Registered Nurse

Job Summary:

The Registered Nurse Provides comprehensive health care services for individuals residing in St. Dominic’s Family Services; oversees the health activities in the residence; and assures optimal health care services for the individuals in accordance with the philosophy and objectives of the agency.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain the mission of Person-Centered Planning.
• Perform pre-admission evaluations of new individuals and 30-day post admission evaluation and review.
• Perform health assessments and evaluations, recommend further interventions as needed.
• Evaluate, teach, and document self-medication steps to individuals when needed.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date medical records, in compliance with state and agency regulations. Oversees nursing notes, lab reports, physician referrals and other documentation as required by agency professional standards
• Prepare consents for psychotropic medications needed for Human Rights Committee and Informed Consent Committee.
• Oversee the scheduling of medical, dental, behavioral health, and other appointments as necessary.
• Consult with interdisciplinary clinicians to maintain the health and well-being of individuals.
• Follow up on all hospitalization and emergency treatment recommendations to ensure optimal medical care is received.
• Review and interpret medical reports received. Relate pertinent information to appropriate personnel, family or physician as indicated or requested.
• Participate as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team incorporating the individual medical needs in the treatment plan.
• Accompany individuals to medical appointments when necessary.
• Seek out and collaborates with community physicians, dentists, and any other medical providers as needed to provide optimal health care.
• Conduct Formal In-Service and Trainings on health-related topics.
• Oversee medication administration for all individuals and certification/recertification process of all AMAPs, in accordance with NYS OPWDD Regulations) and periodically observe staff in performance of medication pouring.
• Be available to staff (via telephone within 30 minutes) for medical concerns/emergencies, during “off” hours/days.
• Monitor medication orders, assure individuals’ prescriptions are promptly filled/renewed and orders are transcribed as needed.
• Routinely checks medication administration records and storage area per agency protocol.
• Follow CDC and OSHA recommendations (when applicable) to decrease communicable diseases.
• Prepare reports and attend Semi-Annual and Annual meetings.
• Coordinate the health care needs of individuals who vacation at a facility away from their residence with the medical personnel of the vacation facility.
• Ensure that medications are available and prepared for individuals home visits or vacations.
• Confer with Care Manager and Program Manager to incorporate the health care/medical needs of the individual into his/her daily program.
• Prepare Surrogate Decision-Making packets for those individuals that must undergo medical intervention and do not have legal guardians.
• Serve as liaison and advocate for individual’s quality of life.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned

Education & Experience:

• Current NYS License to practice as a Registered Nurse required. (Minimum ASN)
• Three (3) years of experience working as a Registered Nurse and knowledge of developmental disabilities preferred. Or, two (2) years of experience working as an RN, PLUS, two years working in a developmental disabilities or mental health agency.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of Developmentally disabled population/characteristics/medical issues.
• Ability to interact with and complete assignments in a manner sensitive to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate clearly and effectively. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.