Charge RN - West Des Moines Emergency Department

IHA; West Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

IHA in West Des Moines, IA is seeking a Charge Nurse (RN) for a 12-hour night shift who guides shift operations and delivers safe, compassionate care. The role blends clinical nursing with operational oversight to support staff and coordinate resources for optimal patient outcomes.

The Charge Nurse will lead daily unit operations, serve as the on-shift clinical leader, support onboarding, and ensure compliance with policies and quality standards while fostering collaboration across the care team.

Qualifications

• ADN required; BSN preferred.
• 12 months RN experience minimum; 24 months preferred.
• Current Iowa RN license with state-specific requirements at hire and additional license within 12 months.
• BLS and ACLS certifications required.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily unit operations, staffing, workflow coordination, and resource allocation.
• Serve as on-shift clinical leader and liaison among nurses, physicians, and admin teams.
• Support onboarding, education, and development of staff and students.
• Provide direct patient care including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing interventions.
• Ensure compliance with policies, safety protocols, Joint Commission standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Promote evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and documentation standards.
• Conduct audits such as chart reviews, safety checks, and quality indicators.
• Lead daily huddles, interdisciplinary rounds, and care conferences.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical nursing

Communication

Critical thinking

Documentation

Education

ADN required

BSN preferred

Tools

Electronic Medical Record

Job description

Position Summary
The Charge Nurse is a registered nurse who provides shift leadership to ensure safe, effective, efficient, and compassionate care for patients. This role blends clinical expertise with operational oversight—supporting staff, coordinating resources, and fostering collaboration across the care team to achieve excellent patient outcomes and maintain a positive work environment.

Employment Type

Full time

Shift

12 Hour Night Shift

Description

The Charge Nurse is a registered nurse who provides shift leadership to ensure safe, effective, efficient, and compassionate care for patients. This role blends clinical expertise with operational oversight—supporting staff, coordinating resources, and fostering collaboration across the care team to achieve excellent patient outcomes and maintain a positive work environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of the unit, including staffing, workflow coordination, and resource allocation based on patient acuity and unit needs.
• Serve as the on‑shift clinical leader and primary liaison between nurses, physicians, and administrative teams.
• Support onboarding, education, and development of staff and students.
• Provide direct patient care, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing interventions.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, safety protocols, Joint Commission standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Promote evidence‑based practice, quality improvement initiatives, and consistent documentation standards.
• Conduct and/or oversee audits such as chart reviews, safety checks, incident follow-up, and nursing‑sensitive quality indicators.
• Lead daily huddles, interdisciplinary rounding, patient-family communication, and care conferences.
• Partner with leadership on scheduling, hiring input, and HR-related matters.
• Act as a resource and role model for clinical practice, teamwork, and use of the electronic medical record.
• Facilitate smooth patient flow through admission, discharge, and transfer processes.
• Function independently with sound judgment, guided by the Nurse Practice Act and organizational policies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Minimum 12 months of RN experience required; 24 months preferred.
• Current Iowa RN license (MercyOne Genesis: Iowa or Illinois RN license required at hire; secondary state license must be obtained within 12 months).
• American Heart Association BLS and ACLS certifications required.
• Completion of Mandatory Reporter—Child and/or Dependent Adult Abuse training within 3 months of hire.
• Strong critical thinking, high-level language skills, and intermediate-to-advanced math proficiency.
• Basic computer proficiency required.

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.