An Emergency Department Unit Charge Nurse is one who has the ability to demonstrate an advanced level of teamwork and promote a positive team spirit while maintaining excellent standards according to Marshall Medical Center goals.  As a nurse he or she is a highly specialized health care professional who cares for a range of medical emergencies and clinic type patient care in the hospital environment for the purpose of recognizing, stabilizing and planning patient care activities and based on acuity of patients.

Some of the many skills performed

• Triage care of ED patient using nursing assessment
• Follow Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) guidelines
• Follow Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) guidelines
• Follow Basic Life Support (BLS) guidelines;
• Orthopedic splinting
• Provide advanced cardiac care, including:
• Manual defibrillation;
• Synchronized cardioversion;
• Transcutaneous pacing;
• Perform Electrocardiogram monitoring, including 12-lead ECG;
• Establish vascular access for medication administration and fluid resuscitation via several routes:
  • Peripheral intravenous cannulation;
  • Intraosseous cannulation
• Utilize noninvasive diagnostic devices such as pulse oximetry; capnography
• Place a nasogastric tube and perform gastric suctioning;
• Administer medications via intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous, sublingual, endotracheal, rectal, and intraosseous routes
• Use of glucometer for diabetic patients
• Ventilator and IV pump management
• Administer a variety of medications.

EDUCATION:

                         Graduation from a State Board of Nursing School RN program

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

                        Licensure by the Alabama Board of Nursing as a Registered Nurse.

                        BLS certification

                        Certified and maintains ACLS certification.

                        Certified and maintains PALS certification.

                        MOAB or equivalent course training

Lake Guntersville, a mountain-lakes jewel, is located approximately 30 miles from metro Huntsville – and is home to Marshall Medical Centers.

Marshall Medical Centers, an affiliate of the Huntsville Hospital Health System, serves the residents of Marshall County and the surrounding area (population approximately 125,000). With two hospitals, eight outpatient locations and a highly-trained team of physicians practicing 28 specialties, Marshall Medical is a confident, convenient choice for local healthcare. Residents can remain close to home and receive excellent care – often provided by those who are neighbors and friends.

Marshall Medical Center South is a 150-bed hospital in Boaz, Alabama, and opened in 1956. Marshall Medical Center North, in Guntersville, opened in 1990 – and – is a 90-bed facility. In addition to the two hospitals, the Gary R. Gore Medical Complex is conveniently located mid-county and is home to several outpatient clinics and a 22,000 square foot comprehensive Cancer Care Center.

Named by the Joint Commission as a “Top Quality Performer” among America’s hospitals, Marshall Medical Centers’ patients can be assured they are being treated in an environment where a premium is placed on quality and best practices.