete incident and accident reports, as necessary.
• Attend and actively participate in nursing meetings; attend team meetings.
• Oversee the implementation of individualized resident care plans. Participate and coordinate care plan meetings with interdisciplinary team members and family.
• Ensure that the resident's attending physician and responsible party are notified when a change in condition occurs.
• Monitor completion of required documentation.
• Conduct floor meetings on all shifts quarterly.
• Perform other duties, tasks and special projects, as required.

Qualifications/Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Licensed as a Registered Nurse.
• Current certification in CPR.
• Experience in Long-Term Care
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain confidential information and handle confidential matters.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Excellent customer service experience and/or skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• General understanding of fiscal planning.
• General understanding of Human Resource guidelines.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills.
• Basic skill to use a personal computer and various software packages.
• Strong professional ethics.
• Working knowledge of Pennsylvania State nursing and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid regulations.

• Ability to follow office protocols.
• Ability to handle and resolve complaints and concerns.
• Strong time management skills.
• Ability to establish priorities
• Detail oriented
• Able to carry tasks to completion.
• General knowledge of Chester County policies and procedures.
• Flexibility.

Additional Information

Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have:

• Basic Word skills.
• Basic Outlook skills
• Basic Internet Explorer skills.