The position of Charge Nurse/Team Leader provides personal nursing care for residents and leadership to the nursing staff to assure that care standards are met and the highest degree of quality resident care – including the performance of nursing service personnel - is provided at all times. The position must function as a team member, team leader, and supervisor to ensure that work is accomplished and quality care is delivered, supporting team members and leading the way in celebrating team successes. While focusing on delivering quality care, the position must also manage the resources within their control and assist others in managing resources.
Job duties & responsibilities
- Direct the team functions of the nursing activities in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- Make sure that sufficient nursing staffing levels are met to ensure delivery of quality resident care.
- Assist in orientation and training of new employees and participate in their ongoing training.
- Develop and communicate shift assignments for nursing staff and monitor job performance to assure that staff are performing their work assignments within acceptable nursing standards.
- Communicate with ancillary departments and nursing staff at shift change on resident conditions, needs and concerns.
- Ensure that all nursing staff follow established departmental policies and procedures.
- Periodically review the department’s policies, procedure manuals, job descriptions, and make recommendations for revisions.
- Review and evaluate your department’s workforce and make recommendations to your supervisor.
- Periodically meet on scheduled basis to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas and suggested improvements.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the financial aspects of nursing operations and provide accurate documentation of all services in order to assure accurate reimbursement from all payor sources.
MANAGE THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN THE ROLE OF CHARGE NURSE WHILE ENSURING THAT NEEDED RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE AND THAT QUALITY CARE IS DELIVERED TO ALL RESIDENTS. Provide professional nursing care to residents.
- Assess the needs of new residents and inform staff of new resident arrivals.
- Make daily resident visits to observe and evaluate resident’s physical and emotional status and revise care plan accordingly.
- Interact with medical staff, nursing staff, resident, family members, and other visitors regarding resident condition.
- Conduct/monitor medication passes and treatments to assure that resident care plan requirements are met.
- Ensure that all resident care is provided in a dignified and respectful manner.
Ensure that all nursing staff are knowledgeable of the residents’ rights, and responsibilities. Participate in the development of a written care plan and assessment for each resident and review and revise as appropriate.
- Participate in the development of written preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the nursing needs of each resident as required.
- Participate in the development of written preliminary and comprehensive care plan for each resident.
- Review resident care plans for appropriate resident problems, approaches, goals, and revisions based on nursing needs.
- Ensure that all staff involved in providing care to the resident are aware of the care plan and that care plans are used in administering daily care to residents.
Ensure that a clean, comfortable and safe environment for residents is maintained at all times and assure that resident needs are met.
- Monitor team members to assure that established safety regulations on the use of equipment and supplies are adhered to.
- Ensure that all nursing work areas and resident care rooms, treatment areas, etc. are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner.
- Ensure that all residents are treated fairly, and with kindness, dignity and respect.
Assist residents in adjusting to their new home environment. Maintain resident documentation, records and charts to ensure an accurate, up to date record of the resident’s medical treatments.
- Review care plans as needed for any changes.
- Use monitoring tools consistently and correctly.
- Record all resident information as required.
- Maintain the confidentiality of all resident information.
MAINTAIN AND WORK WITHIN ESTABLISHED DEPARTMENTAL, CENTER, AND CORPORATE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, OBJECTIVES, QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, AND SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL AND INFECTION CONTROL STANDARDS.
- Promptly reports any suspected resident abuse, neglect or misappropriation to the DON.
Participate in and provide scheduled training, educational classes, and orientation programs to maintain licensure of self and certification of team members and enhance quality of care.
- Attend any mandatory meetings as required by your Center.
Perform other related activities as assigned or requested.
- Provide leadership to the staff and create loyalty to the organization, its mission, and its goals by leading by example.
- Take personal responsibility for absenteeism, tardiness and turnover.
- Teach, motivate, direct and support your team members.
- Ensure alignment by teaching your team the company mission, unit goals and objectives.
- Provide excellent and thorough communication to your team.
- Respond to team member’s issues, complaints and grievances, quickly and appropriately.
- Respect team members, residents, and family members.
- Cooperate with your fellow staff in all aspects of your job.
- Demonstrate loyalty to the organization, its mission and its goals.
- Ensure that disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, handicap or marital status.
- Participate in your shift’s performance evaluations and make recommendations to Supervisor regarding transfers and dismissals, etc.
- Continually boost the morale of your team in any way possible.
- Walk the Talk: Say what you mean, do what you say.
Qualifications & Experience requirements
- Must possess a current license as an RN or LPN in the state where the center is located.
- Prior work/life experiences, preferably in a Healthcare setting.
- Prior supervisory experience, preferably in a long-term care Center.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long-term care.
- Must have the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
- Must be able to deal tactfully with team members, other staff, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies, and the general public.
- Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with team members in all positions.
- Must be able to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, and procedures, etc. that are necessary for providing quality care.
- Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.
Work environment
- May work beyond normal working hours, on weekends and holidays, when necessary.
- Is subject to frequent interruptions.
- Field based work required. Occasional overnight travel will be required as times with field based assignments.
Physical effort/demands (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)
- Ability to move (sit, stand, bend, lift) intermittently throughout the workday.
- Ability to lift, push, pull, and move a minimum of 50 pounds.
Mental effort/demands (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)
- Ability to function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and ability to work effectively with staff and support agencies.
- In good health and demonstrating emotional stability.
- Ability to cope with the mental and emotional stresses of the position.
Communication (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)
- Must be able to read, write and speak the English language in an understandable manner.
Sensory requirements (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)
- Ability to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
