Director of Nursing

Chileda's mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with cognitive and behavior challenges. Chileda's goal is to help students increase their appropriate social behaviors and develop independent living skills, through an enriched learning environment and individualized behavior programming. Chileda's population includes children and young adults with special needs including Autism, Attachment Challenges, related developmental delays, and intensive behavioral needs.

SUMMARY: This position provides strategic and clinical leadership for Chileda's Residential Health & Wellness Department, ensuring the delivery of safe, high quality, and person-centered care for individuals with complex medical, developmental, and behavioral needs. This role provides direct oversight of staff who administer medications, monitor and respond to seizures, monitor injuries, and other health conditions. Through training, delegation, and continuous supervision, the DON ensures staff competency, adherence to care protocols, and timely clinical decision-making. This position also provides nurse delegation to other areas such as the Adult Family Home and schools. This leadership role is essential in promoting a culture of clinical excellence, safety, and collaboration, while enhancing health outcomes and quality of life for those served.

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Must possess active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Wisconsin.
• A minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• At least two years of supervisory experience is preferred.
• Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities is preferred.
• Ability to work as a team.
• Must possess strong written and verbal communication.
• Experience with or ability to learn electronic medication. administration records (E-MAR) and electronic client management systems

GENERAL HOURS OF DUTY: Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. with ability to flex as needed and on-call for guidance with health related needs.

REPORTS TO: Vice President of Residential

JOB DUTIES:

• Provide leadership, direction, and supervision to staff within the Health & Wellness department.
• Oversee the Health & Wellness department including ensuring proper coverage of health and wellness staff, ensuring compliance with DCF 52 and DHS 83 medication management including administering medication, and providing supervision and feedback to Health & Wellness staff.
• Provide continuous nurse delegation tasks and training to staff in the Health and Wellness department and other staff as needed.
• Stay up to date on current Department of Health Services (DHS), Department of Children and Families (DCF) regulations related to health services, and Accreditation standards.
• Collaborate with other Directors to develop and maintain procedures on Emergency Preparedness related to epidemic illness, communicable diseases, natural disasters, and medical emergencies.
• Oversee ordering, set up, and administration of all medications in accordance with regulations. Be fluent in the use of electronic MAR. Ensure adequate med facilitators to provide 24-hour coverage 7 days a week.
• Administer scheduled and non-scheduled medications to students as needed.
• Provide health care treatment to students within scope of current license.
• Advocate for the medical and dental needs of the students with outside healthcare providers.
• Procure appropriate laboratory studies and ongoing assessments and interpretation of lab studies with physicians. Coordinate health service appointments on site as necessary (e.g. Psychiatrist, Neurologist, etc.).
• Supervision of appropriate immunizations for students and the keeping of accurate immunization records.
• Monitor and maintain resident charts and progress notes Ensure student medical charts are organized, maintained and contain the required documents as outlined in rules and regulations and accreditation standards.
• Continuous physical and emotional assessment of individual residents through personal observation, interpretation of staff's charting, and verbal and/or written reports from the student's team including parents, physicians, and agency staff, child's social workers and concerned others.
• Collaborate with and ensure communication with the student's treatment team and direct support professional regarding student's medical, dental, and health care needs. Collaborate with Family Services Department to ensure student and family medical concerns are addressed promptly.
• Ensure health reports for Treatment Plans/IEPs, admission, and discharge are completed and submitted.
• Maintain nutritional standards for students of Chileda along with physician and dietician, including monitoring of special diets.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, safety, accountability, and person-centered care.
• Develop systems to measure outcomes for the Health & Wellness Department.
• Take fiscal responsibility for setting and staying within budget for the Health & Wellness department.
• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Job Duties of this position. While performing the duties of this job, there is frequent physical interaction with students in fulfilling self-care, behavioral interventions, and educational and recreational programs. Position involves implementing all aspects of Nonviolent Physical Crisis Intervention (CPI) including blocking, grab releases, physical transport, and physical restraint. Must be able to talk and hear to communicate with and exchange information with co-workers. Employee must be able to perform all essential functions without direct risk of harm to others or themselves. Please see Essential Functions document for specific position physical demands.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Director of Health Services will work primarily in an office setting sitting on a chair at a desk. They will drive a company van to and from medical appointments frequently throughout the week. They will also work in the houses and classrooms at Chileda.

DISCLAIMER: The statements of this Job Description are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed and are not assumed to be a complete list of tasks. This Job Description does not establish a contract and are subject to change at Chileda's discretion at any time. Employment at Chileda is at-will. Employment at-will means that Chileda may terminate or change the status or your employment at any time, with or without reason, and with or without notice.