Area Medication Administration Program Consultant - Registered Nurse IV - On Grounds Program

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Taunton, MA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Mental Health Southeast Area's On Grounds Adult Residential Program is seeking a dynamic Registered Nurse to support the 24/7 staffed, adult group living environment within a 47-bed State-operated program. The RN IV manages the healthcare of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, problematic sexualized behavior, and/or other high-risk behavioral problems. This role provides consultation to direct care staff, serves as an advocate, oversees the Medication Administration Program (MAP) for the On Grounds Program, and performs ongoing training and support to licensed and certified staff. The position also provides routine and emergency medical care, ensures appropriate medical linkages to community treatment providers, and completes all PHA accurately and timely. Additionally, this role serves as the Southeast Area MAP Consultant to state-operated Residential and ACCS programs, providing initial MAP certification training, consultation, and leadership in curriculum development and standardization of annual trainings, special trainings, and recertifications for staff within the Southeast Area.

Requirements

Knowledge of the principles and practices of nursing.
Knowledge of the principles and correct usage of the English language including grammar, spelling, sentence structure, word meaning and punctuation.
Knowledge of first aid techniques.
Knowledge of custodial care problems (personal hygiene, diets, grooming, and dressing) of special resident groups such as psychiatrically impaired individuals.
Knowledge of standard nursing methods and techniques followed in the application of medical and/or surgical dressings.
Knowledge of the terminology, symbols and standard abbreviations used in medical practice.
Knowledge of the types and application of emergency medical procedures such as cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Knowledge of the techniques followed in collecting blood and urine samples from patients for diagnostic purposes.
Knowledge of nursing practices and procedures relative to psychiatry.
Knowledge of human anatomy as applied to nursing.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain harmonious working relationships.
Ability to effectively deal with physical and verbal abuse from residents
Ability to effectively communicate orally and in a written format.
Ability to work as a member of a team and individually.
Ability to motivate residents.
Ability to be creative in developing treatment plans and activities for residents.
Ability to exercise patience, empathy and understanding.
Current and valid registration as a professional nurse under the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Recent graduates from an approved school of nursing must have applied for the first available registered nurse examination.
Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license may be required.
Two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience as a registered nurse in a recognized hospital, clinic or medical facility.
Of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory, administrative or managerial capacity.

Nice To Haves

MAP Trainer
Knowledge of Medication Administration Program.
First Aid and CPR Trainer
Experience working with individuals with mental illness and co-occurring disorders.
Experience transitioning individuals from inpatient setting through stages to more independent living.
Experience working in a 24/7 residential program for adults with mental illness.
Supervision of a multi-disciplinary team.

Responsibilities

Understands all DMH regulations and program procedures pertaining to Adult Residential services by mastery of the program and agency manuals and under the supervision of the Program Director or designee to ensure that quality care is provided and that services are provided in compliance with DMH polices, regulations, and procedures.
Functions as the On Grounds Residential program’s RN providing nursing oversight, consultation, and problem solving to the program’s LPNs and MAP Certified Staff across seven 24/7 supervised state operated GLEs, all shifts.
Provides care to individuals served by the program by utilizing a Person-Centered Approach within a recovery model of care.
May provide direct skilled nursing care to individuals served by the On Grounds Residential program; may attend medical appointments with individuals who have medically complex and/or unstable conditions and/or provide guidance and training to those direct care staff who attend these appointments; and may, per the Board of Registration in Nursing guidelines, provide emergency/episodic care to individuals when needed.
Upon admission, completes/designates the initial record review for each individual to identify her/his health need and establish related care plans.
With On Grounds Program clinical staff and directly with persons served, consults on and assists staff in the development of all Initial and Annual Comprehensive Assessments and Individual Action Plans.
Determine when additional staffing may be needed to support the medical needs of person served.
May confer with medical, administrative and other staff as needed to determine the health status and needs of individuals served by the On Grounds Residential program and reviews records on a regular basis to ensure adequate services and supports are provided, referrals are obtained as needed, immunizations are current, health screenings and diagnostic tests are done as appropriate.
Periodically reviews the health status of individuals by observing and interviewing individuals, examining documents, and making recommendations. When necessary, will ensure that care and services are adjusted in conjunction with other providers.
Identifies, evaluates, and responds to changes in the condition of persons served, documenting, any changes in behavior which might require clinical and or medical intervention and may provide 1:1 support as needed, request assessment by the local crisis team or emergency room as appropriate, and can advocate for and facilitate meetings of providers in order to address behavioral and treatment needs of individuals served by the On Grounds Residential program.
When providing care, responsible for all administrative, medical, and clinical record documentation requirements for the On Grounds program by recording in the individual’s record and by submitting information in a thorough and timely manner so that other service providers/staff are aware of all treatment interventions provided and so that the medical record is in compliance with DMH and program standards.
Provides MAP consultation to On Grounds Residential staff; visits each of the programs group living environments (GLEs) on a regular basis to determine if there is compliance with MAP regulations, makes recommendations to correct any non-compliance if noted, and immediately addresses any item(s) that are not in compliance and that pose a risk to any individual served.
Ensures that all reported medication occurrences within the On Grounds program are reviewed in a timely fashion and that the Medication Occurrence Reports (MOR’s) within the program are reviewed at least on a quarterly basis and that all Hotline MOR’s are reviewed within 24 hours of the medication occurrence.
Conducts quality assurance reviews for each On Grounds GLE by completing all requirements of the MAP Technical Assistance Tool and reviewing the findings of each oversight visit with the Program Director.
As a member of the program’s Leadership Team, demonstrates professional ethics, acts as a positive role model, participates in staff meetings, medication reviews, clinical reviews, and establishes and maintains a strong and respectful professional relationship with program leadership and direct care staff.
Functions as the liaison for the On Grounds program to the assigned Infection Control Nurse.
Conducts or coordinates First Aid, CPR, Fit Testing, and all medically relevant trainings.
With the Southeast Director of Learning and Development, serves as the Southeast Area MAP Consultant to State operated residential and ACCS programs by providing initial MAP certification training to all newly hired staff as well as remedial training and support to State operated programs and providing consultation to these programs as requested.
With the Southeast Director of Learning and Development, has a leadership role with other designated MAP Consultant RNs for each Site/Facility in developing curriculum and by standardizing annual training, special trainings, and recertifications for staff of each state run residential and ACCS program within the Southeast Area.
Demonstrates technical competency in all aspects of MAP while demonstrating the skills necessary to train staff, provide staff with direction, provide role modeling, and provide appropriate learning experiences to those Area staff requiring MAP Certification upon first hire.
Consults with the Area MAP Coordinator for technical assistance as needed when questions arise regarding training needs, current standards of MAP practice, and interpretation of policies developed by DPH and DMH.
Collaborates with RNs and MAP supervisory staff throughout the Area state run residential and ACCS programs to identify MAP related issues and makes recommendations for steps to address issues and/or improve quality of MAP programing.
Assures that each Area state run residential and ACCS program is conducting ongoing Quality Assurance Reviews and utilizing the MAP Technical Assistance Tool including providing periodic reports to Area leadership.
Responsible for attending Area and Site/Facility specific meetings, hearings, answering inquiries, and for providing information, preparing reports, and preparing correspondence as needed.
Upon request or as needed will prepare and/or maintain case records, narrative reports, statistical reports and other records as required by the Area or in response to requests by Site and Facility Program Directors.
Collects data regarding specific needs of individuals served and/or the ongoing training needs of Area and Site/Facility MAP certified staff.
Enters training data and attendance into the Commonwealth’s Learning Management System in a timely and reliable way.
Visits each state run residential and ACCS program as needed.