Charge RN - West Des Moines Emergency Department

MercyOne; West Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

MercyOne is seeking a Charge Nurse to provide shift leadership, coordinate staff and resources, and deliver high-quality nursing care. You will supervise daily operations, mentor staff, and collaborate with physicians and admin teams to optimize outcomes and patient experience.

The role emphasizes clinical expertise, operational oversight, and adherence to safety standards, with an emphasis on teamwork and exemplary documentation.

Qualifications

• ADN required; BSN preferred.
• Minimum 12 months RN experience; 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).
• BLS and ACLS certifications required.
• Mandatory Reporter—Child and/or Dependent Adult Abuse training within 3 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily unit operations including staffing, workflow, and resource allocation based on patient acuity.
• Act as on-shift clinical leader and liaison between nurses, physicians, and admin teams.
• Support onboarding, education, and development of staff and students.
• Provide direct patient care including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Promote evidence-based practice and quality improvement with consistent documentation.
• Oversee audits such as chart reviews, safety checks, and nursing quality indicators.
• Lead daily huddles, interdisciplinary rounds, and care conferences.
• Collaborate with leadership on scheduling and HR-related matters.
• Serve as a resource and role model for clinical practice and EMR use.
• Facilitate patient flow through admission, discharge, and transfer.
• Operate with independent judgment under Nurse Practice Act and policies.

Skills

Leadership

Critical thinking

Communication

Math proficiency

Computer proficiency

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

BSN preferred

Tools

EMR systems

Job description

Employment Type: Full time

Shift: 12 Hour Night Shift

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.

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.