SUMMARY: Under general supervision, the AH Charge Nurse will act as lead person for nursing or nursing support personnel and to be responsible for the operation of an assigned area for each shift and ensure optimal patient care; plans, implements, and evaluates patient care. Performs related duties as required.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: NOTE: Following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual in the classification. 

1.  During the course of a shift, performs Nurse Leader rounds to all patients in assigned area to assess nursing care and status of assignment of personnel; makes reassignment as necessary and provides assistance, teaching, or guidance as needed.

2.  Gathers and assess information about patients to meet nursing needs; assists and consults with physician in the performance of procedures and diagnostic tests; contacts physicians and/or other departments to obtain or provide patient information.

3.  Monitors implementation of standards set by State and National regulatory and/or accrediting agencies; verifies that administrative and personnel procedures are completed accurately; interprets and implements policies, procedures and regulations.

4.  Monitors the regularity of programs providing for infection control, quality assurance, continuity of care, teaching of patients, and coordination of care with other departments.

5.  Participates in promoting a healthy, safe, and therapeutic environment for patient and families; set up and controls the environment essential for infection control.

6.  Promotes cordial and productive patterns of communication among staff, patients and family members; communicates regularly to immediate supervisor any needs, problems or suggestions.

7.  Completes Sentact Rounding as directed

8.  Completes unit’s daily charge nurse checklist

9.  May need to temporarily go into patient care in emergent situations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Graduate of an accredited Nursing program required; Bachelor’s degree in Nursing preferred. Minimum Experience: Two years of experience as a Registered Nurse II with AHS or the equivalent of three years full-time professional nursing experience in a large acute facility in the clinical area of application. (NOTE: a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from an accredited school may be substituted for one year of the required experience.)

Preferred License/Certifications: CCRN - Critical Care Registered Nurse is desirable. (For Intensive Care Unit)

Preferred Licenses/Certifications: CEN - Certified Emergency Nurse is desirable (for Emergency Department positions).

Preferred Licenses/Certifications: PCCN – Progressive Care Nursing  is desirable (Telemetry Department positions).

Required Licenses/Certifications: ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification - issued by AHA - American Heart Association, may be required per facility or unit/department specialty according to patient care policies.

Required Licenses/Certifications: BLS - Basic Life Support Certification issued by the American Heart Association. Other advanced life support certifications may be required per unit/department specialty according to patient care policies.

Required Licenses/Certifications: CPI -Crisis Prevention Intervention Training (required for certain positions in the Emergency Department).

Required Licenses/Certifications: PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification- AHA American Heart Association (Required for Emergency Department).

Required Licenses/Certifications: Valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of California.