Charge Nurse - NICU

Job Description

Performs the essential duties and responsibilities and the primary functions of a Registered Nurse in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the care of assigned patients and nurses.  Responsible for meeting the established standards of Nursing Practice, for managing supplies and equipment and any assigned personnel.  Responsible for promoting teamwork with physicians and personnel of other departments.  Responsible for solving practical problems, dealing with a variety of issues, and interpreting a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral form.  Demonstrate clinical knowledge and judgement necessary for patient’s nursing care.  Supervision of all unit staff is involved requiring little direction, instruction, training, or planning.

SHIFT AND SCHEDULE

Full Time; 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

· Ability to assess, project, and plan for patient needs.

· Maintains current knowledge of medications and administers medications in accordance with Hospital policy and procedures.

· Ability to make appropriate decisions exercising independent judgement.

· Must be able to provide instructions to patients related to the patient’s plan of care.

· Provides accurate, timely, and complete documentation in respect to plan of care, assessment, and other patient care documentation.

· Communicates effectively (hear, listen, speak) with patients and families.

· Communicates effectively (hear, listen, speak) with physicians and health team members.

· Respects patients’ rights and confidential information.

· Demonstrates age specific competence in caring for patients from various age groups.

· Must provide a safe environment for patients, families, and co-workers.

· Adheres to Infection Control policies and procedures.

· Incorporates continuous performance improvement recommendations into clinical practice.

· Supports and practices in accordance with Hospital policy, procedures, and protocol.

· Contribute and participate in cost containment activities.

· Willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the unit.

· Attends meetings as directed by Nurse Manager.

· Management of personnel and patient care

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

· Previous RN experience on a NICU unit

· BSN preferred

· CNML or Certification in area of specialty preferred

· Current State of Texas License as a Registered Nurse

· Membership in specialty professional organizations preferred

· Advanced NRP within six months of hire required

· Advanced NRP instructor status preferred

· ACLS, BLS, NRP and intermediate fetal monitoring are required within 18 months of date of employment

· Intermediate fetal monitoring instructor status preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

· To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The individual must be able to:

· Stand, walk, sit, stoop, reach, lift, see, speak and hear. Lifting is limited to 35 lbs. for clinical staff and to 50 lbs. for non-clinical staff. The individual must use an assisted-lift device or get another individual(s) to assist with the lift that is over these maximum limits.