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Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Responsible for provision of nursing services for persons supported in assigned program(s) and/or system(s), working in collaboration with direct support or other applicable staff, including program leadership, to obtain information or updates on persons supported and regularly reporting on-site to engage with persons supported and staff, conducting observations, assessments and trainings.

• Develops and maintains an understanding of regulations applicable to assigned program(s) and/or system(s) as they relate to medical and nursing care, including needs or care for specific medical and related conditions of persons supported and of scopes and standards of nursing practice applicable to state(s) of assignment.

• Utilizes the nursing process with each person supported, assessing their condition, establishing person-centered goals, implementing appropriate nursing interventions and evaluating overall progress, including responses to treatment, to inform updates or changes and improve effectiveness of care.

• Assesses the learning needs of persons supported as it relates to their health care and provides education regarding treatments, special diets, medications, follow-up diagnostic tests and healthy lifestyle information in collaboration with medical providers, if needed.

• Collects data to support assessments of persons supported including taking vital signs, social history, chief complaint(s) and current concerns.

• Triages phone calls from program staff, leadership and/or persons supported during and outside of regular working hours, as applicable to assignment and recommends appropriate actions or destinations (e.g. Urgent Care, Emergency Room etc.), documenting according to protocols; may participate in nursing call list for assigned system(s).

• Observes, records and reports overall condition, reaction to drugs and treatments or complaints received by persons supported to appropriate external medical providers.  

• Documents all calls, correspondence and encounters with people we support in accordance with established guidelines and within appropriate timelines in electronic systems or on paper, as required by applicable regulations

• Writes, reviews and/or updates plans of nursing care, including Plans of Nursing Service (PONS) and other individualized plans of care applicable to assigned program(s) or system(s), for persons supported and regularly completes reports, forms and/or other summary documents in appropriate formats and systems in accordance with all applicable requirements.

• Reviews and documents medical records including diagnostic tests, labs, evaluations or other pertinent clinical information and reports, taking appropriate actions to address health, wellness or medical concerns, sharing medical information with appropriate external providers and interfacing with internal and external parties to support coordination of care in accordance with all established protocols, including during hospitalizations.

• Presents information and responds to inquiries regarding health, conditions and/or status of persons supported in assigned program(s) or system(s) in regularly recurring team or person-specific meetings or as otherwise needed and assists with nursing-related needs in other service settings or systems as requested, which may include participating in meetings, planning, assessments and/or education. 

• Provides oversight of medical care, documentation and systems, including electronic health record (EHR) and medication administration record (eMAR) for assigned caseload through regular training of direct care staff and management regarding individual medical needs including medication information or administration, chronic or other conditions and/or specific care due to current conditions or short-term needs, such as diet or fluid restrictions.

• Provides in-service training and education related to medical treatment and certifications, as well as ongoing oversight of direct care and other staff performing medication administration and assisting with support of complex or specialized medical needs, such as enteral feeding or modified diets, colostomy, ostomy, catheterization, positioning, turning and/or using lifts, for electronic medical record (eMAR) and other nursing-related supports, as required by assigned caseload.

• Participates in intake assessments during the referral process, reviewing medical records and documentation, performing direct observations and/or assessments with the individual and making recommendations to program and/or nursing leadership, as requested.

• Assists in addressing complaints regarding care or incidents reported by or involving staff or providers in community settings (e.g. urgent care, ER, psychiatric wards) in collaboration with appropriate internal and external parties to address and resolve concerns or to coordinate appointments, assessments and observations and supports with addressing audit findings and other issues or concerns for assigned program(s) or system(s), participating in resolution of deficiencies as directed by leadership.

• Participates in residential nursing on-call system on a regularly scheduled, rotational basis or as applicable for assignment to ensure appropriate nursing coverage and response to incidents, inquiries or emergencies including on a 24/7 basis within 30 minutes in accordance with OPWDD guidelines and/or as prescribed for other program, system or agency requirements.

• Keeps abreast of applicable Federal, State and/or Local government regulations and standards, including those applicable to oversight agencies for assigned setting(s), infection control and/or nursing care and completes and maintains all necessary trainings based on assigned system(s) to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and internal policies or procedures.

• Assists with oversight of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) assigned to programs and/or systems where applicable, which may include supporting with clinical issues or insights, directing activities including facilitation of specialized or ad hoc trainings to address corrective actions and/or reviewing or signing off on documentation prepared for persons supported.

• May support with training and mentorship of less experienced or newly hired nursing staff, providing guidance, feedback and education on systems, processes, procedures and specific conditions or specialized care.

• May participate in committees or special projects requiring nursing support or feedback, which may include programs outside of current system(s) or region(s), as requested.

• May lead or participate in the development of medical in-service trainings or assessments for specific content areas such as AMAP, choking and diabetes and/or for specialized programs including START, OMH, etc.  

• Complies with all Federal, State, Local and other relevant regulatory agency requirements, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements including education, experience, licensure/certification, etc. and essential physical capabilities (e.g. lifting, assisting lifting, standing, etc.)

• Valid, active Registered Nursing (RN) license and/or registration to practice as an RN in assigned state of operations (NY or NJ); and

• Holds (or obtains within 90 days of appointment), Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers and maintains for duration of assignment.

• Demonstrates sound clinical judgment in selecting methods and techniques to resolve medical concerns.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, along with the ability to effectively interact with and communicate medical information to persons supported, staff at all levels and circles of support, including external medical providers.

• Ability and willingness to lead, direct and teach program staff on appropriate medical support for persons supported, including medication administration and specialty care for complex or specialized needs, both on-the-job and through formal training in group or individual settings.

• Proficiency with computers and electronic systems, including ability to use or to quickly learn to use applicable equipment, software and/or electronic programs, specifically the electronic medical record, billing and other I/DD-related electronic systems (e.g. Digital Agency), email, Microsoft Office Suite and Workday.

• Highly organized and flexible with the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and meet all applicable requirements and deadlines.

• Must obtain and maintain any additional certifications as required for assigned programs, systems and/or persons supported, which may include Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention – Revised (SCIP-R), Diabetes Care or Train-the-Trainer trainings.

• Ability to regularly report to assigned program(s) and to travel to, from and/or between assigned program(s) as required by regulations and more regularly, if needed based on the needs of persons supported and/or program(s).

• Ability to respond to and/or triage calls regarding medical concerns or emergencies for persons supported in assigned program(s) outside of regularly scheduled working hours and to be on-call, as needed.

• Ability to meet essential physical demands of position including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling and reaching with hands and arms; use hands to handle, finger or feel objects, tools or controls; assisting with lifting/moving individuals of any weight with assistance of mechanical lifts or other equipment and/or pushing individuals in wheelchairs; lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds on occasion; having the physical capacity to work with and implement emergency interventions as per the person’s Behavior Support Plan if/as needed, including lifting/moving individuals of any weight with or without assistance of equipment and/or other staff.

Preferred Qualification Requirements (desired requirements beyond MQRs above)

• Previous nursing experience in any setting (hospital, clinic, etc.).

• Two (2) years of experience supporting people with I/DD, mental health or related needs and/or individuals in crisis in any capacity including in a nursing home, assisted living facility, rehabilitation center and/or setting applicable to assigned caseload.

• Working knowledge of I/DD, related diagnoses and applicable regulations in state of assignment (OPWDD, DDD, etc.).

Compensation

• $85,000 to $95,000 annually

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran. YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To ensure fairness, safeguard transparency, and promote an equitable workforce environment, YAI Network prohibits the practice of nepotism in the workforce and hiring process.