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HEAD NURSE JOB DESCRIPTION HEAD NURSE Job Duties Head nurses direct and supervise nursing staff

f in provision of nursing care and ensure the availability of support services which facilitate this care. The first-line nurse administrator serves as a resource to staff , interpreting philosophy, goals, standards, policies and procedures. The head nurse participates in varying degrees in policy formation and decision making with other member of nursing administration. These administrators are the vital link between the nursing management and the staff that delivers care to the patient. Head nurses are responsible for delivering care that is therapeutically effective and safe as well as cost-effective. They accomplish this by effective utilization of resources through the administrative process. Usually, a head nurse is responsible for a nursing unit. Activities that received the most votes by head nurses as most representative of their responsibilities were identified in one survey. Supervises and coordinates all patient care on the unit, including communication with physician. Assumes 24-hour responsibility of the unit. Confronts and resolves conflicts involving staff, physician, patients, and personnel. Schedules daily activities of the unit, including assignment planning, scheduled meal and break time, and conferences. Provides feedback to each employee on a planned basis, including a yearly observation. Meets regularly with nursing administration f0r feedback and problem solving. Aids in the implementation of new policies and procedures. Implements, evaluates, and revises plans to meet the unit goals. Head nurses can work in any variety of medical facilities such as hospitals, treatment centers or nursing homes. In general, they work in larger facilities where coordination of nursing teams is needed. Head nurses carry out the same functions as any other nurse, but they are in a managerial position and often are responsible for whole sections of facilities as well as communication with upper management and doctors. Management Head nurses are in charge of teams of nurses or divisions of health care facilities. For example, a head nurse might be in charge of all nursing in the emergency room. Head nurses are responsible for the performance of their teams, meaning they have to monitor the nurses who work under them and ensure they are fulfilling all their job requirements. The head nurse must coordinate nursing care by allocating resources where they are needed, whether in the form of nurses, medication, doctors or equipment. Head nurses need to make sure all the patients for whom they are responsible have needs met and receive appropriate attention. Administrative Head nurses are in charge of organizing and carrying out a variety of administrative work. They have to organize, compile and store all the notes on patients taken by their nursing team. Often, they need to provide doctors with the relevant paperwork and information on the patients they are treating. Head nurses can also help refer patients files to billing and payment departments, or process payment information on their own. Computer proficiency is often needed, along with a vast understanding of medical terminology to apply proper shorthand or file papers correctly. Administrative work also includes keeping records on facility resources. Communication Head nurses need to keep in touch and relay information to a variety of parties. First, they issue reports to upper management of the facility. They also need to communicate and give specific

instructions to specialty doctors when they are needed. Head nurses typically have a good deal of contact with outside parties. For example, they might need to make contact with other facilities if they don't have enough room for new admissions, or if patients need specialized care. They are often in charge of ordering products from suppliers. Head nurses also spend time communicating with patients and their families about treatment options. Hiring and Training Head nurses are usually also in charge of hiring, screening potential employees, looking over resumes, conducting interviews and making hiring decisions. After this, they are in charge of training the new hires. Head nurses can order or suggest continuing education or remedial training and classes for their staff when needed. Sometimes they give talks and teach classes within the facility or elsewhere. Head nurses are in charge of maintaining working relationships with their staffs, which includes scheduling, pay and conflict resolution where necessary. Qualifications As head nurse you would be expected to have at least a bachelor's degree in nursing. It is possible to become a staff nurse with an associate's degree, but the level of seniority of head nurse means that employers tend to demand more advanced qualifications. All nurses have to pass the licensing examination run by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Skills You must display a sound understanding of nursing practice, as you are responsible for the care of all patients in your unit. A head nurse also requires a high level of people skills, as she interacts frequently with doctors, hospital managers, other nurses, patients and patients' families. All patients must be treated with kindness and respect, and the head nurse must be able to role-model these qualities at all times. In addition, the job includes a number of administrative duties and a lot of reporting and paperwork. The head nurse should be well organized and a clear communicator. Responsibilities The head nurse is responsible for supervising the work of the nurses on her team and for ensuring that they have the appropriate training and direction. She works with doctors to prepare and follow individual care plans for each patient, and updates the doctors regularly on progress and any changes in patients' conditions. The head nurse also cares for patients directly herself, builds relationships with them and ensures that they are well cared for. Experience The traditional route to becoming a head nurse is after at least five years of experience as a staff nurse. If you are a staff nurse who would like to develop your nursing career and become head nurse, it is advisable to gain as much varied experience as possible. Accept shifts in different departments and perhaps apply to become a charge nurse.

