Clinical Nursing Coordinator-Agency RN

Job Description

Job Description:\n\n The Clinical Nursing Coordinator serves as the agency-wide clinical resource for CareSpot, providing nursing oversight and direct nursing care across all residential group homes and the DTA center. This role owns the weekly medication management audit process at every location, serves as the primary clinical point of contact for Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) investigative nurses, partners with the contracted pharmacy vendor on safe disposal of discontinued and expired medications, delivers wound care and other skilled nursing interventions, and supports the health and safety needs of both members and staff. The Agency RN operates within the scope of practice defined by the State Board of Nursing and in accordance with DDD regulations, agency policy, and each member's Individualized Service Plan (ISP) and Nursing Care Plan. ResponsibilitiesMedication Management & AuditingConduct and document a weekly medication management audit at every CareSpot group home and at the DTA center.Reconcile Medication Administration Records (MARs) against physician orders, pharmacy labels, and on-hand counts; identify and correct discrepancies.Verify controlled substance counts, storage, security, and shift-to-shift documentation.Track and trend medication errors, near-misses, and omissions; complete incident reports and submit them through required internal and DDD reporting channels within mandated timeframes.Develop corrective action plans in response to audit findings and verify remediation at the following audit cycle.Review new, changed, and discontinued orders for accuracy; ensure transcription onto MARs is correct and timely.Monitor medication supply levels and coordinate refills, prior authorizations, and pharmacy communication to prevent gaps in administration.Regulatory, DDD & Investigative ResponseServe as the agency's clinical liaison to DDD investigative nurses, responding to inquiries, information requests, and records requests promptly and accurately.Prepare, compile, and submit clinical documentation for investigations, licensing reviews, and quality assurance surveys.Participate in interviews, site visits, and exit conferences with DDD, licensing bodies, and other regulatory authorities.Draft and implement plans of correction for nursing-related findings and monitor them through to closure.Maintain agency readiness for unannounced audits by keeping health records, MARs, and nursing documentation survey-ready at all times.Ensure compliance with HIPAA, state nurse practice act, DDD standards, and all applicable licensing regulations.Pharmacy Vendor Partnership & Medication DisposalServe as the primary point of contact with the contracted pharmacy vendor for ordering, delivery issues, packaging, cycle fills, and clinical questions.Coordinate the safe, compliant destruction and disposal of discontinued and expired medications, including controlled substances, in accordance with DEA, state, and agency requirements.Maintain complete disposal logs with required witness signatures and retain documentation per record-retention policy.Conduct routine sweeps of medication storage areas at all sites to remove expired, discontinued, or improperly labeled medications.Evaluate pharmacy vendor performance and escalate recurring service concerns to agency leadership.Direct Nursing CareProvide wound care, including assessment, staging, treatment, dressing changes, and documentation of healing progress; escalate non-healing or deteriorating wounds to the physician.Perform nursing assessments and health screenings for members.Measure, record, and monitor members' vital signs — including temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, weight, and blood glucose as ordered — and document all readings in the member's health record within the required timeframe.Establish baseline vital sign parameters for each member, identify readings outside of established parameters, and initiate the appropriate clinical response and provider notification.Train and monitor direct support staff on accurate vital sign measurement, recording, and reporting thresholds.Deliver or oversee skilled nursing interventions within RN scope of practice as ordered by the treating provider.Respond to acute changes in condition, illness, and injury; triage and coordinate emergency care, urgent care, or hospital transport as clinically indicated.Provide first aid and health guidance to staff for workplace injuries and exposures; coordinate with workers' compensation processes as needed.Support infection prevention and control practices agency-wide, including outbreak response.Health Record Oversight & Care CoordinationDevelop, review, and update Nursing Care Plans, health risk assessments, and nursing assessments for each member on the required schedule and upon any change in condition.Ensure all member health records are complete, accurate, and current in the ECP application, including the electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR), nursing notes, vital sign entries, treatment records, and health-related event documentation.Enter, update, and discontinue physician orders in ECP promptly upon receipt; verify that the eMAR reflects current orders at all times and that no order is administered from an unverified entry.Audit ECP/eMAR entries for missed administrations, late entries, blank cells, and documentation errors; follow up with staff and supervisors for correction.Maintain current immunization records, physician and specialist visit summaries, lab and diagnostic results, consultation forms, allergy lists, diagnoses, and appointment documentation in ECP.Train direct support staff and group home managers on correct ECP/eMAR use and documentation standards; troubleshoot user and system issues with the vendor or agency administrator.Coordinate physician, specialist, dental, psychiatric, and lab appointments; ensure follow-up orders are obtained, communicated, and implemented.Communicate health status changes to guardians, support coordinators, day program staff, and the interdisciplinary team.Participate in ISP meetings and interdisciplinary team meetings as the nursing representative.Staff Training & Clinical SupervisionTrain, evaluate, and document competency of Direct Support Professionals in medication administration in accordance with state and DDD requirements.Provide ongoing in-service education on topics such as medication safety, infection control, seizure protocols, choking/aspiration risk, diabetes management, wound prevention, and recognizing changes in condition.Deliver member-specific health training and protocols to staff at all sites.Serve as the on-call clinical resource for staff questions and