RN Health Specialist - Residential Services Program

Reports to: Director of Residential Services

Rate of pay: $30.77 - $34.36 per hour

Work schedule: Full-time, weekdays

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for directing the health of people supported in line with regulations, agency policies, quality assurance, and personal choice of the people supported.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Ensure the medical needs of people supportedin our Individualized Residental Alternative (IRA) houses are met, acting as liaison and advocate with the medical community to ensure the best quality of health of people supported.
• Accompany people supported to medical appointments as needed.
• Develop and update care plans, training staff in all health issues.
• Conduct initial and annual self-medication assessments and conduct weekly visits to certified sites to inspect medication storage area.
• Perform monthly evaluations of medication administration by staff.
• Monitor the health of people supported by evaluating nutrition, assessing health concerns, and ensuring receipt of appropriate medications with follow-up to resolve areas of concern.
• Review and update medication profiles at least monthly.
• Verify that current physicians’ orders are obtained and filed in supported person’s records and that pharmaceutical reviews are accurately completed every six months.
• Participate as a member of the screening team to identify suitable people in need of services to fill vacancies in programs.
• Report all potential abuse and incidents per OPWDD regulations.
• Inform Residential Supervisors of the needs of people supported and staff concerns.
• Participate in on-call responsibilities regarding medical concerns of people supported.
• Attend meetings, conferences, and workshops as requested.
• Work a flexible schedule to ensure the needs of people supported are met, and staff training is completed, including but not limited to medication administration and observed medication pours with staff.
• Document and submit required paperwork in a timely manner.
• Make a minimum of one visit per week to all supportive and supervised IRAs.
• Develop plans for nursing care and implement and train employees on plans.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

• NYS Registered Nurse certification.
• Experience in the field of MRDD preferred.
• NYS driver’s license.
• Acceptable motor vehicle abstract to meet Agency insurability standards.
• Reliable personal vehicle for business use.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs, transfer and support the people served with and without help, and push and pull carts, wheelchairs and beds.
• Physical strength to subdue a person receiving services to prevent their injury or personal injury.
• Ability to operate personal and Agency vehicles.
• Ability to walk and stand for extended periods of time.
• Regular exposure to infectious diseases, blood and airborne pathogens, needle sticks, hygiene issues, odors.
• Ability to read digital readouts, recognize colors, and operate necessary medical equipment.
• Ability to operate mechanical devices used by people served.
• Ability to wear necessary hospital masks, gowns, gloves, and close-toed shoes.

Benefits:

Cerebral Palsy Association / Community Health Center of the North Country offers eligible employees excellent, affordable benefits options. Options include medical, dental, and vision insurance, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Term Life/AD&D insurance, long-term and short-term disability, 401(k), and other elective programs. We also offer generous time off, including vacation, personal, and sick time, as well as paid holidays.