Charge Nurse (RN)- PWC

Brief Description

Lowell Community Health Center

Job Description

Job Title: Charge Nurse

Department: PWC

Reports To: Nurse Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Lowell Community Health Center (Lowell CHC) is a community-based health care organization. Our programs have been recognized as national models. With a career at Lowell Community Health Center, you will be joining a dynamic team of passionate and talented people.

Summary

The Charge Nurse provides clinical leadership and oversight of daily nursing operations within the department. The role supports quality, safety, and patient-centered care while serving as a resource to nursing and clinical support staff and promoting effective teamwork, communication, and staff development.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership and oversee daily nursing operations, workflow, and patient care activities.
• Directly supervise nursing and medical assistant staff and provide guidance and support to clinical support staff as appropriate.
• Delegate duties appropriately based on staff competency, scope of practice, and organizational policies.
• Coach, mentor, and support staff development and assist the department manager with performance evaluations and identified training needs.
• Collaborate with the department leadership and multidisciplinary teams to coordinate patient care and clinical workflow.
• Assist with staffing schedules and ensure appropriate coverage to support department operations and continuity of care.
• Promote a positive, respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.
• Communicate and reinforce Lowell CHC policies, procedures, clinical standards, and expectations with staff.
• Maintain clinical competence and provide safe, effective, culturally responsive, equitable, and patient-centered nursing care within scope of practice.
• Exercise sound clinical judgment, prioritize patient care, and respond appropriately to urgent and emergent clinical situations.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of clinical documentation and support care coordination, including follow-up related to hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and other health care services.
• Assess patient and family education needs and provide appropriate education that supports patient participation, self-management, and health promotion.
• Serve as a patient and family advocate and utilize health center and community resources to support patient needs.
• Maintain effective communication and coordination with internal departments, providers, community organizations, and external agencies to support continuity of care.
• Assist with the development, review, and implementation of clinical policies, procedures, standards of care, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Identify staff education and competency needs and communicate them to the department manager/director.
• Participate in designated Lowell CHC committees, projects, and organizational initiatives.
• Use electronic medical records and other technology effectively to support patient care, communication, and documentation.
• Order clinical supplies in collaboration with the department manager and use resources responsibly.
• Perform nursing procedures appropriate to the ambulatory care setting, including medication administration, laboratory specimen collection, EKGs, and patient education.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with applicable laws, regulations, professional standards, infection prevention practices, and Lowell CHC policies.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Education: Graduate of an accredited nursing program. Additional education or training in ambulatory care, leadership, or management is preferred.
• License: Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Certifications: Current CPR/BLS certification required.
• Experience: Three to five years of clinical nursing experience, preferably in an ambulatory care or outpatient setting.
  
  

Physical Requirements:

• Frequent standing and walking for up to 80% of the workday or shift.
• Some lifting, pushing or pulling required up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to see and distinguish color.
• Ability to perform CPR (chest compressions).
  
  

Work Environment:

• Frequent contact with patients, families, visitors, nurses and other department staff. Occasional requests to change work areas to cover another priority area to meet patient needs. May be exposed to various body fluids and/or infectious diseases. Universal precautions and techniques are included in orientation and the availability of protective wear is supported and encouraged when the employee is at risk for exposure.