after-hours nursing consultation.Retrain and re-certify staff following medication errors or identified competency gaps.Operational Coverage & Shift SupportCover shifts for Group Home Managers during vacancies, planned leave, callouts, and emergencies, assuming responsibility for site operations for the duration of the coverage period.While covering, oversee daily household operations including staffing coverage, member schedules, meal and nutrition oversight, transportation arrangements, appointment attendance, and household safety.Supervise on-shift direct support staff during coverage periods, including assigning duties, verifying documentation completion, and addressing performance or safety concerns in the moment.Ensure incident reporting, shift-change communication, and required daily documentation are completed accurately during covered shifts.Provide orientation, mentoring, and clinical guidance to Group Home Managers on health-related site responsibilities on an ongoing basis.Assist with emergency drills, evacuation planning, and site readiness reviews.DDD Group Home Nursing RequirementsComplete and maintain Nursing Assessments, Health Risk Screening/Assessment tools, and individualized Nursing Care Plans on the schedule required by DDD and upon any significant change in condition.Develop and maintain member-specific health protocols — including seizure, diabetes, aspiration/choking, constipation and bowel management, behavioral health, allergy/anaphylaxis, and fall-risk protocols — and train staff on each.Complete nurse delegation and staff medication administration certification, observation, and annual re-certification in accordance with state and DDD requirements.Conduct required quarterly and annual health reviews and summaries, and prepare nursing input for ISP development, annual reviews, and interdisciplinary team meetings.Ensure completion of annual physicals, dental exams, vision and hearing screenings, gynecological and preventive screenings, immunizations, and required lab work for each member; track due dates and follow up on missed appointments.Complete and submit required Unusual Incident Reports (UIRs) and health-related incident documentation within DDD-mandated timeframes, and participate in incident review and follow-up.Monitor and document members' nutritional status, weight trends, hydration, elimination, and dietary or texture-modification orders in coordination with dietitians and providers.Oversee proper storage, labeling, security, and temperature control of medications and medical supplies at every site.Support hospital admissions, discharges, and transitions of care, including discharge order reconciliation and communication of new orders to all sites.Maintain infection control practices, communicable disease reporting, and outbreak response consistent with DDD and public health requirements.Maintain nursing licensure, continuing education, and all agency- and DDD-required trainings and clearances in current status.Perform any additional nursing duties required of a licensed nurse in a DDD-licensed group home or day program setting.Quality Improvement & Other DutiesAnalyze health and medication data across all locations to identify trends and drive quality improvement initiatives.Contribute to the development and revision of nursing policies, procedures, and health-related protocols.Participate in agency committees, including safety, quality assurance, and human rights committees as assigned.Support all areas of CareSpot services with nursing expertise as needs arise.Perform any other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management. Management reserves the right to assign, modify, or reassign responsibilities at any time based on agency, program, member, or regulatory needs. Minimum QualificationsCurrent, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of practice, in good standing.Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program (required minimum education).Minimum of two (2) years of clinical nursing experience; experience with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) strongly preferred.Demonstrated competency in wound care assessment and treatment.Working knowledge of medication administration standards, controlled substance handling, and MAR documentation.Current CPR/BLS certification (or ability to obtain prior to start).Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance; must be able to travel between all agency locations.Ability to pass a criminal background check, fingerprint clearance, abuse/neglect registry check, and any pre-employment health screening and drug test required by the agency or DDD.Proficiency with electronic health record systems; experience with the ECP application and eMAR strongly preferred (training provided if not currently proficient).Willingness and availability to cover Group Home Manager shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as operational needs require.Preferred QualificationsPrior experience in a group home, DTA, day program, or community-based IDD setting.Direct experience responding to DDD investigations, licensing surveys, or regulatory audits.Experience conducting medication audits or leading a quality assurance function.Experience training and evaluating unlicensed staff in medication administration.Certification in wound care Knowledge, Skills & AbilitiesStrong clinical judgment and the ability to work autonomously with minimal direct supervision across multiple sites.Meticulous documentation skills and attention to detail in audit and regulatory contexts.Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with investigators, regulators, physicians, pharmacists, guardians, members, and direct support staff.Skill in teaching clinical content to non-clinical audiences.Strong organizational and time-management skills; able to manage a recurring multi-site audit schedule alongside urgent clinical demands.Sound judgment in handling confidential health information and sensitive investigative matters.Commitment to person-centered care, dignity, and the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities. Physical & Working ConditionsTravel between residential locations and the DTA center throughout the workweek.Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and reach for extended periods while providing care.Ability to lift and/or assist with transfers up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.Potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens, communicable disease, and behavioral incidents; adherence to universal precautions required.Availability for on-call and occasional evening or weekend response to nursing emergencies.Full-time, with on-call availability for nursing emergencies and after-hours clinical consultation