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Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

About the Role:

Job Summary

The Dual Charge Nurse functions as a Coordinator and serves as the clinical expert for the OR service line. He/she ensures prompt, safe and effective care of surgical patients in collaboration with the surgical team - communicating effectively with staff, surgeons, anesthesia, ancillary departments, and the leadership team. He/she anticipates the needs of the individual patient, surgeon and provides the daily direct oversight of staff assigned to the specialty procedure rooms. The Dual Charge Nurse routinely evaluates and implements systems to improve the quality of service line and acts as a liaison between physicians, vendors and multidisciplinary teams. The Dual Charge Nurse triages patients by acuity level in collaboration with surgeon and anesthesia colleagues. Makes staffing decisions based on licensure, competency, availability and patient acuity. Demonstrates timely communication of pertinent information to improve patient care. Is a professional member of PNGC providing feedback on issues being addressed at meetings. Participates as a member on PNGC councils as appropriate. Actively participates on Unit Council helping with plans to improve nursing sensitive indicators, patient experience data, and quality metrics. Promotes a positive work and accountability culture that reflects professional nursing practice.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Licensure or other certifications: Licensed to practice as a RN in Georgia. National certification in a clinical specialty within two (2) years of hire. (CNOR preferred clinical specialty).

• Educational Requirements: Associates Degree.

• Minimum Experience: Two (2) years experience in Operating Room. Must be able to precept and circulate.

• Other: Professional organization membership within three months of hire into the role.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Preferred Licensure or other certifications:

• Preferred Educational Requirements: A degree in Nursing (either BSN or MSN). BSN strongly encouraged within five (5) years.

• Preferred Experience:

• Other:

Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Effective verbal and written communication skills

• Comprehension and comfort with computers and advancing technology.

• Excellent customer service skills including active listening and providing respectful feedback

• Demonstrates initiative, self discipline, confidence and courage to lead and empower staff.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks with frequent interruption or changes to schedule while demonstrating composure and professional demeanor

• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with surgeons, anesthesiology, staff, and ancillary departments.

• * Required competency is reviewed annually and is documented on the Required Competency Document.

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

• Promotes quality and professional nursing care by holding staff accountable and assessing performance. Assists the Nurse Manager in staff performance evaluations. Actively seeks out ways to mentor staff. Assists with the monitoring of attendance and administers discipline including coaching, counseling, and verbal action. Assist with the monitoring of productivity, Decrease and or increases staffing matrix related to case load.

• Ensures equipment, supplies & resources are available for optimal patient care. Coordinates availability of specialty items for scheduled cases. Checks case carts to confirm that all necessary supplies are assembled for assigned procedures, prior to scheduled times. Actively communicates with OR scheduling to ensure cases are scheduled appropriately and adjusts as necessary. Creates, evaluates, and updates physician preference cards in a timely manner to promote safe & efficient care delivery and a positive provider/staff experience.

• Promotes fiscal responsibility. Identifies future capital equipment needs or replacement when needed. Identifies cost savings initiatives. Identifies equipment needs and monitors repairs. Implements process changes to decrease cost of repairs and to educate the staff of proper handling of equipment. Collaborates with OR Nurse Manager, physicians and staff to identify the budget needs required to support clinical demands of specialty procedures.

• Develop relationships. Participates in Perioperative Services committees and communicates challenges and initiates improvements. Liaison between physicians, anesthesiology, vendors, staff members and leadership. Actively participates on corporate committees and task force as assigned. Works collaboratively with peers across the health system. Assist the OR Nurse Manager and Strategic Sourcing with the provider's new supply and or equipment requests.

• Development of competency of personnel within service line. Provides, creates and identifies ongoing training needs for employees including orientation and inservices. Prepares and conducts professional and technical performance oriented training programs for both current and new personnel. Collaborates on routine basis with the Nurse Manager/Educator to plan, educate, and evaluate appropriate learning experiences for all levels of staff. Assist with the staff rotations through all procedures/service lines, ensuring all competencies are met. Assist Nurse Manager/Educator with annual competency and skills evaluations for all staff.

Area/Unit Specific Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

• Regulatory compliance. Works with Sterile Processing Department, Materials Management Department, Biomed, and Operating Room Equipment Technicians to ensure that routine inventories are conducted and prescribed levels of sterile and nonsterile specialty supplies and equipments are maintained. Investigates complaints and/or non compliance of policies, initiates follow up actions as warranted and communicates these issues to OR Nurse Manager. Assist the OR Nurse Manager/Educator with the creation and revisions of policy and procedures. Assist with the staff compliance in meeting regulatory and organizational requirements.

• Provide quality service. Competent in circulating all major procedures within surgical services. Demonstrates the capability to operate all specialty instruments, supplies, and equipment unique to surgical services.

• Assist in the developing of the staff assignments. Assists with assigning staff to specialty procedures based on patient acuity and staff competency level. Assist in developing staffing plan for the operating room and reviews schedule on an ongoing basis. Collaborates with OR Nurse Manager to appropriately staff procedures to promote optimal patient outcomes.

• Acts as a professional and clinical resource. Maintains confidentiality in all aspects of the Dual Charge/Coordinator Role. Role models professional behavior in communications and demeanor. Assures compliance with established department standards, objectives, performance improvement program, safety, environmental and infection control standards. Actively supports and promotes a professional practice model that encourages staff participation in the development of clinical standards that is collaborative, collegial and utilizes best practice research.
  

Physical Demands

• Weight Lifted: Up to 50 lbs, Frequently 31-65% of time

• Weight Carried: Up to 50 lbs, Frequently 31-65% of time

• Vision: Heavy, Constantly 66-100% of time

• Kneeling/Stooping/Bending: Frequently 31-65%

• Standing/Walking: Constantly 66-100%

• Pushing/Pulling: Frequently 31-65%

• Intensity of Work: Constantly 66-100%

• Job Requires: Reading, Writing, Reasoning, Talking, Keyboarding

Working at NGHS means being part of something special: a team invested in you as a person, an employee, and in helping you reach your goals.

NGHS: Opportunities start here.

Northeast Georgia Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification or status.