DescriptionThis is not a bedside or unit-based charge nurse role. The Charge Nurse for the Central Monitoring Unit (CMU) serves as the clinical leader of a centralized, technology-driven cardiac surveillance center. This role is fully dedicated to real-time analysis of cardiac telemetry, leading a specialized team that remotely monitors heart rate and rhythm for patients across multiple acute care units.
The CMU Charge Nurse works in a high-tech command-center environment, spending the entirety of their shift focused on cardiac monitors, rhythm interpretation, and data-driven clinical decision support-no direct patient care responsibilities. This role is ideal for nurses passionate about cardiac electrophysiology, informatics, and the future of remote patient monitoring.
Job SummaryThe CMU Charge Nurse provides clinical, technical, and operational leadership for the Central Monitoring Unit during assigned shifts. This role ensures continuous, accurate surveillance of cardiac rhythms and telemetry data, with rapid identification and escalation of clinically significant arrhythmias to bedside care teams.
Acting as the central hub for cardiac monitoring, the CMU Charge Nurse leads alarm management strategy, supports advanced rhythm interpretation, and ensures seamless communication between monitor technicians and clinical units throughout the hospital.
Key Responsibilities- Centralized Cardiac Surveillance
- Provide expert oversight of continuous cardiac monitoring across multiple inpatient units using advanced telemetry systems.
- Analyze and validate cardiac rhythms in real time, ensuring precise interpretation and documentation of PR, QRS, and QT intervals within the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
- Clinical Leadership & Team Development
- Lead and support a team of Cardiac Monitor Technicians, assigning monitoring workloads and providing real-time coaching on complex or high-risk rhythm interpretations.
- Serve as the escalation resource for ambiguous or critical telemetry findings.
- Advanced Alarm & Data Management
- Direct the triage and escalation of telemetry alarms, applying evidence-based strategies to reduce alarm fatigue while ensuring immediate response to life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation.
- Troubleshoot monitoring system issues and collaborate with clinical engineering and IT partners to maintain continuous, high-reliability surveillance.
Job Title:- RN Clinician Charge Plans, coordinates and directs the daily operations of a specific shift on a clinical unit. Supervises staff and facilitates communication with physicians and internal administrators to provide optimal patient and family-centered care.
- Is recognized as a change agent and routinely leads efforts to strengthen organizational systems that support the mission, vision, and values of the department. Adept at creative problem-solving, negotiating conflict, and collaborating with others. Demonstrates insight, judgment, and clinically sound risk-taking.
- Role models expert communication skills to colleagues through example. Demonstrates foresight regarding the impact of nursing care on patient outcomes based on intuition and experience. Is recognized as an expert clinician and a leader within their area of specialty. Completes employee conference, risk management and unit management reports within specified time frames.
- Identifies the need for revision and evaluates the effectiveness of operational forms. Provides and coordinates the resources needed within the unit to provide optimal patient outcomes. Role models time management skills through example. Ensures compliance and adherence with stated policies and procedures for the unit.
- Remains informed of innovative clinical trends through bench marking and evidence based practice. Functions as charge nurse. Role models delegation skills to colleagues and assist them in effective delegation utilizing the Synergy model for care. Considered an expert and is viewed as a formal leader.
- Mentors other Registered Nurses to the role and functions of Charge Nurse. Evaluates the use of resources and cost containment activities. Leads and coordinates team behavior between staff members and actively fosters the development of leadership skills in others. Exhibits desire to hear and understand another's point of view.
- Demonstrates and role models effective communication skills. Takes a leadership role in building and maintaining an environment which fosters open and candid communication. Serves as an arbitrator in resolution of conflicts between nursing staff. Takes appropriate action to correct unacceptable communication/behavior as needed. Takes appropriate action to counsel employees (i.e., verbal warnings for attendance & performance issues) Coordinates unit staffing to meet the needs of the department. Identifies one managerial problem and initiates test of change.
- Actively participates in preparation of regulatory agency reviews. Assists in administrative activities such as budget planning, identifying means of cost containment, coordinating unit staffing schedules, and ensuring communication regarding areas of concern to the Unit Director. Provides direction and guidance to less experienced staff concerning policies, scheduling, assignments, organizational skills and daily operations. Evaluates the impact of policies on daily operations.
- Supports administrative decisions and facilitates daily operational issues with the staff. Challenges and shapes systems on the unit and hospital wide to achieve best possible outcomes. Aware of and supports units and colleagues needs through supportive and non-judgmental behaviors. Actively empowers and advocates for nurses. Implements innovative approaches to meet the needs of patients and families.
- Identifies, recognizes and responds to the needs of unit staff to ensure that staff has the resources and tools available to meet patient and family needs. Takes appropriate action to address customer concerns and complaints (i.e., appropriate follow-up with Unit Director and risk management). Addresses escalated patient issues and refers issues to Unit Director or Patient Advocate when unable to resolve.
- Monitors issues and their resolution. Identifies, initiates, and collaborates to provide needed educational programs. Develops management/ leadership focused in-service (e.g., time management, team building, conflict resolution, budget, leadership activities). Demonstrates current evidence-based practice and disseminates information. Ensures compliance with educational requirements through scheduling, planning, and support. Questions management practice as it relates to research.
- Completes performance reviews with Nurse Manager input as appropriate. Incorporates Synergy model for care in nurse/patient assignments. Must meet all Clinical Nurse I Employee Commitments. Achieves points and contact hours as defined in the PLAN (clinical lattice) point system to maintain position. Required
Minimum Qualifications:Education: - Graduate of an accredited prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Experience: 2 years of recent nursing experience AND a minimum of 2 years of experience in the area of concentration.
Licensure: A valid, unencumbered Registered Nursing License approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing. Certification:
1. BLS certification
2. ACLS may be required for certain departments, post hire
3. Additional certifications may be required based on department and specialty
PLAN:1. Must meet all Clinical Nurse Employee Commitments.
2. Achieves electives/points and contact hours as defined in the PLAN (clinical lattice)
point system to maintain position.
3. Must complete UCN/SNM criteria requirements within nine (9) months of promotion or hire, including completion of Enhancing your Communication HLC#6488, completion of formal preceptor training workshop and enrollment in LEAP course.
Preferred Qualifications: 
