Charge Nurse-Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

Role Overview

Charge Nurse – Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC).

Role Purpose

The Charge Nurse is responsible for the overall daily operations and smooth, efficient patient flow within the PACU clinical area. The role coordinates administrative duties, clinical supervision, and ensures the delivery of safe, professional patient care in alignment with SSMC's mission, vision, and values.

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Workflow Management

• Coordinate daily administrative duties, including schedules, assignments, and patient care coordination.
• Ensure smooth and efficient patient flow within the clinical area.
• Monitor and coordinate effective and efficient utilization of human resources, consumables, and equipment.
• Monitors and evaluates unit operations and services to identify problems and takes a lead role in improving systems and safe patient care.

Patient Care Delivery

• Demonstrate competence in the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care needs.
• Monitor direct and indirect patient care to achieve optimum patient outcomes.
• Administer medications according to organization policies and procedures.
• Coordinate referrals and utilize available resources for the provision of comprehensive care.
• Attend patient care rounds, communicate, and update the attending healthcare provider on changes in the patient's condition.
• Provide comprehensive clinical handover and report as required to ensure patient safety.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to provide patient and family-centered care.
• Facilitate effective communication between the patient, family, and the interdisciplinary healthcare team as required.
• Liaise with other healthcare providers as necessary to ensure appropriate and timely interventions for patients and for discharge planning.
• Collaborate with Pharmacy services to ensure the provision of medication needs of the unit.
• Participate in interdisciplinary teams and performance improvement projects.

Staffing & Supervision

• Delegate assignments and provide supervision for support staff in accordance with their level of training and the patient's acuity.
• Liaison with the Nurse Manager/Nurse Supervisor to ensure the patient care load is addressed with the appropriate staffing and skill mix in an environment that is safe for the patient and nurse.
• Ensure the nursing staff works within their capacity, experience, training, and scope of practice.
• Monitor staff performance, providing regular constructive feedback, coaching, guidance, and support to team members on the shift.
• Delegate to the nursing team in response to an emergency.

Staff Development & Mentoring

• Identify learning needs of the junior staff on the unit in conjunction with the Clinical Resource Nurse and Manager and assist with the implementation of educational activities.
• Mentor and train new staff while providing support and guidance to all staff members.
• Act as the clinical resource person in the work unit and ensure that staff delivers care professionally.
• Provide guidance and advice to the patient care team on clinical and administrative matters.

Emergency Response

• Assist with all levels of emergencies according to the organization's policies and procedures.
• Respond to all levels of emergencies according to the organization's policies and procedures.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure provision of a clean and safe working environment that minimizes risks to patients, visitors, and staff.
• Identify faulty and defective equipment and furniture and take corrective action.
• Promote and audit compliance with the organization's Infection Control policies.
• Monitor and audit compliance with organization documentation standards.
• Report Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) and Medication errors in accordance with organization policy.
• Identify, investigate, report, and implement corrective action for incidents or complaints as appropriate; complete appropriate documentation according to organization policy.
• Ensure that on a shift basis at the unit level, the monitoring, replacement, storage, and administration of Narcotic and Controlled Drugs are in accordance with Ministry of Health and DOH Narcotic Policies and Procedures.

Professional Development & Accountability

• Demonstrate evidence of mandatory and unit-specific competencies completion, accredited and non-accredited Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) Units DOH and organization requirements, and ongoing professional development in leadership and management.
• Maintain own Professional Portfolio as per DOH policy.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the unit manager.

Clinical Communication

• Communicate with the patient care team about ongoing changes in patient's plan of care and unit activity.

Qualifications & Experience

Required Experience

• Not less than 6 years of clinical experience post-qualification in an appropriate and relevant healthcare setting.
• Not less than 2 years' experience as a team leader in a particular unit.

Required Education

• Bachelor degree in Nursing, OR
• Degree in Nursing (minimum two years course duration) AND Registration as a Registered Nurse from Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, or Australia.
• Valid and current national license.
• Basic Life Support (BLS).

Desired Education & Certifications

• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) relevant to area of specialty.

Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrate the ability to interact, relate to, work with, and support the activities of a diverse multidisciplinary workforce.
• Possess knowledge of healthcare systems.
• Demonstrate competence in clinical assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Adhere to the highest standards of ethical and moral conduct and act in the best interest of the patient.

Additional Information

• Full details are available on the employer's original posting.