Charge Nurse

Job Code

30000804

Basic Function

Provides leadership in coordinating and managing nursing and patient care within the multidisciplinary team. Directs and supervises the nursing care on assigned shift/day using the Nursing Process and Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH) Policies and Procedures. Plans and Delegates direct patient care responsibilities to nurses and ancillary nursing personnel. Accountable and responsible for staff assignment, care provision, problem solving and decision making for both direct and indirect care on their assigned shift.

Scope

Plans and Delegates patient care to nursing team based on patient acuity and nurse competency. Receives supervision and direction from the unit manager /Nursing Shift Coordinator (NSC) and reports to the unit manager and Nursing Shift Coordinator after hours. Work is performed on shifts as required, in the general wards, critical care clinical units, operating room, labor and delivery units, emergency rooms and clinics in JHAH facilities in Dhahran, Abqaiq, Al Hasa, Ras Tanurah and Udalliyah. Hours are assigned and may include on call and scheduled overtime based on operations and service needs.  Supports new staff orientation, support leadership in unit quality initiatives, assesses and evaluates staff work performance and helps the unit manager with staff evaluation and work performance.

Work hours are assigned to meet operational needs. Hours may include on call and scheduled overtime.

Direction is through the unit manager.

Principal Contacts

Ongoing with patients and their families for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating the nursing plan of care. Overseas the orientation and integration to the unit of new hires. Liaises with physicians and other clinical personal on the provision of the service.  Leads interprofessional  rounds, assisting with medical procedures, developing a plan of care and reporting changes in the patient's condition; ongoing with Unit Manager/Nursing Shift Coordinator or Senior Management for reporting purpose, guidance and direction; with technical and other support services within medical for direct patient care, patient flow, and unit maintenance. Routine contacts with the public through patients, families, and visitors. Occasional with Saudi Aramco and outside services.

Principal Duties

• Prepares monthly staff assignment/ rotation based on acuity and competency of staff.
• Attends rounds per unit standards, leading the unit based multi-disciplinary rounds. Encourages and supports staff participation in rounds (e.g., multidisciplinary rounds)
• Monitors and audits compliance with documentation and care standards per unit requirements. Follows up with staff members relative to breaches with documentation standards and notifies the Supervisor to ensure performance improvement.
• Maintains communication with staff regarding unit status and patient needs. Consistently communicates with Supervisor/Nursing Shift Coordinator regarding changes in unit status, acuity and patient care needs.
• Collaborates with instructors/preceptors regarding student/orientee assignments by ensuring an environment conducive to learning. Assures preceptors updates/completes orientation competency checklist and notifies preceptor of clinical learning opportunities as appropriate and precepts new charge nurses.
• Leads committees/task forces by providing input and assists with patient care to provide coverage during meetings.
• Represents unit, regularly attends and actively leads committees and/or task forces.
• Delegates responsibilities to nursing staff and ancillary personnel with an understanding of their roles, knowledge and competence.
• Demonstrates effective collaboration and team behaviors.
• Contributes to unit and organization culture of quality and safety.
• Is able to identify appropriate resources for information needed, unit responsibilities in disasters, online policies and procedures. Utilizes Evidence Based Practice (EBP) resources to educate staff according to unit needs
• Solves problems and facilitates the timely admission/transfer/discharge of patients by mobilizing available unit resources on a daily basis, independently consults with the physician and case manager regarding patient transfer/discharge needs in order to expedite patient disposition. Reports plan to /Supervisor/ NSC as appropriate.

Principal Duties (cont'd)

• Provides information during bed availability meetings that facilitates the Admission/Discharge process on a consistent basis.
• Verifies that all daily unit based requirements and checks (restraint logs, emergency equipment, narcotics count, etc.) are completed and documented.
• Communicates staff and unit operational needs to Unit Manager/NSC. Consistently suggests recommendations to Unit Manager /NSC based on thorough assessment of unit needs.
• Identifies, and communicates patient safety issues to the appropriate department or level.Assures compliance with corrective actions resulting from identified safety concerns.
• In a timely manner, independently gives and document direct feedback to staff members regarding their performance. Reevaluates staff performance based on discussed feedback and notifies Supervisor. Assists the unit supervisor in formulating performance goals.
• Supervises new hire and less experience staff on their job duties
• Submit unit monthly report to unit manager
• Implements, directs, and monitors the units ongoing Quality and Improvement activates.
• May lead unit based and/or hospital wide special projects or committees. Volunteers to participate in completing committee activities such as:unit audits, taking minutes, suggesting agenda items.
• Prepares and submits Monthly staffing schedule/ monthly staff disaster list
• Overseas annual and new hire competencies completion and follow up with their mandatory in-services.
• Participates in Full Time Equivalent and Net Direct Expenditure utilization and cost containment, as well as ensuring the availability and proper functionality of essential medical equipment and supplies and trouble shooting.

Education

Bachelor Degree in Nursing

Experience

7 years minimum clinical nursing experience following licensure/registration in the country of origin, to include 3 years experience in specific specialty.

Certifications/Other requirements as applicable

• Current licensure as a professional registered nurse.
• Advanced training certification in area of specialty is preferred.

• Fluent spoken and written English.  Spoken Arabic desirable.