The Unit Charge Nurse is responsible for the nursing services provided to residents on a designated unit during an assigned shift. As a member of the interdisciplinary team, the position provides direct nursing care, administers medications and treatments, evaluates residents’ medical, physical, and mental status, documents care and responses to the comprehensive care plan, communicates resident conditions to physicians and families, assigns work to direct-care staff, supervises staff, and makes resident-care decisions within the nurse’s scope of practice and facility policies.
- Essential Duties
- Assume responsibility and accountability for nursing services delivered to residents on the assigned unit during the shift.
- Provide direct nursing care to residents.
- Administer medications and treatments.
- Evaluate and monitor residents’ medical, physical, and mental status.
- Accurately document resident care and responses to the comprehensive care plan.
- Keep physicians and families informed of residents’ conditions.
- Organize and distribute daily assignments to direct-care staff.
- Assign work based on staff competency and each resident’s assessment and plan of care.
- Supervise direct-care staff.
- Make decisions regarding resident care needs during the shift within the nurse’s clinical scope and facility policies and procedures.
- Communicate and collaborate with residents, staff, families, interdisciplinary team members, and other relevant parties.
- Respond appropriately to resident-care needs and emergency situations.
- Follow applicable workplace safety and bloodborne-pathogen prevention practices.
- Required Qualifications
Education
- Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
Licensure
- Current, active Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in Michigan.
- License must have no restrictions.
Preferred Experience
- One year of experience providing direct care to residents in a long-term-care setting.
- Previous experience as a Unit Charge Nurse or in a similar supervisory role.
Other Requirements
- Ability to perform the physical and functional requirements of the position.
- Ability to work in a 24-hour residential care environment, including potential shift rotation, weekends, and holidays.
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)
Knowledge
- Nursing care and resident-care practices.
- Comprehensive resident assessments and care plans.
- Medication and treatment administration.
- Evaluation of residents' medical, physical, and mental conditions.
- Staff supervision and assignment practices.
- Facility policies and procedures.
- Bloodborne-pathogen exposure prevention and workplace safety practices.
Skills
- Direct nursing care.
- Medication and treatment administration.
- Resident assessment and monitoring.
- Clinical documentation.
- Staff supervision and delegation.
- Work assignment and prioritization.
- Communication with residents, families, physicians, staff, and interdisciplinary team members.
- Decision-making regarding resident care within scope of practice.
- Emergency response.
- Effective interpersonal communication.
Abilities
- Exercise sound judgment and common sense.
- Establish and carry out priorities.
- Communicate effectively with residents, staff, families, interdisciplinary team members, and government officials.
- Work effectively with disabled and cognitively impaired residents.
- Respond quickly to emergency situations.
- Move throughout the facility and perform required physical activities, including standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, and reaching.
- Safely use appropriate equipment to assist residents weighing from approximately 80 to over 300 pounds.
- Hear resident call lights and normal speech.
- Communicate clearly with residents and staff.
- Work effectively in a setting involving resident behavioral challenges, death and dying, family concerns, regulatory oversight, and other stresses associated with long-term care.
Wage: $30-$43 per hour
