Charge Nurse

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

Works with the Facility Manager, facility staff and physician to coordinate the facility operations and patient procedures to ensure provision of quality patient care on a daily basis in accordance with FVC/FMCNA policies, procedures and training. Provides direct nursing care pre, intra and post procedure, under the direction of the Facility Manager, utilizing standard nursing techniques to assist the physician in optimum patient outcomes following facility policies and procedures. Assists with patient relations, supply management, medical records, equipment, OSHA and all company, state and federal compliance.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Often acts as a facilitator and team leader.
• As a highly skilled specialist, contributes to the development of concepts and techniques and acts as a subject matter expert
• Extensive knowledge in specialized functions.
• Makes recommendations for new procedures.
• Involved with planning, preparation and final execution of communications.
• Acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new assignments.
• Assist with various projects as assigned by direct supervisor.

QUALITY:

• Responsible for supporting and driving FVC quality standards through meeting regulatory and accrediting body requirements and the practice of Performance Improvement (PI), including use of FVC/FMS PI tools.
• Assists in the development and revision of any applicable policies and procedures for the facility as directed to ensure continuous improvement
• Initiates, documents and completes ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities including monthly reports and attend meetings as required.
• Accountable for outstanding quality of patient care, as defined by the FVC quality goals, to ensure that FVC/FMC policies and procedures are followed.
• Responsible for addressing and acting on adverse events and action thresholds in collaboration with facility management.
• Along with Facility Manager, coordinates the annual medical testing and competency testing for all facility staff
• Participates in all facility regulatory and accreditation surveys and action plans to address any deficiencies identified.
• Maintains integrity of medical records and other FVC administrative and operational records.
• Complies with all data collection and auditing activities.
• Ensures a clean, safe and sanitary environment in the vascular access facility at all times.
• Ensures all blood spills are immediately addressed according to the FVC/FMCNA Bloodborne Pathogen Control Policies.

PATIENT:

• Routinely monitors patient care staff for appropriate techniques and adherence to facility policy and procedures to assist as necessary
• Ensures medical records are accurate, complete and in compliance with FVC policies and procedures prior to discharge of the patient. Performs chart audits on a regular basis.
• Obtains necessary medical history, provides education on procedural experience and answers questions, and performs nursing assessment on the day of the procedure.
• Provides education to patients and patient's family regarding post procedure care of vascular access and acts as a resource.
• Monitors patient condition pre, intra, and post procedure, especially patients having moderate sedation and contrast media injections for possible complications or reactions.
• Identifies and communicates patient related issues to facility management, as needed.
• Completes documentation of patient information from admission through discharge in an accurate manner.
• Confirm written orders, consents and lab work are completed and documented in accordance with facility policies. This includes appropriate preparation of lab requisitions; delivery to appropriate labs; reporting and forwarding of lab results to appropriate physician.
• Maintains competency with all emergency operational procedures, and initiates CPR and emergency measures, as needed.
• Administers medications and IV moderate sedation to patients as directed per physician's orders, and in compliance with FVC, company, federal, state and local regulations.
• Assists with patient workflow by transporting patients as needed.
• Performs point - of - care laboratory testing as directed per physician's orders and in compliance with FVC, company, federal, state and local regulations.
• Performs IV insertion as per physician orders.
• Complies with HIPPA policies and standards regarding patient information and medical records.
• Performs additional tasks as designated by physician, practicing in compliance with state regulations.

PHYSICIANS:

• Provides regular and effective communication with physicians on an as needed basis.
• Attends and participates in Governing Body, assisting with meeting agenda and gathering of data/material for meetings.
• May assist facility management in working with the physicians and staff to verify all necessary instruments and equipment.
• Assists the physician in completing and reporting state required adverse event reports and reporting internally as per FVC/FMC policy and procedure.

MAINTENANCE/TECHNICAL:

• Ensures appropriate operation of facility equipment and technology, including but not limited to patient monitors, defibrillators, medical recording devices and computers.
• Supports the Facility Manager with the inspection of all facility equipment on a regular basis and reports malfunctions, and maintenance needs to ensure the safe and effective operation of all vascular access equipment.
• Ensures the inspection of temperature checks in appropriate areas.

ADMINISTRATIVE:

• Assigns and delegates tasks to staff RNs.
• Ensures adequate staffing through daily management of staff's schedule, including breaks.
• Assess daily patient needs and develop/distribute patient care assignments appropriately.
• Communicates staff related issues to the Facility Manager
• Ensures nurses' documentation is accurate and complete
• Assists with efficient utilization of medication, laboratory, inventory, supplies and equipment to achieve supply cost goals following all guidelines established in the FVC/FMS formularies.
• May assist in the development and revision of any applicable policies and procedures related to the facility to ensure continuous process improvement.
• Assists with maintaining medication supply, including inventory control, checking for expired medications, and ensuring appropriate recording of controlled substances as required by law.
• Completes usage logs for all medications with appropriate documentation, as well as, records of drug disposal in accordance with local, state, and federal law.
• Assists with maintaining facility supply inventory, including ordering and restocking of supplies as needed.
• Examines emergency equipment and supplies, including stocking of the crash cart on a regular basis.
• Completes medical records in an accurate manner in compliance with FVC policies and procedures prior to discharge of the patient. Perform chart audits on a regular basis.
• May participate in facility regulatory and accreditation surveys and action plans to address any deficiencies.
• Completes state required records for all implanted devices in an accurate and timely manner and in accordance with FVC/FMS records management guidelines.
• Participates in staff meetings, training and orientation as assigned.
• Complies with HIPPA policies and standards regarding patient information and medical records.
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of practice and state regulations.

Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Day to day work includes desk and personal computer work and interactions with patients, facility staff and physicians. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community. Travel to regional, business unit and corporate meetings may be required.
• The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels. May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.

EDUCATION:

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing (R.N.)
• Current appropriate state licensure

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Minimum of 6 years' related experience.
• Ambulatory Surgical Center/Vascular Access, Cardiac Cath Lab, or a combination of ASC, Surgical, Interventional Radiology and ICU/CCU or Emergency Department experience preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership skills to ensure the delivery of maximum quality care to all patients.
• Proficient in the use of computers and related software such as Microsoft Office is necessary.
• Certified in BLS/successfully complete course in BLS certification.
• Certified in ACLS/successfully complete course in ACLS certification
• Proficient in IV insertion.
• Proficient in cardiac rhythm recognition.
• Experience with Medical database software.

EO/AA Employer: Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Fresenius Medical Care North America maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.