CHIEF NURSE

Organizes and administers the department of nursing. Establishes objectives for the department of nursing and the organizational structure for achieving these of objectives. Interprets and puts into effect administrative policies established by the governing authority. Assists in preparing and administering budget for the department. Selects and recommends appointment of nursing staff. Directs and delegates management of professional and ancillary nursing personnel. Plans and conducts conferences and discussions with administrative and professional nursing staff to encourage participation in formulating departmental policies and procedures, promote initiative, solve problems, and interpret new policies and procedures. Coordinates activities of various nursing units, promoting and maintaining harmonious relationships among nursing personnel and with medical staff. Analyzes and evaluates nursing related services rendered to improve quality of patient care and plan better utilization of staff time and activities. Participates in community educational health programs.

The Chief Nurse must be a nurse who: Understands both patient care and nurses; has demonstrated stature in the nursing profession; has had some influence in the nursing field; has kept abreast of changes in the profession. Plans for the department; establishes goals and directions for the department and helps the hospital establish its own goals; ensures that nursing has proper influence on the total institutional goals and that nursing goals and directions complement and support the total. Has integrity and can be relied on to speak frankly and not waste time playing games; is respected for his or her opinions. Is a leader who can measure, evaluate, act, motivate, and deal with people; can calculate trouble in advance and steady the organization; excludes unnecessary interference in the internal operations of the department by being a strong and effective manager Is an interpreter for the nursing and hospital, both intramurally and extramurally; speaks for quality and can motivate people in general; understands elements of human behavior. Thinks independently; is knowledgeable in the field and willing to draw upon that knowledge to establish a position; can say no and then find a productive alternative. Is a member of the management team with a business mind and attitude; is able to delegate responsibility so that the available resources are utilized; keeps decision making close to the patient and thus responds to patient needs and not professional resentment; demonstrates warmth and concern for the people as individual and has an interest in total patient care; above all, has a sense of humor and is able to supply a light touch when the going gets rough.

DUTIES OF A CHIEF NURSE Establishes and implements standards which assure safe and therapeutically effective nursing care of patients. Provides for the participation of nursing staff members in the formulation of the nursing care of patients. Make provisions for all members of Nursing Service Department to know the standards and their personal responsibilities in upholding them. Establishes a plan by which each patients nursing care is planned, given or supervised, and evaluate by a professional nurse. Develops nursing service policies, which focus on the care of the patients and high quality nursing care. Participates in the establishment and promotion of administrative policies and the practice which pertain to the practice of nursing. Introduces Nursing Service applicants and recommend to the Administration appointments, promotions, transfers, disciplinary actions, termination of nursing service department personnel. Establishes the function and qualifications of each nursing position. Determines a staffing plan which will accomplish the stated objectives and standards of nursing service and promote the maximum utilization of nursing personnel. Participates in reviewing and recommending personnel policies as related to nursing personnel. Directs the personnel and the activities of the nursing department. Conducts investigation of complaints or irregularities involving the nursing service staff and submit findings and recommendations to the administrator. Organizes the nursing service department to delineate authority, functional responsibilities, lines of relationship and communication to provide the safe and therapeutically effective Nursing Care. Evaluates Nursing Care and the Climate in which it is practice to identify the achievements and problems to provide data for forecasting and planning. Develops and maintains an effective system of nursing record and report. Collaborates with the administrative staff, and representatives of allied group in planning for coordinative services to patients. Determines and recommends a departments budget to implement stated objectives and control and evaluate same. Plans with administration and other appropriate groups for the development of new and effective use of existing facilities needed to attain service and educational objectives. Initiates, promotes and participates when necessary in studies and research design to assess nursing administration practices, and nursing care, and promotes their utilization. Participates in activities which promote professional growth and development.

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