Community Health Nurse RN

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.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

*External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.