Pre-admissions, admissions, continued placement, discharges

• Adheres to Louisiana’s Intermediate Care Facility Intellectual and Developmental Disability (ICFDD) licensing criteria regarding nursing responsibilities for admissions, continued placement, and discharges.
• Performs medical assessments prior to admission to determine the supports and services that will be needed.

• During the pre-admission process, may make recommendations regarding STARC’s ability to meet prospective client’s nursing/medical needs.

• Participates in or is available for pre-admit and admission evaluations, periodic re-evaluations of services and dischargeplans.

• Ensures implementation of appropriate infection control protocols and monitors for adherence.

• Reviews lab work reports
• Conducts annual and quarterly nursing assessments.
• Conducts an evaluation of nursing services for clients every six months, or as needed (care plans, pain management, etc.)
• Conducts health care assessments for each client in residential community homes.
• Conducts quarterly drug reviews and monitors any necessary follow up.
• Conducts medication administration reviews and observes medication administration passes per licensing requirements to ensure documentation is accurately charted and records are properly maintained.
• Conducts monthly reviews of client seizure logs and ensures records are properly maintained.

• Coordinates and reviews physician orders and medication administration records with physicians
• Communicates with physicians, parents/guardians, and other health professionals, as necessary.
• Coordinates flow of documentation and communication that clearly outlines identification of health-related concerns, treatment of these concerns and follow-up that occurs to remedy the concerns.
• Coordinates medical services based upon recommendations by physicians or other professionals through instructions to residential services staff or through provision of direct nursing services to clients, as necessary.
• Informs appropriate persons (Director of Operations, Residential Services Administrator, Residential Services Facilitator, Residential Services QIDPs, Lead CLS/CMAs) of changes in clients' health status, or significant other health-related changes.
• Oversees all assigned client’s health care, including consulting with physicians and monitoring of medical and dental conditions and appointments. This includes notifying the Residential Services Facilitator, QIDPs, and Lead CLS/CMAs of doctor’s orders, pharmacy/prescription orders or other needed services within 24 hours.
• Works in conjunction with the Residential Services Facilitator and Lead CLS/CMAs in coordinating medical appointments and follow-up consultations and/or appointments for clients. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring all client physician exams, lab work, dental, medical, and psychiatric appointments are kept and documented.

• Administers injections of prescribed medications to clients as needed.
• In the absence of an employee who is a certified CMA, will administer medications to clients in residential community homes per physician’s orders.
• Spends time each week with clients in STARC’s residential community homes in provision of health services as needed and for conducting observation, charting, and completing client health assessments as needed.
• Monitors clients for medication related issues, medical treatments, and routine health care needs.
• Provides hands-on monitoring of a client’s medical condition by visiting in the home as needed and whenever a client is discharged from the hospital or has new medications or medical care needs.
• Serves as backup for accompanying clients to medical appointments or consultations, as needed or requested by supervisor.
• Monitors or advocates for clients if they require hospital or out-patient care.
• Provides or assists with medically related tests and other health screenings for residential services employees and clients as needed or requested by supervisor.
• Cleans and dresses wounds as needed and prescribed in client’s medical plan of care.
• Collects samples for lab testing.

• Develops and/or improves systems to reduce medication administration errors and to increase medication awareness.

• Ensures residential services staff receive appropriate training in basic skills to become competent to provide CPR, first aid, and to be able to detect signs and symptoms of illness or dysfunction, recognize and monitor changes in client’s conditions, be aware of client’s individual pain levels and knowledgeable of other basic skills required to meet the health needs of the clients.

• Trains residential services employees, when newly hired and as necessary thereafter, on medication side effects, treatment modalities and other health-related issues.
• Develops and ensures implementation of residential services staff training programs regarding personal hygiene techniques, inclusion of daily physical activities, monitoring of client’s blood pressure, temperatures, and heart rates that are designed to promote quality health care for the clients.
• Conducts CMA classes and administers state exam to ensure staff are approved to administer medications to clients.
• Conducts CMA recertification classes for continued competency.

• Maintains the confidentiality of all privileged information regarding clients.
• Must be available to work flexible schedule (nights, weekends, holidays, emergency and crisis situations) On-call 24/7
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, staff, families, physicians, medical vendors, pharmacies, and community stakeholders
• Utilize program computer software to document nursing reports, nursing notes, medication changes, etc.
• Participate in Plan of Care meetings and serve on Local Oversight Committee
• Attend other meetings as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited college, university, of school of nursing
• Current RN licensure in State of Louisiana (must maintain current license during employment)
• Two years of clinical experience
• Minimum of two (2) years of full-time experience working as an RN. Experience working in ICFDD and/or other work experience with individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities preferred.
• CPR/First Aid Certification
• Current valid driver’s license and good driving record

• Reliable transportation
• Excellent organization and computer skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with professionals inside and outside of STARC, and with other staff, families, and clients.
• Ability to follow complicated directions and execute them accurately.
• Knowledge and ability in area of supervision
• Ability to create and present written, oral, and visual materials to both large and small groups.
• Ability to work at a fast pace and to respond to stressful situations with control and assurance.
• Ability to function independently, attend to detail, work under pressure, and prioritize multiple projects.
• Ability to deal with individuals with patience and tact.
• Ability to meet deadlines.