Charge Nurse (RN) - NICU - Neonatal Intensive Care in Riverside, CA, Kaiser Permanente (Updated: 2024-06-27) (2024)

Job Summary:

Functions as a Lead of the healthcare team, coordinates departmental operations that ensure quality patient care in a safe, healing environment that is patient and family centered. Demonstrates responsibility and accountability for own professional practice. Has appropriate clinical skills to be an expert resource. Is available and supportive to employees and understands priorities/needs of the department. Is a staff role model for professional nursing practice. May recommend to management in efficient resource allocation by assuring appropriate patient assignments, staffing, and scheduling. Demonstrates performance consistent with the strategic plan of the organization and the KP nursing mission and values.

Essential Responsibilities:

The Charge Registered Nurse demonstrates proficiency by exhibiting the following skills, competencies, and behaviors:

Leadership:


  • Directs reviews, assigns and organizes the work of at least three (3) or more employees, of which at least one (1) must be another Registered Nurse.

  • Applies the KP Nursing mission, vision, values and behaviors in daily practice. Understands needs and sets priorities for the department.

  • Provides professional leadership and direction of department personnel in order to maintain efficient delivery of effective patient care.

  • Coordinates departmental operations and delegates tasks appropriately. Is an excellent staff role model for professional nursing practice (e.g. RN/MD Collaborating for Outcomes, Just Culture, Quality, Service, Safety). Supports and enhances the leadership skills of the staff RNs, LVNs and UAs/CNAs (and other ancillary staff as appropriate).

  • Upholds compliance with Kaiser Permanentes Policies and Procedures, Principles of Responsibilities, applicable state and federal laws and regulations, and accreditation and licensure requirements.

  • Upholds the standards of the California Nurse Practice Act, American Nurses Association

  • (ANA) Standards of Nursing Practice, and ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses.

  • Champions new ideas; Actively collaborates with others through the change process.

  • Acts as a resource, preceptor and mentor to new employees, registry, students, and other team members in department specific operations and patient care activities.

  • Collaborates with or refers to manager/clinical nurse specialist/educator any outstanding issues or concerns on the unit. Demonstrates ability to identify and resolve problems in collaboration with work team and with other departments.

  • Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, policies, procedures, and standards of practice.

  • Participates in activities related to patient flow, including admission and discharge processes. Facilitates inter-professional/interdisciplinary communication and collaboration.

Nursing Process:


  • Serves as a resource for clinical concerns, scope of practice and applicable state and federal regulations as well as operational concerns of providers and staff. Possesses experience and skills to be a resource for providers, RNs, LVNs, USs/CNAs, (and other ancillary staff as appropriate).

  • Demonstrates flexibility in work schedule to meet the department demands of the day; facilitates and relieves staff breaks.

  • Actively involved in assigning, orienting, and precepting and coaching staff as needed.

Documentation:


  • Conducts audits and ensures that documentation reflects thorough assessments, incorporates physical and psychosocial findings, diagnostic tests, learning needs, barriers, multidisciplinary education plans and age appropriate care.

Clinical Outcomes:


  • Participates/leads various aspects of department operations, staff competencies, department committees, Unit Based Teams (UBTs), new projects, quality efforts, and educational programs.

  • Demonstrates knowledge of patients specific conditions commonly seen in the department and care required. Interfaces with leadership, peers, physicians, other healthcare providers, and support staff regarding performance, as necessary.

  • Actively participates, champions and motivates other staff in quality improvement in patient care, workflow, and improvement in clinical initiatives and working conditions of the department. Provides input on employees performance evaluations through daily observation and monitoring of performance.

Workplace Safety:


  • Adjusts staffing needs of the department to assure quality patient care, patient and staff safety, efficiency, productivity and working conditions of provider and staff. Actively models Labor-Management Partnership (LMP) Workplace Safety principles and practices.

Patient Care Experience/Customer Service:


  • Acts as a role model for staff regarding providing a patient care experience that exceeds members expectations.

  • Ensures timely and appropriate management of patients.

  • Coordinates smooth transition for patients across the care continuum. Participates in daily leadership rounds, documents rounding activities on unit rounding logs (as appropriate.). Assures hourly rounds are conducted by staff. Where appropriate, assures hourly rounds are documented according to unit/facility policy or guidelines.

Team Commitment:


  • Ensures support of the collaborative LMP environment through unit based teams (UBTs). Identifies and supports staff professional/clinical development needs (i.e. certification, presentations, reward/recognition).

  • Motivates staff to attain their fullest potential in improving performance, attendance, access, service and quality outcomes. Lead/facilitate daily/shift multidisciplinary huddles. Assures huddle messages are consistently communicated. Confronts difficult or conflict situations constructively and seeks appropriate assistance.

Fiscal Responsibility:


  • Participates in resource allocation (assignments, scheduling, staffing, equipment/supplies management). Collaborates and assists with leadership, physicians, and peers in staffing, workflow and throughput to promote quality patient care, patient and staff safety, efficiency, productivity and working conditions of providers and staff.

Professional Development:


  • Attends Charge Nurse Educational programs. Takes responsibility for professional growth and development.

Basic Qualifications:
Experience


  • 1-year recent (within the last 3 years) full-time equivalent experience in Level III NICU or successful completion of KP Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) course or approved equivalent within prior 12 months.

