Registered Nurse

JOB TITLE:  Registered Nurse

JOB PURPOSE:

Under general supervision, the Registered Nurse is responsible for the medical management of all people receiving support from The Arc Southern Chesapeake. The ideal candidate will be responsible for delivering care to those assigned to their care using the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, implementation, and evaluation. The candidate will also interact with the individuals, families, staff members, and other health team members associated with The Arc Southern Chesapeake while maintaining standards of professional nursing.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversees Case Management and delegating nursing tasks, including administration of medications.
• Assures HIPAA compliance regarding protected health information of people receiving supports from The Arc.
• Sets priorities for nursing action in a logical sequence according to the needs of the individual; formulates a plan of care by the appropriate selection of Nurse Practice Standards.  Performs ongoing assessment and revise plan of care based on new data and the individual’s condition.
• Conducts, at a minimum, 45-day monitoring of each assigned consumer, including, but not limited to:
  • Reviewing Medication Administration Record (MAR). Checking prescriptions to assure that all information is identical, accurate and transcribed correctly.   Signing of MARs.
  • Completes nursing assessments in a timely manner.
  • Assures compliance with the correct administration of all medications and treatments as ordered by physician.
  • Coordinates the reporting of any medication errors/omissions to his/her supervisor and physician of the person receiving services.
  • Advises staff regarding expected and adverse effects of medications and signs to observe in the people taking the medication.
  • Observes staff twice per year administering and charting medications.
  • Maintains a file on each person for Monthly Psychotropic Medication Reviews and 90 Day Medication Reviews and assures compliance.  Assures that dates of Medication Review appointments are documented on appropriate forms.
  • Completes written report on each site surveyed outlining problems, concerns and solutions for deficiencies.
  • Monitors MARs monthly for the agency’s CQI efforts.
• Prepares necessary protocols and provides training to consumers and staff on how to use them (e.g., glucose monitoring, g-tube, colostomy, etc.)
• Counts and records all medications monthly.  Monitors errors.  Follows-up, as necessary, with staff making frequent medication errors.
• Counsels people receiving services regarding health issues (e.g., medical procedures, birth control, STD’s, medications, etc.).  Monitors and records data at least once every 45 days.
• Serves as a liaison, working with community facilities and providers of medical care in order to facilitate communication and establish working relationships.
• Conducts in-service training to all staff, including, but not limited to, seizure management, bloodborne pathogens and medication administration.
• Counsels employees after possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens in accordance with personnel guideline #1140.
• Guides staff in their communication with physicians and other health care professionals about concerns and treatment results.
• Receives telephone calls from staff for all PRN medications.
• Works cooperatively with medical suppliers like ALCO on the coordination of medication and benefits.
• Attends meetings, as necessary, for people receiving services from The Arc (e.g., team planning meetings, medication reviews, hospital discharge meetings, DDA regional meeting, etc.).

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• RN Degree from an accredited nursing school and/or college.

• Meet all necessary licensing requirements, qualifications and possess a valid nursing license in the State of Maryland

JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

•    Has the ability and willingness to accept emergency phone calls and respond to emergencies twenty-four hours a day.

•    Has the ability to be on call 24/7, as assigned.

•    Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends.

•    Demonstrated knowledge of state regulations, requirements, and licensing.

•    Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills.

•    Has a good command of the English language both oral and written.

•    Has the ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.

•    Is well organized and self-directed, and a team player.

•    Possesses a proficiency in computer-based software, e.g. Excel, Word and Access.

•    Possesses a valid driving license with a good driving record, Possesses the ability to be forward thinking and creative.

•    Possesses the ability to pass the criminal background check mandated by the State of Maryland

•    Possesses both an interest and ability for working with people with developmental disabilities.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY SPECIFICATIONS (PHYSICAL DEMANDS)

•    The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit for long periods of time; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  Usual office working conditions. The RN must be able to travel in the Tri-County area at any Arc locations and be responsible for his/her own transportation.  The RN may be exposed to virus, disease and infection from individuals receiving supports.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

•    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions.

•    The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The Arc Southern Chesapeake is a drug-free employer. All offers of employment will be contingent on a successful background check. The Arc Southern Chesapeake is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, religious and or political beliefs. We recruit, employ, retain, compensate, train, promote, discipline, terminate and treat all employees and job applicants based solely on qualification, performance, and competence.