Charge Nurse (FT, .9 Night)

The Charge Nurse provides clinical and operational leadership during the assigned shift to ensure safe, high-quality, patient-centered care in a therapeutic environment. This role oversees daily unit operations and patient flow, including assignments, admissions, transfers, and discharges, while supporting continuity of care and efficient operations. In collaboration with providers and the multidisciplinary team, this position serves as the primary nursing resource for clinical decision-making, patient safety, and shift coordination. The role provides direction, guidance, and support to nursing staff and assigned personnel; reinforces evidence-based practice; and promotes teamwork, accountability, and service excellence. The position applies crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and verbal de-escalation techniques to respond effectively to psychiatric emergencies and support the least restrictive interventions necessary to maintain individual and staff safety. The role also assists with onboarding, training, orientation, and ongoing coaching to support clinical competencies, professional development, and compliance with Joint Commission and state standards.

• Provides leadership for the shift assigned to create and maintain a safe and therapeutic milieu, overseeing clinical priorities, and ensuring all RN responsibilities are completed in accordance with company policy, regulatory requirements and standards of practice. Perform all essential functions of a Registered Nurse as needed
• Serves as the primary nursing resource and shift leader providing real time clinical guidance, mentoring, coaching, and support to nursing staff.  Assists with prioritization of patient care, clinical decision making, problems solving, and escalation of patient care concerns to appropriate leadership or providers.
• Monitors the clinical environment to proactively identify patient safety concerns, staffing issues, environmental risks, infection prevention concerns, and operational barriers. Initiates appropriate interventions and promptly communicates significant concerns to the Nurse Manager
• Assists the Nurse Manager with the implementation of new policies/procedures and collection of necessary data for reporting (Infection Control, incidents/medication errors, injuries, and staffing issues). 
• Actively assesses work area for non-compliance issues and notifies the Nurse Manager of identified concerns
• Conducts ongoing compliance rounds and audits to ensure adherence to organizational policies, Joint Commission standards, CMS and state regulatory requirements, documentation expectations, medication management standards, infection prevention practices, and patient safety initiatives.  Identifies deficiencies, provides immediate coaching when appropriate and escalates unresolved concerns. 
• Reviews nursing documentation for completeness, accuracy, and regulatory compliance. Provides timely feedback and education to staff to improve documentation quality and supports corrective action plans as directed by nursing leadership.
• Monitors the observation, CSU, and walk-in services to coordinate care and safety issues with the Lead BHS and Lead CM. Collaborates with other members of the Multidisciplinary Team to keep a smooth flow of admissions, discharges, transfers, and continuity of care while maintaining patient and staff safety.
• Reports coverage shortages and shift call-offs to Nurse Manager and Floor Operation Manager and utilizes our scheduling tool (ShiftWizard) to secure coverage
• Assists Nurse Manager in making sure that Nursing staff on shift are up to date with company standards regarding compliance and required training
• Assists with daily operational and administrative responsibilities, including timesheet review, staffing documentation, assignment adjustments, shift communication, and ensuring completion of required nursing tasks and workflows.
• Promotes staff accountability and professional practice by reinforcing organizational standards, clinical policies, mandatory education requirements, competency expectations, and evidence-based nursing practice.  Assists in identifying learning needs and communicates performance concerns to nursing leadership. 
• Ensures effective communication through shift huddles, interdisciplinary collaboration, handoff communication, and timely escalation of significant clinical operational, or safety concerns to appropriate leaders. Utilizes de-escalation procedures and theories and Safe Clinch techniques to assist in providing a safe milieu. Utilizes skills effectively to describe and demonstrate roles and responsibilities related to safety. Reviews seclusion/restraint packets and assists with their corrections
• Demonstrates leadership behaviors that foster teamwork, accountability, professionalism, service excellence, and a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement. 
• Completes reviews and audits of staff documentation to determine compliance with JCHAO standards
• Performs all other duties as assigned 

What You'll Bring:

• Graduation from an accredited Nursing Program  
• Unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse through the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing or hold a multistate licensure privelege
• At least 3 years of psychiatric, behavioral health, or relevant nursing experience
• At least 1 year of supervisory experience or lead experience
• American Heart Association BLS - must obtain within seven days of hire
• Ability to conduct safe-clinch techniques to include seclusion and restraint
• Must be able to pass the following background checks
  • Child Abuse Clearance
  • FBI Criminal Background Check
  • Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check
  • Medical screenings (Physical, TB, and Drug test)
• The Company has a mandatory vaccination policy. All successful applicants must be fully vaccinated, including showing proper documentation, or otherwise be exempt pursuant to the Company’s exemption process prior to their start date as a condition of employment
• Physical Requirements
  • Safely perform physical interventions (e.g., standing, pivoting, reaching, kneeling, lowering to the floor, and supporting another person’s weight)
  • Lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 lbs. occasionally
  • Tolerate prolonged walking, standing, and observation in a fast-paced environment
  • Work with individuals who may exhibit agitation, aggression, or unpredictable behavior

It would be great if you had: 

• Previous emergency room or crisis psychiatric care experience  
• Familiarity with 302 Involuntary processes
• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing  

What We Offer:

Full-time only:

• Employees (and their families) are offered comprehensive health insurance, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity
• CHS pays for Basic Life, AD&D, Short and Long-Term Disability
• Voluntary Life insurance option for employees and their families
• Health Savings Accounts (with $1,000 to $2,000 employer contribution depending on plan)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (health care and dependent care)
• 401k company match after 6 months (50% of deferrals up to 6% of compensation)
• Generous PTO starting at 160 hours accrued annually and 12 recognized company holidays
• Company‑paid parental leave available to eligible employees

All employees (Pool, Part-time and Full-time):

• Employee Assistance Program to help with confidential emotional support, work life solutions, financial solutions, legal assistance, or online support
• After 90 days, you are auto enrolled in the 401k Plan