INCHARGE NURSE

Department:

NURSING – NICU

Positions Reports to:

  NURSING SUPRINTENDENT

Main Objective of the Role

Incharge nurse who have to display leadership, management and communication skills, responsible for managing, supervising and assisting nursing staff providing administrative support and patient care. While daily goals must be met, effective charge nurses are flexible and are able to prioritize and adapt during emergencies.

Key Responsibilities

• To get oriented to the ward routines, equipment and type of patients.
• Prepare nursing care plans and render effective bedside nursing care in a professional way.
• Administer on time medications and therapies. 
• To co-ordinate with Ward secretaries / Billing assistants regarding admissions, discharges and billing activities of the patients.
• To ensure that all investigations are carried out as advised by the doctor, reports available on time for doctor’s perusal and further advice.
• To assist the doctors in special procedures, dressings and rounds.
• To maintain the medical and nursing records of patients as per the institutional requirements and that of the treating consultants.
• To raise requisitions on the computer for drugs.
• To ensure diet and investigation slips are raised.
• Maintain personal, patients and environmental hygiene.
• To check and record vital signs legibly and promptly.

• To be aware and implement accordingly all protocols in the unit as hand washing, infection control, medications, narcotic policy, ICU, personal valuables, etc.
• To handle with care and with knowledge all gadgets used in patient care in the wards.
• To handle waste segregation and disposal as per the policy.
• To follow strictly all safety measures involved in patient care and self-protection.
• To maintain a cordial inter personal relationship within the unit and with support departments.
• To take over and handover properly at change of shifts.
• To be aware of the patient rights and preserve the same.
• Attend in-service programs and trainings to enhance knowledge.
• To ensure strict discipline and decorum at all times.
• To fill up the Nursing Assessment Guide within 24 hrs of patient’s admission.
• To ensure that the patient is comfortable and implement safety measures for vulnerable patients as per the policy.
• To review the doctor’s notes and the drug chart on admission and implement action as required.
• To raise pharmacy indents, check on receipt, and stock in the patient’s bedside locker and medication trolley.
• To administer drugs according to ‘Drug Administration Policy.’
  • To identify two patient identifiers before administering medicines.
  • Medications to be administered during standard medication timings unless a stat order is written.
  • To administer dangerous medicines counter checked by a second nurse for the ‘six medication rights’ and complete documentation policy.
  • To be aware and implement accordingly the policies with respect to ‘Medications brought by patient’ and ‘self administration by patients.’

• o observe the patient to ensure safe medication / adverse reactions.  In case of ADR the respective form to be filled.
• Any errors in medication / nursing intervention to be brought immediately to the notice of the Charge nurse or Nursing supervisor.
• To complete the transfer formalities as per the In-house Transfer Policy.
• To be aware of the following measures i.e. Infection Control, Barrier Nursing, Patient and Self Safety, End of Life Issues, and Effective Management of Information to maintain confidentiality of information – medical / personal – of patients and ensures implementation.
  • To avoid any violation of confidentiality of information e.g. no discussion of patient identifiable information in public areas.
  • No verbal orders from Doctors to be taken by Nurses except in emergency and for diet which should later be followed by a written order.
• To maintain a register to record all blood and blood products wasted / discarded on the floors.
• To complete the preoperative checklist before sending the patient to operation theatre.
• Role of a neonatal nurse is specific and particular, as the neonate remains dependent on care providers for his physical needs. Each area of care for neonate is different from adults.
• For example:
• Feeding
• Position
• Medication dosage (i.e. according to weight and body surface)
• To have thorough knowledge on gestational age assessment, and the special problems of the premature, post-mature, small for gestational age, large for gestational age newborn.
• To follow universal precaution as per the unit protocol.
• To assist the doctors in the management of the asphyxiated newborn, including resuscitation and stabilization.
• To be fully aware of the APGAR score and APGAR scoring performed.
• To ensure safety and security of neonates by adapting safety measures.
• To assist the doctors in the following procedures with properly set procedure trolleys.
• Venopuncture
• Endotracheal intubation
• Catheterization of umbilical artery and vein.
• Peripheral I.V. and arterial line insertion.
• ICD insertion
• Lumbar puncture
• To encourage, educate and assist mothers in breastfeeding.
• To prepare artificial feed with strict aseptic technique as per the doctor’s written instruction.
• To handle with care and with knowledge all gadgets used in patient care.
• To have thorough knowledge on I.V. fluid and drug calculation.
• Responsible for checking and recording daily weight of the baby.
• Responsible for monitoring and maintaining normal oxygen saturation level.
• To accompany the baby during transportation
• To give reassurance and health education to the attendant on breastfeeding, artificial feeding, safety measures, and effect of medication.
• To obtain signature from the parents (father or mother) at the time of discharge that they have received their baby.

• To perform patient and family education. To be aware of NABH standards and implement the same.
• To maintain records of all types of procedures, births still births, incidents, training modules monthly census and the day to day happenings of the events in particular department.
• To check the appraisals of the staffs periodically to encourage and to bring in changes in the performance of the staffs.

Major Job Qualifications / Specific Skills

Required Education: GNM/B.Sc (Nursing)

Experience: 11 - 12 Years

Knowledge and Specific Skills: Clinical Skills, Supervisory Skills, Ability  to execute plans, Responsible & Accountable for nursing care, people skills, decision making, problem solving skills, Task oriented, Aware of NABH standards

Required Critical Behavioral Competencies

Communication/ Attitude and confidence:

Good Communication Skills, Problem Solving, Team Management, Training & Development, Mentorship