Registered Nurse

Job Title: Registered Nurse (RN), Full-Time, Exempt

Department: Quality and Nursing

Reports To: Nurse Manager

Job Summary:

The Registered Nurse monitors and promotes the health and safety of people supported. This position ensures company compliance with all relevant medical best practices, rules, regulations, and guidelines for their assigned caseload/State. The Registered Nurse audits program files, assists with the monitoring of quality assurance (QA) processes and health-related data for programs and individuals receiving services and provides overall direction to the Vista Care team by mentoring, and coaching staff. The Registered Nurse supports Vista Care individuals to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle, to be as independent as possible and supports individuals to have a high satisfaction with services and supports.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Being a positive role model for individuals, employees, co-workers, and management. Represent the company in a professional manner in the community and when attending State/Regional meetings.
• Comply with company policies and procedures, including, but not limited to Introductory Training Period, Attendance, Workplace Safety, Employee Appearance and Hygiene, Abuse/Neglect/Exploitation, Rights and Grievance for Individuals in Services, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Harassment
• Encourages a structured and health-oriented living environment
• Treating employees, management, and individuals with dignity and respect, including honest and respectful communication
• Does not engage in activities other than official business during work hours
• Contributing to a harmonious working environment, and maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, management, individuals, outside agencies, and others with whom the RN may come in contact
• Maintaining frequent communication with the Regional/State/Area Directors, Service and Support Directors, and others as required
• Familiarizes self with State Regulations, Quality Standards and monitors and contributes to Vista Care’s ongoing regulatory compliance and funder satisfaction

Responsible for the coordination, supervision, and provision of health services and monitoring to Vista Care programs, which includes, but is not limited to:

• Assuring all employees are aware of and complete required medication management training within Vista Care and State required time frames
• Assists efforts to develop staff retention strategies, including introduction of new training, mentorship programs, etc.
• Supervises other nurses or staff as assigned
• Attend resident staffing meetings as needed, as well as other meetings relevant to assigned duties. Provides teaching and guidance to all levels of program staff
• Develop knowledge of the rules, regulations, and codes relative to the assigned State and locations including Home and Community Based Services, Shared Living, Adult Family Homes, and Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) as applicable
• Establishes a normal baseline medical care and assessment of all individuals served, and routinely assess their overall behavioral and medical needs, for any change of condition, and recommends medication or treatment modifications.
• Develop knowledge & expertise for Vista Care’s chosen medication training and client medical record system
• Teaches State-approved medication administration classes for new hires and recertification training within State-mandated time frames
• Communicates with health and medical professionals on a daily/weekly basis to keep them informed of client status and other pertinent information
• Provides technical assistance to staff regarding medical issues for people supported
• Ensures documentation of all training sessions, including house/clinical meetings

Program responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting direct support professionals with health-related training and providing or arranging specialized training for unique supports for individuals as needed. Communicates performance concerns to supervisor.
• Monitoring overall medical compliance of the programs including compliance with the State or Medicaid rules for the assigned locations
• Attends staff meetings and assigned training including Essential Learning Training as requested or applicable to assigned caseload
• Available outside of standard work hours, including evenings and weekends, to provide assistance to staff in regard to medical issues
• Assists with admissions, including assessments, record review, and ensures appropriate immunizations or communicable disease testing is complete per State requirements
• Provide ongoing record review of residents and demonstrate professional approach by serving as a role model for staff in delivering clear statements to residents concerning expectations and consequences for unhealthy behavior
• In conjunction with program staff, assist with the investigation of allegations of Mistreatment, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation concerning health-related matters, providing written summaries and recommendations to the Investigator outlining appropriate plans of correction as needed
• Chart all observations and interactions which may have a bearing on the health of the resident and communicate all pertinent information to the Supervisor in emergency situations through verbal and written reports
• Through general observation, monitor programs and activities to ensure accessibility, safety, and reporting safety hazards
• Respond promptly to complaints and concerns
• Respond to emergency situations in a timely and responsible manner, providing guidance, assistance, and support to persons served and other personnel. Report all such emergency situations to the Supervisor, regulatory entities as required and within designated timeframes
• Monitors the medication administration process for direct support professionals and other medication certified staff, to ensure compliance with policy, procedures, licensing, and accreditation standards as applicable to assigned locations
• Conduct regular review, tracking and trending of health data in Vista Care’s electronic record (currently Therap) to provide ongoing training to direct support professionals, to determine where improvements are needed in documentation and identify the need for any additional interventions/assessments for individuals supported
• Provides Vista Care management with reports on health/medication trends and provides corrective training to staff on documentation errors for medication administration and other training as needed
• Assuring program environments are conducive to improving individuals’ quality of life and increasing their independence
• Provide oversight of systems for the ordering, disbursement and disposal of prescribed and over the counter medications, appropriate medical supplies, and equipment for individuals in services
• Assuring employees are informed of and adhere to HIPAA regulations regarding client PHI

Qualifications and Experience:

• Successful graduate with ASN, BSN, or MSN
• Valid RN nursing license to practice in the assigned State required
• Prior management experience strongly preferred
• Minimum of 1 year working in human services, preferably with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, addiction, or other disability-related program preferred

Scope of Supervision:

• None

Education:

• Successful graduate with ASN, BSN, or MSN
• Valid RN nursing license to practice in the assigned State required
• Prior management experience strongly preferred
• Minimum of 1 year working in human services, preferably with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, addiction, or other disability-related program preferred

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• 1. Physical Requirements – Requires repetitive manual and finger dexterity and eye- hand coordination; requires the ability to use all office equipment; and the ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds using appropriate body mechanics. Must be able to remain awake and alert for the duration of each shift, bend, stoop, push, pull, reach, twist, sit, and walk for periods of time. Must be able to utilize proper body mechanics while assisting with the transfer of individuals weighing up to 250 pounds utilizing manual or mechanical lifting devices.

2. Visual, hearing, and communication requirements – Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range, with or without reasonable accommodation. Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing with all staff, other professionals, and individuals. Must be able to give and receive verbal and written instructions in English.

3. Work location – Primarily office settings with some of the time spent in home-like settings with varying degrees of background noise. The possibility of exposure to blood borne pathogens exists if universal precautions are not followed. May require working under stressful conditions at times and handling emergencies. There will be pressure at times to meet scheduled appointments and deadlines and manage crisis situations. This position will interact with individuals who have mental illness or are intellectually and developmentally disabled and may be frail or confused and have the potential for verbal or physical aggression.