DDA RN

Overview: Under the administrative supervision of the Director of Nursing functions as the direct care DDA RN for persons assigned. Evaluates and advises regarding clients' health needs, and trains, monitors, and delegates nursing responsibilities to direct care staff. The pay rate for this position is negotiable.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides care unique to improving the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Performs special nursing services, including first aid, injections, enemas, and dressing changes.
• Abides by all relevant regulations of the DDS particularly with regard to delegating nursing responsibilities to direct care staff and assuring their competency to perform nursing tasks by periodic monitoring.
• Assesses clients' health needs by:
• Performs health checks (see form) on a regular basis (bi-weekly, monthly, etc., as determined by the individual's team)
• Communicates concerns and corrective measures via initial, annual, as-needed-updated Nursing Assessments and memos;
• Visits and assesses hospitalized persons ensuring that all needed services can be provided upon discharge from the inpatient facility prior to the persons return to the residence.
• Oversees the administration of medications by observing each staff person administer medications at least every 30 days and reviewing MARS minimally at the end of each month. Ensures that medications per physician's orders are reviewed in a timely fashion.
• As needed, administers the first dosage of a person's new medications, assures that staff understand all aspects of administering medications, and assure that correct, current medications appear on the MARS and match current Physicians' Orders.
• Completes routine nursing assessments; and
• Reviews medical summaries, recommendations and follow-up and other medical paperwork (blood work, other lab work, appointment records, Medication Administration Records (MARS), seizure records, etc.) assuring that any corrective plans (e.g. problematic lab work) are communicated to all involved parties (staff, MD, etc.)
• Provides training to direct care staff (as a group and individually) and administrative staff as needed and requested. Training would include (but is not limited to) in services on the Plan of Care, Nursing Assessments, blood borne pathogens, Universal Precautions, drug references, medication administration, and care of persons receiving specific treatments or in need of special precautions (e.g. seizures, shunts).
• Advises relevant staff with regards to the findings of the health checks and assures recommendations for needed services are scheduled with appropriate specialists or evaluated by the individual's primary care physician for treatment or referral.
• Advises individuals and direct care staff regarding following prescribed diets and other health care issues.
• Performs special nursing services as needed (e.g. nail trimming, first aid) or as ordered by a physician (e.g. injections, enemas, dressing changes, etc.).
• Communicates with persons' physicians as needed to assure that accurate information is provided to the physician and that needed orders are followed and available for the physician (e.g. blood work). Visits and assesses hospitalized persons assuring that all needed services can be provided upon discharge from the inpatient facility prior to the person's return to the residence.
• Performs other medical duties and tasks as assigned by the President or his designee. Carries and responds to beeper to assure that staff with medical concern about persons can quickly access professional advice.
• Develops and manage medical records
• Writes , revises, and updates the plan of care
• Completes Client Health Records prior to annual physical.
• Develops/revises protocols for PRN meds, chest pain, abnormal lab values, day program meds, medication verbal orders, etc. Assures that Physician's orders for annual lab work are completed prior to annual physicals.

Qualifications:

• A licensed registered nurse in Maryland with a current license.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• The use of a vehicle and a valid Driver's license.
• Experience in various medical and nursing areas to provide holistic care to persons.

Departmental Expectations:

No remote work – In person only

Less than 40 hours work per week

Join our team of dedicated professionals committed to providing exceptional patient care while making a positive impact in the community!

Job Types: Part-time, Contract, PRN

Medical Specialty:

• Emergency Medicine
• Psychiatry

Physical Setting:

• Long term care
• Rehabilitation center

Work Location: In person