The Program RN is responsible to manage the health, safety and well being of developmentally disabled clients in residential and day program facilities. The RN also maintains a 24 hour accountability of the residential clients via an RN On-Call System.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Serves as the health care representative for the assigned program.

1. Create a nurturing, positive learning environment and develop strategies to help the clients cope effectively with social, emotional and physical situations of daily living and facilitate independent performance in these areas.

1. Conduct self in a professional manner when interacting with participants, supervisors, co-workers, families, medical profession and members of the community.

1. Participate in training opportunities (in-service training, staff meetings, conferences, etc.), as required; maintain all required training per agency policy and DDS regulatory requirement.

1. Familiarize oneself with CRI policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with same.

1. Submits written annual and quarterly healthcare reviews with recommendations for future needs for the clients’ IP and participates in the IP and quarterly meetings.

1. Develops the clients’ quarterly healthcare reviews and monitors follow through of IP healthcare recommendations.

1. Conduct quarterly physical assessments on ICF/ID clients.

1. On a regular basis, reviews the following:

1. scheduled appointments for clients
2. relevant documentation of medical visits
3. medical notes and consults for each client
4. administration of clients’ medications according to CRI policies and procedures and state and federal guidelines

1. Responsible for follow through of all health care needs.

1. Responsible to monitor for proper documentation of medications on monthly Medication Administration Record.

1. Attends medical appointments as necessary.

1. Conduct complete DDS medication audit at least quarterly. Monitors the in-house CRI medication audits and ensures follow-up on issues.

1. Reviews all medication errors on a continuous basis. Follows medication sanction policy 929 and notifies all appropriate staff immediately of errors; responsible to ensure proper retraining of staff after errors.

1. Ensures that program staff is following all appropriate state and federal guidelines relevant to the operation of an ICF-ID/CLA group home, CRS/SLA and day programs.

1. Participates in the destruction of all controlled medications as per CRI policy and procedures.

1. Inspects all healthcare files and medical supplies to ensure compliance with CRI policies and procedures and state regulations.

1. Provides in-service training for staff in areas of medication administration, First Aid, seizures, signs/symptoms, communicable diseases, emergency notification systems; identifies and provides training in all other identified medically related areas as needed.

1. Functions as a healthcare resource person for their designated programs and provides support to staff in determining approaches to take, in relation to the health management of clients.

1. Serves as a healthcare support for staff in group homes as necessary on an on-call basis; becomes familiar with all client medical and behavioral needs and the effective utilization of emergency services at the local and state levels.

1. Functions as the healthcare liaison with the client’s health care provider; responsible to communicate on a regular basis with health care providers to ensure excellence in the management of the client’s health status.

1. Meets on a regular basis with the group home manager to facilitate the implementation of health care services at the facility. Seeks guidance from the DNS, ADNS, Program Director and therapy specialist (OT, PT, Dietician) as needed.

1. Trains and supports new LPN-in-training candidates and newly hired LPN’s.

1. Reports, in a timely manner, any out of the ordinary healthcare issues to the ADNS, DNS and Program Director.

1. Maintains confidentiality inside and outside the agency in all aspects of consumer’s needs/problems and any issues that arise in any of the programs and adheres to CRI’s confidentiality policy

1. Maintains confidentiality inside and outside the agency regarding any issues concerning another employee of CRI.

1. Communicates to the ADNS and/or DNS any problems or concerns with another employee while maintaining confidentiality for all individuals involved.

1. Provides information to the DNS and ADNS whenever necessary and on a weekly basis via twice monthly report.

1. Communicates with the DNS and the training department any problems/questions with sanctions for medication certified staff in order to provide consistency in the sanctions.

1. Ensures program staff receive medical orientation in-servicing at the program site in a timely fashion. Forwards records of training to the appropriate departments as indicated on the orientation form.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

1. Current CT RN License
2. Must possess a valid CT driver’s license, be able to drive own and agency vehicles and have a good driving record.
3. Must have reliable transportation.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

1. Possess good to excellent oral and written communication skills.

2. Demonstrate thoroughness and follow through on daily work assignments.

3. Display motivation and interest in improving quality of life for the population served.

4. Demonstrate and maintain an optimistic attitude, patience, and compassion for and with the population served.

5. Demonstrate the ability to organize and prioritize medical responsibilities to completion.

6. Experience with working with the DD population preferred but not required.

EDUCATION

Must be a graduate of an accredited Registered Nursing program and possess a current CT RN license. License will be renewed independently and copy provided to the agency.