Summary

The Charge Nurse provides safe and effective nursing care in the assigned area(s) in a manner consistent with the philosophy and objectives of the Hospital and within the framework of established policies and procedures of the Nursing Department. As a key team member in the clinical area, the Charge Nurse promotes a climate of effective performance and learning through role modeling, willingness to learn and teach, and availability to patients and staff. The Charge Nurse organizes, manages and coordinates unit nursing services on assigned shift as delegated by the Nursing Administration. The Charge Nurse is designed to improve communication, limit inconsistencies on the units, and provide a safe and less stressful work environment. The Charge Nurse will help everyone work as a team.

Job description

Position Summary

The Charge Nurse provides safe and effective nursing care in the assigned area(s) in a manner consistent with the philosophy and objectives of the Hospital and within the framework of established policies and procedures of the Nursing Department. As a key team member in the clinical area, the Charge Nurse promotes a climate of effective performance and learning through role modeling, willingness to learn and teach, and availability to patients and staff. The Charge Nurse organizes, manages and coordinates unit nursing services on assigned shift as delegated by the Nursing Administration. The Charge Nurse is designed to improve communication, limit inconsistencies on the units, and provide a safe and less stressful work environment. The Charge Nurse will help everyone work as a team.

Essential Job Functions

Assessment: Document patient information and nursing care in the provision of nursing services.
Document and reassess any significant changes in the patient's condition in compliance with facility policy.
Report any signs or symptoms of infection in patients to the Infection Control Nurse.
Verify the accuracy of patient records.
Intervention: Employ principles of communication, interviewing techniques, and problem solving and crisis intervention when performing psychotherapeutic interventions.
Intervention is based on knowledge of psychiatric and medical nursing procedures, as well as the plan of care.
Accurately administer medication to patients.
Transcribe and carry out physician’s/licensed practitioner’s treatment orders accurately.
Utilize appropriate interventions in psychiatric and medical emergencies.
Treatment Planning: Prioritize and formulate a plan of care based on patient assessment and according to policy.
Participate in the development of an interdisciplinary treatment plan with specific and measurable goals, objectives and interventions defining actions unique to each patient's needs.
Update and revise the plan as goals/objectives are met or when the patient's condition changes.
Document both the nursing interventions on the treatment plan and the patient’s response to the intervention.
Additional Standards: Adhere to facility, department, corporate, personnel and standard policies and procedures.
Attend all mandatory facility in-services and staff development activities as scheduled.
Adhere to facility standards concerning conduct, dress, attendance and punctuality.
Support facility-wide quality/performance improvement goals and objectives.
Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient information.
Registered nurses provide supervision to unlicensed staff (mental health technicians and unit clerks).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of psychiatric and medical nursing procedures is essential.
Knowledge of all code procedures.
Knowledge of Mental Health Laws and Child Abuse/Neglect/Maltreatment laws, and the DHS provider agreement as applicable.
Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.
Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co-workers.
Ability to adhere to safety policies and procedures.
Ability to use good judgment and to maintain confidentiality of information.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited program of professional nursing required
Bachelor's Degree preferred
A minimum of three (3) years experience in a psychiatric health-care facility, preferred
Currently licensed to practice by the California State Board of Nursing
CPR certification
Successful completion of Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training
Must have ability to communicate effectively
Must be able to demonstrate leadership ability
Must be able to perform concentrated and/or complex mental activity with frequent involvement in complex and/or highly technical situations
Must be able to work successfully under highly stressful conditions
Must be able to make sound, independent judgments based on scientific and/or ethical principles
Must be able to comprehend and perform oral and written instructions and procedures
Must be able to collaborate with other multidisciplinary team members in an appropriate fashion
Must be capable of adapting to varying workloads and work assignments on a constant basis
Must have effective comprehensive reading skills, strong communication skills, written and verbal
Must have math skills to enable calculation of drug dosages and infusion rates
A strong knowledge of The Joint Commission, HCFA, OSHA regulations, and patient rights standards and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations governing mental health care facilities

Company overview

Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) is one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, operating as a Fortune 300 corporation headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1979, UHS has grown into a major healthcare enterprise with approximately 99,000 employees and annual revenues exceeding $14 billion. The company operates through its subsidiaries, managing 29 acute care hospitals, 331 behavioral health facilities, and 60 outpatient and other facilities across 39 U.S. states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom. UHS provides comprehensive healthcare services including acute care, behavioral health treatment, cancer centers, and ambulatory surgical centers. The company's strategy focuses on building or acquiring high-quality hospitals in rapidly growing markets and investing in advanced medical equipment and skilled personnel to become the leading healthcare provider in each community it serves. UHS is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: UHS) and has established a strong reputation for delivering compassionate, high-quality care while maintaining financial stability and operational excellence.