Nurse - RN/LPN

GENERAL SUMMARY 

As a member of the nursing and care management team, provides nursing services to facilitate the screening of new foster homes and participants; assists with matching and placement services and maintains services to participants, as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS*

• Provides oversight to caregivers in nursing care of participant; coordinates participant care with local home health agencies; educates, supervises and evaluates caregivers in care of program participants; participates in ongoing supervision of participants in homes via regular outreach visits.
• Provides professional nursing services within established department policies and procedures.
• Screens and assesses referrals for services in conjunction with case management staff; obtains approval for referrals assessed to be appropriate.  Operates within the scope of professional nursing ethics and practice.
• Develops a care plan for participants; reviews plan of care with the participant and caregiver; provides ongoing evaluation and revision semi-annually or on an as needed basis.
• Assists in the development, implementation and evaluation of home caregiver training sessions.
• Records and maintains accurate and timely case records.
• Prepares and submits detailed documentation for Adult Foster Care consideration; meets with guardians, doctors and relevant parties, as needed.
• Prepares and submits individual service plan (ISP) goals and assessments for individuals funded by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
• Provides on-call coverage on nights and weekends, as scheduled.
• Maintains professional growth and development through approved seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations.
• Provides consultation to management with respect to health care policies for the program.
• Serves as a mandated reporter of suspected cases of abuse and/or neglect to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC).

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs additional duties, as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

• Total Quality Management:  Is dedicated to providing the highest quality services which meet the needs and requirements of internal and external customers; is committed to continuous improvement through empowerment and performance management; creates a learning environment leading to the most efficient and effective work processes.
• Adaptability:  Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; inspires others to be adaptable to change.
• Ethics, Values and Diversity:  Promotes an appropriate and effective work environment and strives to ensure that the agency’s core values and beliefs are applied during all circumstances; genuinely cares about people; deals effectively with all races, nationalities, cultures, disabilities, ages, lifestyle choices and genders; supports equal and fair treatment and opportunity for all; adheres to and promotes the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); advocates for the rights and interests of individuals with disabilities to maximize their potential in the programs and communities of their choice.
• Integrity and Trust:  Is respectful, truthful, and transparent; keeps confidences; takes ownership and responsibility for decisions and outcomes.
• Problem Solving and Judgment:  Probes all useful and constructive sources to find pertinent answers; can analyze issues, identify problems and work toward appropriate solutions; collaborates with others or as part of a team; displays willingness to make decisions; makes timely decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
• Oral and Written Communications:  Speaks clearly, appropriately and effectively with a diverse group of individuals; is an active listener and gets clarification when necessary; participates constructively in meetings; is able to write clearly and succinctly; is able to communicate clearly in a variety of settings and situations.

PREPARATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Registered Nurse licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
• Minimum 2 years prior nursing experience in the direct care of the elderly or disabled adults.
• Must be compassionate and patient.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• No formal supervisory responsibility.                                                                                                                       

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Frequent sitting, standing and walking.
• Ability to sit for prolonged period of time in a car travelling from location to location.