Charge Nurse

Duties and responsibilities

The Charge Nurse has an overall responsibility for resident care in the facility. All of the following duties are essential unless otherwise noted:

• The Director of Nursing Services designates charge nurses at his or her
discretion. When two or more nurses are on duty the charge nurse will be assigned by the DON, or ADON, as noted on the staff schedule. A LPN may not charge if an RN is on duty, unless that RN is in orientation. LPN’s may not charge on the day shift.
• Evaluate resident needs, conditions, and care, and assist in developing nursing care plans for individual residents, including rehabilitative and restorative activities and instruction in self-help.
• Communicate with family members regarding the condition and progress of the resident, including in-person discussion and answering of telephone inquires.
• Assist the physicians in rounds, reviewing physicians’ orders, ordering medications, maintaining resident’s charts, and transcribing physicians’ orders, as assigned.
• Delegate duties and assignments to other assigned nursing staff per
shift.
• Assist the Director of Nursing Services with implementation of policies and procedures for the unit.
• Responsible for monitoring assigned nursing staff’s completion of
assignments cooperation with instructions and professional conduct.
• Make daily rounds to evaluate emotional and physical needs of residents during shift.
• Notify the physician and family of incidents or changes in the condition of a resident.
• Exhibit professional conduct when on duty and guide subordinates to
do the same.
• Participate in all in-service meetings and CEU’s as required.
• Carry out and follow all facility personnel policies.
• Document pertinent information in resident charts regarding resident
status.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Nursing Services.
• Assist with resident transports for scheduled appointments and outings when applicable.

Knowledge, abilities, skills Charge Nurses must have the following:

• Knowledge related to nursing such as: medications and
biological, physical, social, and medical needs of residents
• Good physical and mental health.
• A sense of responsibility and leadership
• A pleasant personality appropriate for working effectively with visitors, residents and staff.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in English.
• Be able to understand the needs of and have a desire to help the elderly and help the mentally ill.
• Ability to maintain good working relationships with others, including coworkers, residents, and families.
• Desire to continue to improve education in geriatrics, leadership, and managerial skills.
• Ability to grasp new procedures
• Ability to be flexible and use problem solving abilities
• Model behavior that reflects professional growth.
• Ability to use good judgment in determining the needs of residents.
• Ability to exercise initiative in resident care, directing the work of subordinates and fulfilling other required duties as assigned by the supervisor.
• Capacity to be supportive of and adaptable to change.
• Ability and desire to carry out and follow all facility personnel policies.

This is not a complete job description**