Education
License, Certification, Registration


  • Registered Nurse License (California)



  • Neonatal Resuscitation Program



  • Basic Life Support

Additional Requirements:


  • May be expected to cross train to at least 1 other Perinatal area.

Preferred Qualifications:


Notes:


  • Rotating weekends.

  • If twelve (12) hour option chosen, shift will be 7:00 pm-7:30 am, back up 8 hour shift will be 11:00 pm to 7:30 am.




Charge Nurse (RN) - NICU - Neonatal Intensive Care in Riverside, CA, Kaiser Permanente (Updated: 2024-06-27) (2024)

FAQs

What is a charge nurse in the NICU? ›

In the NICU, a registered nurse will have special training in caring for sick newborn babies. Charge Nurse. A nurse who makes sure the NICU runs well. The charge nurse is responsible for staffing in the NICU and coordinating the admission or discharge of babies, as well as checks in with families during their stay.

What is the highest level of NICU nurse? ›

What is a Level IV NICU? Level IV (four) NICUs offer the highest level of medical care for newborns and premature infants available. These facilities are equipped to care for the most complex neonatal conditions and the sickest and smallest newborns, no matter their gestational age at birth.

What level NICU is CPMC? ›

We offer natural childbirth coaching, professional lactation consultants and a Level III NICU for newborns who need medical care.

What is the difference between neonatal intensive care unit and NICU? ›

One of the biggest distinctions between a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is that a PICU cares for infants and children up to age 17 (pediatric = children). A NICU (neonatal = newborn infants) specializes solely in the treatment of newborns who need a little more TLC.

Is a charge nurse above an RN? ›

A charge nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who leads a nursing unit during a shift or specific period. Charge nurses undergo additional training to gain deeper leadership abilities, which they use alongside strong clinical and human skills while performing their managerial responsibilities.

What is the highest paid NICU nurse? ›

Nicu Rn Salary. $100,000 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $151,000 is the 75th percentile.

How much does a NICU nurse make in California? ›

Nicu Rn Salary in California
Annual SalaryMonthly Pay
Top Earners$175,175$14,597
75th Percentile$149,000$12,416
Average$114,707$9,558
25th Percentile$98,700$8,225

What are the 3 levels of NICU? ›

​​​​​​Levels of Neonatal Care
  • Level I: Well newborn nursery.
  • Level II: Special care nursery.
  • Level III: Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
  • Level IV: Regional neonatal intensive-care unit (regional NICU)

What is the lowest salary for a NICU nurse? ›

As of Jul 7, 2024, the average weekly pay for a Nicu Nurse in the United States is $2,449 a week. While ZipRecruiter is seeing weekly wages as high as $3,779 and as low as $625, the majority of Nicu Nurse wages currently range between $1,865 (25th percentile) to $2,980 (75th percentile) across the United States.

Are Sutter and CPMC the same? ›

CPMC is affiliated with Sutter Health, a not-for-profit parent of not-for-profit and for-profit companies that together form an integrated healthcare system located in Northern California. The system is committed to health equity, community partnerships and innovative, high-quality patient care.

What is the lowest level of NICU? ›

Level I: Well-Baby Nursery or Couplet Care

If your pregnancy and delivery were pretty uncomplicated and your baby appears well at birth, then your baby will stay within this type of care without needing any specialized care. Minor newborn issues can often be addressed here such as low blood sugars or jaundice.

What is Level 1 care in the NICU? ›

Level I: a hospital nursery organized with the personnel and equipment to perform neonatal resuscitation, evaluate and provide postnatal care of healthy newborn infants, provide care for infants born at 35 to 37 weeks' gestation who remain physiologically stable, and stabilize ill newborn infants or infants born at ...

What is the age limit for NICU? ›

Newborns from birth through 28 days are admitted to the NICU. Some NICUs care for babies up to 2 months old. Older infants from 1-12 months requiring intensive care usually go to the PICU. Children over 12 months through age 18 are cared for in the PICU.

What are NICU nurses called? ›

Level III neonatal nurses work in the neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU. Neonatal nurses at this level care for very sick newborns, usually with congenital problems or who are very premature. They may need incubators, ventilators, surgery, and other supporting equipment.

What level NICU is highest? ›

Level 4 is the highest level of NICU - providing experience caring for the most complex and critically ill newborns.

What is the role of a charge nurse? ›

What Is a Charge Nurse? Charge nurses oversee the operations of their specific nursing unit during a set period while working alongside the team. The primary role of a charge nurse is to ensure that all nursing functions within the department run smoothly and efficiently.

What is the difference between a charge nurse and a nurse in charge? ›

Charge nurses are generally responsible for the activities within their unit for the duration of their shift. A nurse manager may be responsible for all activities at one or more locations and for all shifts within a 24-hour cycle.

Do charge nurses take patients? ›

They are responsible for managing the unit, making patient assignments, and ensuring quality patient care. Our aim of this project is to explore the benefits and challenges of charge nurses having patients and to present these findings to the staff and director of our chosen unit.

What is the difference between head nurse and charge nurse? ›

Nurse managers typically have only limited contact with patients. Employee supervision — Charge nurses supervise a department's nurses during a work shift. Nurse managers' supervisory role is broader, encompassing a wider array of administrative responsibilities for nurses as well as support staff who provide care.

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