POSITION PURPOSE

The dedicated Charge Nurse is a registered nurse responsible for providing shift-to-shift leadership for the practice and delivery of safe, effective, efficient, ethical, and culturally competent care to the unit patient population. This pivotal role bridges direct patient care with administrative responsibilities, ensuring optimal patient outcomes through effective leadership, resource allocation, and collaboration with the interdisciplinary healthcare team. The Charge Nurse ensures adherence to established policies, promotes a collaborative work environment, and supports staff development while maintaining patient safety and satisfaction.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops and maintains departmental daily staffing plan detailing appropriate employee classifications and qualifications consistent with the department's operational plan, projected volumes, patient/acuity and other relevant indicators. Assures compliance with staffing plan.
• Oversees daily operations, staff management, and coordination of interdepartmental activities within the unit or department during the assigned shift.
• Responsible for resolving clinical issues, and serving as a liaison between nurses, physicians, and administrative teams.
• Provides orientation/education for staff and students to ensure assigned patients have a positive care experience.
• Leads staff in the delivery of safe and effective patient care.
• Delivers nursing care by assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care in collaboration with the physician.
• Provides input on staff interviewing and hiring decisions as delegated by the unit leader.
• Maintains knowledge of documentation requirements needed for patient records.
• Ensures compliance with all policies and procedures governing assigned services, including Joint Commission standards, safety protocols, and applicable federal, state, and regulatory requirements.
• Serves as a resource, mentor, and role model in delivering patient care using a team approach.
• Facilitates communication between patient/family, physicians and other caregivers to achieve consensus for the plan of care. Consults with the Ethics Committee as appropriate.
• Leads and promotes evidence-based practice and research among unit leaders and staff.
• Leads quality improvement activities including performance improvement processes to facilitate clinical practice changes.
• Conduct follow-up on incident reports as directed by the Unit leader and participate in ongoing audits of nursing-sensitive indicators to ensure regulatory compliance. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, chart reviews, patient safety audits, shift-based crash cart checks, and other quality assurance activities as identified by the facility.
• Functions independently with minimal supervision from Nursing Leadership, guided by the Nurse Practice Act, MercyOne Central IA Market and Trinity Health policies, established nursing standards, and sound professional judgment.
• Plans unit and nursing resource utilization based on established admission, discharge and transfer criteria, initiating appropriate intervention and collaboration to optimize patient care and unit/department operations.
• Serves as a group leader and fulfills an assistant supervisory or lead role, providing guidance and support to team members. Additionally, it contributes to Human Resources functions by offering input and recommendations on personnel matters.
• Identifies and communicates staff needs to the unit leader.
• Serves as a resource or “Super User” for documentation in the electronic medical record.
• Leads or participates in interdisciplinary patient rounds and care conferences, management rounding to patients and staff, and Rounding to Influence (Safety First).
• Reviews and codes as indicated for shift needs in timekeeping system.
• Collaborate with Unit leader to balance schedule after closure of self-scheduling time-period and prior to completion of schedule.
• Leads or delegates daily huddles and maintains huddle boards in collaboration and direction from Unit leader.
• Assists nursing and interdisciplinary team in patient/family education and discharge planning.

Mission Statement: We, MercyOne Trinity Health, serve together in the spirit of the Gospel as a compassionate and transforming healing presence within our communities.

Core Values:

• Reverence: We honor the sacredness and dignity of every person.
• Commitment to Those who are Poor: We stand with and serve those who are poor, especially those most vulnerable.
• Safety: We embrace a culture that prevents harm and nurtures a healing, safe environment for all.
• Justice: We foster right relationships to promote the common good, including sustainability of Earth.
• Stewardship: We honor our heritage and hold ourselves accountable for the human, financial and natural resources entrusted to our care.
• Integrity: We are faithful to those we say we are.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of a current or compact state license as a Registered Nurse issued/defined by the State of Iowa.
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing preferred.
• 12 months of RN experience required. 24 months preferred.
• Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter – Child and/or Dependent Adult Abuse training within three (3) months of hire.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider certified or obtained within three (3) months of hire. Acceptable credentialing bodies and certifications include American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers.
• Unit specific credentialing and education active and in good standing.