RN – Charge Nurse

Please note:  This is not a job listing, this is a job description. For current opportunities click here.

POSITION: RN – Charge Nurse
DEPARTMENT: Nursing
RESPONSIBLE TO: Director of Care

The RN-Charge Nurse provides front-line leadership to the nursing and support staff and ensures that the mission, vision and values, expected behaviors, leadership philosophy, ethics, safety, quality and inter-professional collaboration are integrated within the Home. The RN-Charge Nurse is responsible to the Director of Care for the overall quality improvement of resident care and is responsible for the planning, directing and coordinating of resident care and for monitoring the quality outcomes as they relate to the care provided by staff.

The RN-Charge Nurse is accountable and responsible to model the way, to demonstrate excellence in practice and to provide staff with assistance, support and confidence in the delivery of holistic, person-centered care. They must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills to ensure effective communication with all members of the care team, including the resident and family.

Key Responsibilities

Implicit in this role is the responsibility for managing and participating in the day-to-day provision of quality care for all residents. The RN-Charge Nurse is responsible to utilize leadership and management skills to identify and solve problem. In supporting our vision of an alive and vibrant community built on meaningful relationships that celebrates and encourages a uniqueness of spirit and character the RN-Charge Nurse is responsible for building and developing, for supporting and encouraging the development and continuance of a cohesive, responsive, cooperative care team that maintains a continual focus on a holistic approach to living. As an employee of the RK Mac Donald Nursing Home the RN-Charge Nurse has a responsibility to be involved in providing a stimulating environment for the residents. In keeping with our Mission, Vision and Values and our philosophy of resident centered care, the RN-Charge Nurse, as a partner in the provision of care and support of our Residents, represents the home in a positive, professional, efficient and confidential manner.

1. Leadership: accountable to inspire staff to engage with our vision and to coach and build a team that it is more effective at achieving the vision.

• Knowledgeable of and monitors compliance with the provincial LTC Facility program Requirements, the Home’s philosophy of care, accreditation standards, policies & procedures
• Responsible for the efficient and effective day to day functioning of the unit
• Actively involved in the concerns process, providing resolution to concerns as close to the issue as possible
• Acts as a Role Model by creating an atmosphere that empowers staff to contribute to the delivery of high quality care
• Provides a visible, identifiable presence that invites feedback and discussion
• Contributes to the delivery of organizational objectives
• Facilitates change to overcome problems and/or weaknesses identified through observation, feedback or audits as well as in response to changes in policy/procedure
• Acts as a professional role model/mentor and resource person including the orientation of all new staff
• Monitors skills and competencies of all staff and ensures that the skills are kept current taking appropriate proactive or corrective action when required
• Demonstrates and promotes excellent communication and interpersonal relationships with staff, residents, families and other care providers
• Identifies learning needs and liaisons with Education Coordinator to develop a plan to meet these needs
• Supports staff as they advocate for their residents and families
• Takes initiative, identifies opportunities for improvement and finds innovative ways to change and grow
• Recognizes and shows appreciation for the contribution of others
• Supports staff and manages the first level of discussion with staff difficulties and undesirable behaviors
• Manages conflict on the unit
• Enhancing staff satisfaction by creating a challenging and positive work environment
• Performs duties of Supervising RN when required

2. Clinical Care Coordination and Supervision: accountable for the delivery of safe and competent, resident focused care

• To be familiar with the resident population in order to make safe and appropriate decisions about assignments
• To assign and reassign resident care appropriately
• Responsible for ensuring standards of care and practice are achieved
• Provides safe and competent direct clinical care when required
• Performs nursing assessments to support/direct care delivered by LPN/CCA staff
• Performs nursing treatments as required
• Active in the bi-annual medication review
• Develops and maintains a current plan of care that is resident centered and focuses on achievable goals and outcomes
• Provides leadership, education, direction and coordination to staff  ensuring safe & effective clinical practices are occurring
• Ensures completion of monthly audits and safety inspections are complete
• Enhances the resident experience by performing rounds and building relationships
• Develops and participates in CQI initiatives for unit and facility
• Acts as a resource for staff, physicians, family, residents
• Leads the admission process ensuring that the focus of care is holistic and person rather than medically centered

3. Human Resources: Accountable to maximize employee performance in service to the Mission, Vision & Values of the Home and in keeping with the strategic plan.

• Monitors and evaluates performance of staff
• Conducts annual performance reviews with all staff
• Assists each staff person in development goals and action plans specific to their performance review and learning needs
• Meets with staff quarterly to review progress on goals & assists in revising plan as required
• Supports staff so that expectations can be met
• Provide guidance and direction to staff
• Mentors staff in their role
• Acts as a coach to enhance or modify behaviors
• Acts as a Role Model for constructive behaviors such as affiliative, self-actualization, humanistic-encouraging and achievement oriented attitudes
• Conducts staff meetings at least monthly, preferably bi-weekly
• Assists education Coordinator in the planning of clinical orientation of new staff
• Monitors the orientation and progress of new staff
• Ensures new staff are assigned a ‘buddy’ for the probationary period of employment
• Ensures that probationary performance reviews are conducted

4. Family Relations: Accountable for the recognition and inclusion of family as care givers. Responsible for establishing and maintaining compassionate and respectful relationships with family members and recognizing the critical role they continue to play in the lives of those entrusted in our care.

• Maintain open and respectful lines of communication
• Ensures family is invited and welcomed as a partner in care
• Welcomes and encourages family feedback
• Monitors and responds to email on a daily basis
• Investigates and responds to feedback as per policy
• Encourages involvement in Family Council
• Ensures that all staff foster positive service relationships with residents and their families in their day to day work
• Ensures on-going communication with family to inform them of issues, changes etc.

5. Continuous Quality Improvement & Occupational Health and Safety

• Investigates incident reports
• Participates in monthly safety checks
• Participates in implementing and evaluating quality initiatives
• Actively involved in Committees as required by DOC
• Ensures safe work practices are adhered to at all times
• Ensures staff adhere to infection control practices

Educational Qualifications

1. RN, BScN preferred
2. Current registration with CRNNS
3. Certificate in gerontology nursing preferred
4. Current (or willingness to obtain) CPR, WHIMIS ,CPI

Experience Required

1. Five years nursing experience in Geriatric Nursing
2. Previous supervisory experience an asset

Knowledge & Skills Required

1. Demonstrated flexibility
2. Demonstrated leadership abilities
3. Evidence of the ability to motivate others
4. Strong resident focus and ability to build relationships
5. Commitment to supporting a culture that that supports and lives our mission, vision & values
6. Demonstrated Self Confidence duty to protect well-being of residents not to please co-workers
7. Demonstrated Critical thinking & problem solving skills
8. Demonstrated commitment to self-learning and continuous professional education
9. Effective and compassionate communication & interpersonal skills
10. Conflict resolution

Competencies

Competence means the ability to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills and judgement required to practice safely and ethically in a designated role and practice setting.

1. Ongoing professional development and competence is required
2. Maintains an awareness of current trends and issues in gerontology nursing care
3. Identifies, achieves and maintains own professional development needs