Registered Nurse

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $47-49 per hour

Work Location: In person

Job description:

Home and Community Connections is seeking a Registered Nurse to join our team. This unique position provides medical oversight and coordination of health services, staff training, and assists as a MAP consultant. Position requirements include an active Massachusetts RN license, a minimum of three years of nursing experience, familiarity with medical issues relevant to aging persons and persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and be familiar with the medical needs of individuals with autism. Must be self-directed and a team player, have strong communication, organizational and time management skills, and have a current driver’s license and reliable transportation. This is a 40-hour per week position (exempt salary) with potential for some flexibility to accommodate evenings or possible weekend training needs.

Essential Position Functions

General Health and Wellness needs oversight:

• Make visits to meet with people supported in their homes, along with their support staff. Visits focused on assessment, education, and updates.
• Respond to calls from people supported, staff members, and managers. Communicate with medical personnel regarding person supported medical or clinical issues through hospice, rehab, respite, office visits, and discussions, or by telephone calls.
• Instruct staff members to carry out proper medical care as needed.
• Review Therap (electronic records system) daily to obtain needed medical information.
• Make routine scheduled visits to meet with staff, answer questions, educate, and assess those supported. Make visits to individuals as complex medical needs warrant.

Medication Education and Provision Oversight:

• Develop a knowledge base of Department of Public Health regulations, MAP regulations, and H&CC policies.
• Perform medication audits in accordance with MAP policy
• Review completed tests/evaluations or lab tests if available. Communicate with the physician if questions arise in regard to the result or if further clarification is needed
• When a person is admitted to the hospital, the RN will serve as liaison between hospital staff and H&CC staff members, working closely with Managers and Directors. He/she will also update and seek guidance as appropriate from DDS nursing staff.
• Work with hospital discharge planner to ensure smooth transition to home or rehab for person supported, including identifying level of staffing needed, proper orders, equipment, and VNA referral, if applicable.

Education and Training:

• Plan, design, and implement various training programs for staff members relative to health care procedures for individuals supported.
• Identify the unique health needs of people supported and educate staff members of such.
• Act as a consultant/trainer to people supported as well as staff members on issues of sexuality and health across the lifespan.
• Participate in recognizing/maintaining a safe workplace environment by identifying and addressing health-related safety hazards/issues.
• Attend and advise staff team meeting where indicated, i.e., training of new equipment, complicated or new diagnosis, MAP updated, etc.
• Instructing staff members to carry out medical care as ordered; i.e., vital signs, glucometer, use, etc.

Family and External Relations:

• Respond to family members who have medical questions or concerns. Give updates to family/guardians, as indicated in regards to individual’s health; provide family education where needed.
• Act as liaison between person supported and medical personnel where necessary; supplement Directors and Managers’ knowledge related to medical issues; advocate within medical systems for optimal care.
• Advocate for medical support as a person’s health condition changes, and as the individual’s need for support decreases or increases.

Miscellaneous:

• Promote a healthy environment and propose suggested system enhancements relative to meeting consumers’ health needs (e.g., a hospital bed, lift, bathroom equipment for safety, etc.)
• Participate in clinical team assessments and recommendations
• Attend various meetings within H&CC and with other organizations, associates, etc.

Experience:

• Nursing: 4 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• BLS Certification (Preferred)
• RN (Preferred)