Number & Title: 5. Charge Nurse Responsibilities Dates:
Owner: Children’s Emergency Department Originated: 5/95
Location / File name: policy manual 2007- policy ED.doc Reviewed: 10/03, 6/07, 8/2008, 9/11 Revised: 1/97, 10/03, 1/06, 9/08, 9/11

Definitions:

Policy:
1. Registered nurses in the Children’s Emergency Department will complete the Children’s ED Charge Nurse Clinical Orientation prior to assuming charge in the department.

2. The Charge nurse will assist the physicians in expediting the flow of patients in the department.

3. The Charge nurse will assume the following duties

a. Completes charge nurse checklist on daily assignment sheet and ensures the tech checklist is completed.
b. Monitoring patient care activities by the staff and ensuring completion
c. Troubleshooting problems that may arise on the unit
d. Assuring orders are followed through by the staff
e. Informing unit management of potential problems in the unit
f. Resolving staffing issues for current and oncoming shift. Confirm staffing with MeduFlex office and HSC
g. Assist nurses with discharges, admits, and patient care as needed
h. Complete charge nurse report sheet and give shift report to oncoming charge nurse
i. Assures completion of daily patient call backs and culture board
j. Surveys unit/all treatment rooms for equipment and safety issues
k. Completes 5 leader rounding each shift.

Policy Number & Title: 5. Charge Nurse Responsibilities
Page: 1

Charge Nurse Competency-Based Orientation

Charge Nurse is responsible for schedules and coordination of the day-to-day activities of a defined team of nurses and support staff ensuring compliance to all appropriate policies, procedures and guidelines. Orientation will include one to three shifts of working with an experienced Charge Nurse. Each competency will be reviewed with orientee and initialed upon completion by preceptor.
**Attendance at Charge Nurse Workshop is required within six months of assuming Charge Nurse role.
Orientee: ______________________ ___ Date: ____________________
Preceptor: _______________________ Preceptor: ____________________

PRECEPTOR TO INITIAL EACH ENTRY WHEN COMPLETED

Staff/Assignment Competencies
Preceptor
1
Ensure adequate staffing for next shift

2
Assign patients to nurses and coordinate zone assignments

3
Sick calls and policies (documentation and time frame)

4
Resources for short staffing (HOP, unit staff)

5
Make assignment for oncoming shift (zone assignments)

6
Assign meal times, help facilitate breaks as needed

Unit Operations Competencies

1
Charge Nurse report, charge nurse report book

2
Ensure distribution and return of assigned telephones

3
Patient rounds

4
Update MD on-call board at nurse’s station

5
Admit Transfer Center (ATC) Bed Management

6
Ensure Hourly Rounding logs completed

7
Ensure White boards updated

8
Isolation guidelines and procedures

9
Glucometer controls, cleaning and