RN Charge Nurse - Emergency Dept. - Lompoc Valley Medical Center

Salary Range: $47.77 - $65.84

Pay rates are determined based on experience and internal equity.

Position Summary:

• Shares clinical knowledge and insight about the department with Director of Nursing/designee in the absence of an Emergency Department Nursing Director or Emergency Department Nurse Manager. Plans, coordinates and implements patient care for emergency patients.
• Demonstrates quality and effectiveness in work habits and clinical practice.
• Remains flexible to changing systems.
• Supports other nursing units by floating when needed after appropriate orientation.
• Treats patients, families, visitors, peers and physicians with consideration and respect.
• Works well under stress or with tight deadlines.
• Communicates concerns appropriately using the established chain of command.

District Responsibility

• Supports the District Mission, Vision and Values Statements.
• Demonstrate Respect, Professionalism and Courtesy to all patients, visitors, other providers and coworkers, as delineated in the LVMC “Commitment to Care”.
• Constantly use C-I-CARE principles when communicating with others.
• Maintains all principles of confidentiality according to District policy and as required by State and Federal agencies.
• Follows guidelines and practices identified in the Employee Handbook.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement activities within the unit and within the Nursing Department.
• Completes hospital-wide skills criteria annually.
• Complies with annual PPD testing.
• Maintains responsibility for own professional development.

Position Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provides support and guidance for staff but is not responsible for discipline or evaluations.
• Works with Director of Nursing/designee providing expertise about the functioning of the units to problem solve as needed.
• Evaluates staff in orientation and makes recommendations of competence and progress.
• Works with staff and Staffing Coordinator to complete schedules.
• Attends Emergency Department Subcommittee meetings to provide nursing input.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the care of emergency department patients after appropriate orientation to each area.
• Performs departmental audits as assigned by the Department Director. Reviews and analyzes data collected monthly and reports any non-compliance to the Department Director.
• Maintains ability to perform competencies within each area as assigned and completes renewal of competencies annually.
• Demonstrates the knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
• Is able to interpret data about the patient’s status to identify each patient’s age specific needs and to provide the care needed appropriate to the patient’s age group.
• Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the organization.

Essential Functions:

• The ability to be able to walk or stand for long periods of time.
• The ability to transfer patients.
• Maintains nursing license following the Scope of Practice for Registered Nursing.
• Demonstrates the ability to function as a team member within the unit and the department.
• Demonstrates the ability to have positive personal interactions with staff, patients, visitors and physicians.
• Accepts appropriate supervision.

Position Qualifications:

• Education: Current California license as an RN.
• Experience: At least 2 years previous experience with the care of emergency patients in all areas with demonstrated leadership abilities.
• Certifications: BLS required from the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC) prior to hire date. ACLS & PALS from AHA OR ARC required prior to end of orientation period or 120 days from hire date, whichever is sooner.
• Skills/Ability: Current knowledge of the care of the emergency patient within a reasonable time after hire. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Computer skills preferred. Exhibits the ability to organize work assignments and follow through with accuracy. Exercises good judgment, demonstrates initiative, emotional stability, tact and poise.
• LVMC reserves the right to modify the minimum requirements depending on the needs of the organization.

PI239670891