Bargaining Unit: CNA - Registered Nurses Unit

The Health Services Department of Contra Costa County is currently recruiting individuals interested in Charge Nurse employment opportunities. Most assignments are located at the Contra Costa County Regional Medical Center, Martinez, California. Other assignments are in ambulatory care clinics and public health centers at various locations throughout the County and at the Detention Facilities in Central and West County.

Charge Nurses are responsible for maintaining and advancing quality patient care standards on an assigned unit or in a clinic. They serve as a resource for subordinate nursing staff on clinical issues and provide daily direction while managing their own patient assignments.

Typical Tasks

• Serves in a lead capacity during an assigned shift in a hospital unit, health center or detention facility
• Assesses patient needs, unit resources and activity level and delegates patient care assignment based on competency of subordinate nursing staff
• Monitors appropriate completion of patient care documentation
• Acts as a patient advocate
• Assesses performance of subordinate staff
• Investigates and directs patient care issues to appropriate persons for follow-up
• Provides input to the nurse manager on staffing needs, policies and procedures
• Prepares staffing schedules on hospital units, prepares patient acuity information for the next shift and for reporting to the nursing office
• Assists in educational needs, assessment of subordinate staff and recommends training
• Participates in the Quality Management Programs and other committees as required
• Enforces safety measures and takes corrective action as necessary
• Provides direct patient care as needed
• Serves as a resource to subordinate nursing staff for problem solving and decision making
• Conducts meetings and disseminates information under direction of Nurse Program Manager
• Provide and promote excellence in customer service for both internal and external customers

Minimum Qualifications

• License Required: Candidates must possess and maintain throughout the duration of employment: a current, valid and unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse in the State of California and a valid Basic Life Support certification (BLS) issued by the American Heart Association or CPR certification issued by the American Red Cross.
• Special Requirements: As a condition of employment all applicants: When assigned to Detention Facilities, must possess and maintain a Sheriff's Department security clearance.

Experience:

• Acute Care and Specialty Clinics: Three (3) years of full-time or its equivalent experience performing the duties of a Registered Nurse in an acute care hospital, one (1) year of which must have been in the specialty area.
• Ambulatory Care Clinics: Three (3) years of full-time experience or its equivalent performing the duties of a Registered Nurse in a hospital, clinic, or medical facility for family practice clinic appointments.
• Qualifications for Restricted Positions: Reference classification description for a list of specific qualifications required for specialty assignments