Charge Nurse

Basic Purpose of the role:

The Charge Nurse is responsible for providing professional leadership through the supervision of the patient care teams and ensuring clinical standards and quality of patient care are maintained in the ward or department during their span of duty. This includes prioritizing the care needs of patients and appropriately allocating staff, whilst maintaining an awareness of the progress of each patients care. Responsible for the implementation and delivery of age-appropriate patient care in the assigned area of practice congruent with the Mission, Vision and Values of Hospital. Ensuring Nursing staff adhere to the Professional Conde of Conduct and Scope of Practice of the Ministry of Health Kingdom of Saudia Arabia the Charge Nurse is responsible for proactively assisting the Senior Nursing Management in meeting the strategic objectives of Hospital. Ensuring the delivery of international standards of care in accordance with established International / National practices, policies and procedures.

Key responsibilities of the role:

Managerial/Administration:

• The Charge Nurse plays a crucial role in delivering day-to-day levels of excellence in service provision and development across the Wards and departments. Is responsible or all aspects of performance related to their wards and departments whilst maintaining and contributing to the broader hospital corporate strategic and operational agenda.
• Facilitates effective patient flow, utilizing bed capacity and staffing resources appropriately. Communicates with all unit(s) / departments as appropriate, to maximize efficiency and to expedite the admission, transfer and discharge process.
• Monitors and reviews staff skill mix on the ward and department and in accordance with patient dependency and acuity, uses available information to align staffing and workload, and communicates with Senior Nursing staff as required.
• Responsible to ensure that bed allocation and staff skill mix is appropriate for the patient condition.
• Contributes to developing ward / department service standards and ensure they are consistently met. Acting as a role model working directly with staff in the delivery of care (Dependent on Managerial responsibilities) they will deliver the highest clinical and operational performance standards by constantly developing and supporting ward / department-based staff.
• With the Nursing leadership, this position will be accountable for the formulation, development, implementation and monitoring of Hospital Nursing Strategy within the assigned clinical area.
• Working with the clinical practice team and nursing leadership ensure the implementation of education, and training to enable staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to undertake their role.
• Ensure that all staff have an annual appraisal and agree clear objectives against which they are managed appropriately.
• Enhance the performance, capability, and development of others through formal and informal interactions.
• Actively manage first line Human Resources activities to ensure that staff are appropriately managed.
• Promotes continuity of care that is patient centered, outcome orientated and focused.
• To lead as a role model for Nursing Professionals across Hospital promoting a culture of compassion, candor and professional accountability.
• Engaging with clinicians to achieve an efficient and effective Nursing service that meets / exceeds the needs of the Hospital. This will involve developing key interfaces with all clinicians.
• The post holder will take the initiative in actively promoting the image and reputation of Hospital and individual departments through the use of effective interpersonal and communication skill to create and maintain the image.
• Motivate, develop and empower staff, leading by example and ensuring that the highest standards of care are delivered, monitored and reported.
• Be instrumental in assisting Heads of Department, Physicians and Hospital to achieve its service development plans, performance targets and corporate strategy.
• In conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team, ensure that there are an embedded philosophy and practice of continuous improvement.
• Participates in the recruitment process when necessary.
• Provides leadership in critical thinking, conflict management and problem solving.
• Provides leadership in support of evidence-based practice, quality initiatives and promotion of a healthy workplace environment on the wards and departments.
• Maintains appropriate contact with Hospital senior nursing staff, providing timely and accurate information.

Technical:

• Experience in the management of ventilated patients either in an acute care or long-term ventilated facility.
• Collaborates with personnel from non-nursing departments / disciplines regarding issues that may negatively impact patient care; facilitate solutions as needed.
• Demonstrates advanced clinical expertise in specialty as a clinical resource for junior staff.
• Manages a patient caseload effectively in clinical setting.
• Collaborates with nursing staff and multidisciplinary teams on effective patient management.
• Delegates responsibilities within department to the appropriate licensure, education and experience of staff.
• Identifies and acquires the supply of equipment and other materials in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Sets stock levels and monitors material resource usage ensures supplies are available for clinical use.
• Uses ward resources such as dressings and clinical items in a cost effective and responsible manner.
• Liaises with supplies department regarding shortages and requirements, reports shortfalls to Chief Nursing Officer.
• Liaises with, medical staff, Head nurse and nursing staff with regard to suitability of equipment and supplies.
• Review equipment/resource needs and reports requirements to the Chief Nursing Officer.
• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to provide patient and family centered care.
• Responsible for monitoring direct and indirect patient care to achieve optimum patient outcome.
• Liaise with other health care providers as necessary to ensure appropriate and timely interventions for patients and for discharge planning.
• Provides a comprehensive clinical handover / report as required to ensure patient safety using ISBAR principles.
• Attends Patient Care rounds, communicates, and updates the attending Healthcare provider on changes in the patient’s condition.

Quality & Safety:

• Ensures safe and adequate staffing is available and maintained.
• Participates as assigned on committees, working groups and other organization activities.
• Communicates with patient care team ongoing changes in patient’s plan of care and unit activity.
• Understands and able to explain the nursing department’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Take part in Department/Hospital-wide quality improvement initiatives including implementation and evaluation of action plans and quality improvement projects.
• To work with the Executive Team in ensuring safe nursing and clinical practice and that Hospital follows evidence based best practice for infection control.
• To work closely with the Chief Nursing Officer on Quality Assurance and Regulation and the Learning and Development Team to ensure delivery of Hospital Risk Strategy and Clinical Risk Training Strategy. To lead programmers and initiatives to reduce and manage risk and harm to patients
• To undertake serious incident investigations as required and lead on the response to recommendations and lessons to be learned from investigations and external and regulatory reviews where Nursing has come under scrutiny.
• To work closely with the Head of Pharmacist to ensure that medicines’ management practice is safe, effective and evidence based.
• Uses information technology to access, transmit and produce information as necessary e.g. Incident reporting system.

Qualifications, Certifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing or Diploma in Nursing.
• Current and valid license to practice Nursing from home country of qualification required.
• Current Basic & Advanced Cardiac Life Support training certification (BLS / ACLS).
• Registered as Nurse Specialist from Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, Critical Care Nursing Certification is advantageous.
• Minimum five (5) years post qualification direct clinical experience, three (3) years’ experience as Charge Nurse.
• Demonstrable and quantifiable evidence of relevant continuing education Middle Eastern experience required.