Charge Nurse-Tower C7 - Surgical Wing

Role Overview

Charge Nurse–Tower C7, Surgical Wing at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), a healthcare facility in the United Arab Emirates.

Role Purpose

The Charge Nurse is responsible for the overall daily operations and smooth, efficient patient flow within the surgical 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 and supporting the mission, vision, and values of SSMC.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Care and Clinical Management

• 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.
• Liaise with the Nurse Manager and Nurse Supervisor to ensure patient care load is addressed with appropriate staffing and skill mix in an environment that is safe for patients and nurses.
• Ensure nursing staff work within their capacity, experience, training, and scope of practice.
• Monitor direct and indirect patient care to achieve optimum patient outcomes.
• Coordinate referrals and utilize available resources for the provision of comprehensive care.
• Administer medications according to organization policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with Pharmacy services to ensure the provision of medication needs of the unit.
• Assist with all levels of emergencies according to the organization's policies and procedures.
• Provide 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.
• Communicate with the patient care team about ongoing changes in the patient's plan of care and unit activity.
• Liaise with other healthcare providers as necessary to ensure appropriate and timely interventions for patients and for discharge planning.

Leadership and Staff Management

• Monitor staff performance and provide regular constructive feedback, coaching, guidance, and support to team members on the shift.
• Ensure provision of a clean and safe working environment that minimizes risks to patients, visitors, and staff.
• Identify learning needs of 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.
• Delegate to the nursing team in response to an emergency.
• 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.

Operations and Resource Management

• Monitor and coordinate effective and efficient utilization of human resources, consumables, and equipment.
• Identify faulty and defective equipment and furniture and take corrective action.
• Monitor and evaluate unit operations and services in order to identify problems and take a lead role in improving systems and safe patient care.
• Participate in interdisciplinary teams and performance improvement projects.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Respond to all levels of emergencies according to the organization's policies and procedures.
• 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.
• 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 Department of Health Narcotic Policies and Procedures.

Professional Development

• Demonstrate evidence of mandatory and unit-specific competencies completion, accredited and non-accredited Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) Units per Department of Health and organization requirements, and ongoing professional development in leadership and management.
• Maintain own Professional Portfolio as per Department of Health policy.

General

• Perform other related duties as assigned by the unit manager.

Qualifications & 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.
• Bachelor degree in nursing OR Degree in Nursing with a minimum two-year 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) certification.

Skills & Competencies

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) (desired).
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) relevant to area of specialty (desired).
• Knowledge of healthcare systems.
• Ability to interact, relate to, work with, and support the activities of a diverse multidisciplinary workforce.
• Clinical resource competency for the work unit.
• Delegation and supervision skills appropriate to staff level of training and patient acuity.