JOB SUMMARY

The Nurse is responsible for the coordination and implementation of health care services in Step By Step’s community residential facilities for persons with developmental disabilities. The Nurse assesses the need for nursing intervention and develops health care plans for program participants as indicated. The Nurse trains program participants and staff to implement health care planning. The Nurse works within the interdisciplinary team to ensure optimum quality care. The Nurse reports directly to the Vice President of Operations.

Essential Functions:

Coordinates ongoing medical/dental treatment, care and follow-up by ensuring appointments are scheduled. Ensures necessary information accompanies the program participant to the appointments and health care orders and recommendations are implemented.

• Participates in nursing and other patient care duties as needed and assigned.

• Participates in all planning and preparation for medical/dental visits, attend follow-up appointments for medically complex cases.

• Review Medical Appointment/Discharge Paperwork and ensure all new orders are in place.

• Ensure all medical protocols/procedures are in place for medically complex individuals.

• Responds to emergency situations in an appropriate manner consistent with Agency procedures.

• Informs the Service Director of any changes in program participant’s behavior, physical condition, attitude or staff conduct that might negatively impact on the program participant’s well-being.

• Must be able to complete and maintain information in the Health Risk Screen Tool, and be able to screen an individual using the HRST. The rater must complete (at a minimum) an online training course. This is the only training that is required of the rater before screening individuals. Completion of this online training course qualifies the rater to have access to the HRST web-based application so that screenings can be done. This course teaches the rater vital health and safety information and how to screen the 22 rating items found in the HRST.

• Responsible for completing the HRST Clinical Review for all individuals in Program.

• Implements and monitors the Health Information Recording System. Trains staff to maintain this system.

• Assists Agency administration in the development of quality assurance assessment procedures that will ensure staff’s compliance to standards for quality health care and safety.

• Participates in meetings, committees, and training seminars, etc., as required to meet service goals and the needs of program participants.

• Assists Agency administration in the development of policies and procedures that relate to health and safety issues.

• Facilitates the transition of program participants from Medical Assistance funding to Managed Care.

• Remains up-to-date within the profession of nursing and stays informed of changes in clinical issues as they relate to program participants with developmental disabilities.

• Reviews quality checks and signs all medical logs from sites on a quarterly basis.

• Provides direct supervision to Healthcare Assistants and any staff assigned directly to support the medical services.

• Coordinate with other Regional Nurses to create and Maintain Medical Protocols.

• Actively supports Program Managers in carrying out medical activities and appointments.

• Provides overall leadership to the medical services required for all program participants and identify and report potential risks to the Executive Team

• Develops protocols as needed for specific program participant home care situations and in conjunction with the Vice President of Operations and the Service Director ensures staff training is effective and efficient.

• Review Death/Medical Investigations and provide POC’s when needed.

• Medication Management and Med Reviews

• Train staff on medical protocols/procedures

• Create and update Lifetime Medical Histories and update Medical Listings

• Inspect and Maintain Durable Medical Equipment

• Assist with Pre-Licensing Inspections and create POC’s based on ODP licensing results.

• Receive Station MD Follow-up paperwork.

• Complete Fall Assessments, as needed.

• Completes other tasks as assigned

Minimum Qualifications/ Requirments:

Education and/or Experience/Physical Demands/Other Skills and Abilities

Education and/or Experience:

• Must possess a current certificate as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse by written examination, as issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nurse Examiners, plus have at least five years of nursing experience.
• Previous nursing experience in the Human Service field preferred.

Physical Demands:

• Lifting: Must be physically able to assist program participants in and out of van (some program participants are ambulatory, have awkward gaits or are in wheelchairs), lift program participants who are in wheelchairs to and from bed, toilet, tub, etc.

• Bending: Must be physically able to bend in order to demonstrate to staff techniques on lifting program participants into and out of bed, bath, lifts, wheel chairs, vans, etc. Must be able to bend to pick up dropped items, assist in changing program participant’s clothes.

• Twisting: Must be physically able to perform activities of daily living around the group home.

• Sitting: Must be physically able to sit in order to complete record keeping, revise care plans, talk with program participants, drive own vehicle or Agency van from the group home to various sites in the community for medical appointments, site seeing, and various recreational activities.

• Walking: Must be able to walk within a 1,500 square foot group home, walk with program participants to various activities indoors and outdoors and enter/exit the Agency van while participating in trips into the community.

• Standing: Must be physically able to visit program participants while hospitalized in various facilities, visit group homes to determine overall medical/physical condition, speak with program participants, etc.

• Climbing: Must be physically able to climb up and down one flight of stairs in order to gain access to the second floor. Must be physically able to climb one large step in order to access the Agency van.

• Squatting: Must be physically able to squat next to chairs, beds, etc. to examine program participants.

• Kneeling: Must be physically able to kneel in order to provide emergency care (CPR, first aid, etc.) or routine care.

• Pushing: Must be physically able of demonstrating lifting techniques to staff, sliding van door open/shut, and assisting program participants with wheelchairs.

• Pulling: Must be physically able to open and hold open Agency van doors, group home doors and office doors.

• Reaching: Must be physically able to demonstrate to staff how to turn program participants who are in bed or in a prone position and how to lift and/or move program participants.

• Hand Usage: Must be physically able to perform continuous bi-lateral hand usage with simple grasping in order to perform all job functions.

• Foot Usage: Must be physically able to operate foot controls in the Agency van in order to operate van.

• Must be physically able to assist program participants in safe evacuation from the group home in the event of an emergency and within the timeframe specified by licensing requirements.

• Must be physically able to perform CPR and First Aid in the event of an emergency.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Must read, write, speak and understand the English language.

• Must pass and maintain certification as an abuse investigator as per the State’s ODP Bulletin on incident management.

• Must take the required course, pass the qualification tests and maintain continuous status as an approved ODP Medication Administration Trainer.

• Must pass and maintain CPR and First Aid certification.

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license from state of residency and be insurable under Step By Step’s insurance carrier’s regulations.

• Must be mentally and visually aware of program participants’ actions and physical condition.

• Must complete 24 hours of training within the training year, if required by regulations.

• Must maintain a pleasant and professional demeanor at all times in order to remain open and accessible to all co-workers, management staff, and outside contacts.

• Must be willing and able to attend conferences, seminars, trainings and meetings as instructed and serve on an Agency committees if requested.

• Must be knowledgeable of Agency services, policies and procedures.

• Must adhere to Professional Standards as set forth by the Agency and maintain confidentiality at all times.

• Must actively promote and personally observe safety and security procedures.