Charge Nurse-Tower C6 - Surgical Wing

Role Overview

Charge Nurse – Tower C6, Surgical Wing at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Role Purpose

The Charge Nurse is responsible for the overall daily operations and smooth, efficient patient flow within the clinical area. The role coordinates daily administrative duties including schedules, assignments and patient care, while adhering to the highest standards of ethical and moral conduct, acting in the best interest of the patient, and fully supporting the mission, vision, and values of SSMC.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Care Assessment and Planning

• Demonstrate competence in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care needs
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to provide patient and family-centered care
• Coordinate referrals and utilize available resources for the provision of comprehensive care
• Administer medications according to organization policies and procedures
• Ensure provision of comprehensive clinical handover and report as required to ensure patient safety
• Attend patient care rounds, communicate and update the attending healthcare provider on changes in the patient's condition
• Liaise with other healthcare providers as necessary to ensure appropriate and timely interventions for patients and for discharge planning

Staffing and Resource Management

• Liaison with the Nurse Manager and 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 and coordinate effective and efficient utilization of human resources, consumables and equipment
• Delegate assignments to the nursing team in response to an emergency and provide supervision for the support staff in accordance with their level of training and the patient's acuity
• Monitor staff performance, providing regular constructive feedback, coaching, guidance and support to team members on the shift

Clinical Monitoring and Quality Assurance

• Monitor and evaluate direct and indirect patient care to achieve an optimum patient outcome
• Monitor and evaluate unit operations and services in order to identify problems and take a lead role in improving systems and safe patient care
• Monitor clinical care to ensure clinical standards are met; identify variances and initiate corrective measures as required
• 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

Emergency Response and Safety

• 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
• 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

Communication and Collaboration

• Provide guidance and advice to the patient care team on clinical and administrative matters
• Facilitate effective communication between the patient, family and the interdisciplinary healthcare team as required
• Communicate with the patient care team about ongoing changes in the patient's plan of care and unit activity
• Participate in interdisciplinary teams and performance improvement projects
• Collaborate with Pharmacy services to ensure the provision of medication needs of the unit

Compliance and Incident Management

• 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
• Identify, investigate, report and implement corrective action for incidents or complaints as appropriate; complete appropriate documentation according to organization policy

Staff Development and Training

• 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

Professional Development

• 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

General Duties

• Perform other related duties as assigned by the unit manager

Qualifications & Experience

• Not less than 6 years 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
• Bachelor degree in Nursing or Degree in Nursing with minimum two (2) years course duration
• Registration as a Registered Nurse from Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, or Australia
• Valid and current national license
• BLS (Basic Life Support)

Skills & Competencies

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) relevant to area of specialty (desired)
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) relevant to area of specialty (desired)
• Knowledge of healthcare systems
• Ability to interact, relate to and work with a diverse multidisciplinary workforce
• Clinical resource expertise in work unit
• Delegation and supervision capability
• Performance monitoring and feedback delivery
• Emergency response management
• Infection control and compliance auditing
• Documentation standards compliance
• Medication and narcotic management
• Staff mentoring and training
• Interdisciplinary collaboration

Additional Information

• The Charge Nurse acts as the clinical resource person in their work unit and ensures that staff delivers care professionally
• The role carries accountability for maintaining evidence of mandatory and unit-specific competencies, Continuing Nursing Education requirements, and ongoing professional development in leadership and management