Job Description:                 REGISTERED NURSE - CHARGE

Department:                         Nursing Services

Responsible To:                   Director of Emergency Care Center

Education/Training:            BSN preferred. In lieu of BSN, commitment to earn BSN within an established period of time may be required.

Experience:                           Minimum of 2 years Emergency Department experience preferred.

License:                                 Valid State of Florida Nursing License.  BLS required. ACLS preferred.

Physical Requirements:      Good physical condition to continually sit; frequently stand, walk bend/stoop, and squat; occasionally kneel, reach above shoulder level, and balance; ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, pull maximum over 50lbs with assistance; must continually be able to see, hear, speak, and use both hands to easily communicate.  Exceptional level of energy and vitality.

Environmental Conditions:  Primarily works inside (> 75% of time) and may experience the following hazards: biological, needles and sharps, radiation, stress, noise, vibration, dust, fumes, and occasional temperature extremes.

Occupational Exposure:    Category I = Job involves tasks or procedures that have exposure to blood and potentially infectious materials during the performance of duties.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES             

1. Responsible for staffing according to the nurse ability and acuity of patients within the ECC. Responsible for reviewing staffing of entire ECC on a daily basis. Identifies employee learning needs and reports to Emergency Care Center Director.
2. Re-assesses patient systematically to identify progress and trends that require intervention.  Makes comprehensive nursing decisions based on the interpretation of facts and evaluations of patient outcome; modifies the plan of care based upon the evaluations.
3. Utilizes effective communication strategies, which result in intended outcomes.Utilizes the appropriate chain of command for resolution of difficult issues.
4. Support the policies and procedures of the Emergency Care Center Director and the hospital administration such as OSHA standards (no eating or drinking in patient care area) JCAHO requirements, etc.
5. Wears Hill ROM locator badge at all times and ensures that it is functioning properly.  Insures that all staff nurses wear their Hill ROM locator badge at all times and ensures that they are functioning.
6. Participates in orientation of new staff/students on the unit. Attends mandatory staff meetings and in-services. Maintains neat, organized and safe environment for patients and staff.
7. Functions as a resource to visitors, physicians and staff, greeting them promptly and courteously        with eye contact and a pleasant expression and tone of voice.
8. Promotes a positive work environment as evidenced by:  Demonstrating a professional, supportive        attitude.  Being receptive and responsive to new ideas.  Being flexible to changing systems.
9. Participates in unit and integrated service projects to improve organizational performance. Collaborates by working with others to achieve unit and organizational goals. Delegates unit work assignments appropriately to ensure completion of required patient care support activities. Coordinates team assignments and make adjustments based upon patient and unit needs, follows up on delegated patient care tasks for quality and completeness.
10. Provides nursing supervisors with input regarding acuity levels of patients on the nursing unit and coordinates staffing with them. Provides input to nursing director for employee evaluations.
11. Assists with patient care as needed. Ensures that safety and security measures are met for all patients. Investigates complaints and reports to Emergency Care Center Director. Ensures that all equipment is properly accounted for, charged and returned to holding areas.
12. Perform other job related duties as assigned by Director.