Area Office Nurse

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Walpole, MA

14d

About The Position

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is seeking experienced and highly motivated candidates for the position of Registered Nurse (RN) IV. The RN IV provides professional nursing consultation, education, training, resource identification and advocacy for individuals with Developmental Disabilities, their families, DDS staff and provider staff in the area. The RN participates in clinical assessments; risk reviews, nursing home evaluations, hospital evaluations, and discharge planning; completes Mortality Reviews; participates in medication reviews in accordance with MAP. The RN is available to the Area Office Service Coordinators/ staff and providers as a resource to assess, comprehend, plan and resolve issues for individuals at high risk due to complex medical needs. Acts as a liaison to medical and clinical professionals in the community, area hospitals and Rehab Centers. The RN interfaces with the community to promote a better understanding of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive)
1. Provides education, consultation, and in-services for individuals, families, DDS staff, provider staff, and community partners to promote health and safety for individuals with DD.
2. Available to DDS staff and providers as a medical resource to assess, comprehend, plan and resolve issues for individuals at high risk due to complex medical needs.
3. Provides health care case review as a member of the Area Risk Management Team, assessing the medical, nursing and psychiatric issues in coordination with other Risk Team members.
4. Available to DDS staff, providers, and families to advocate for quality care during acute hospitalizations and rehab admissions. Can participate in plan of care or discharge meetings at the hospital and skilled nursing facilities.
5. Completes and submits admissions documentation to the regional office for approval when an individual is admitted to a Skilled Nursing facility.
6. Completes nursing assessments to determine appropriate nursing support needs.
7. Provides Medication Administration Program (MAP) reviews to provider homes as requested.
8. Reviews all unexpected hospital visits, ER visits and hospital admission incidents in HCSIS and make recommendations for follow up care as needed.
9. Reviews Death Reports and completes Mortality Reviews.
10. Documents all nursing notes / observations of individuals.
11. Maintains a level of proficiency through DD in-services, and medical trainings.
12. Represents Area health care issues as member of Regional Health Care Committee and at the Regional Nurses’ meeting.
13. Develops a list of local health care resources that provides quality services for individuals with DD.
14. Collaborates with the legal office to ensure the clinical documents needed for end of life and MOLST are in compliance with DDS policy.
15. Other related duties as requested/assigned by the Area Director.

Requirements

• Must possess a current, active license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Must possess a current and valid Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's License
• Incumbents must obtain and maintain Health Care Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience as a registered nurse in a recognized hospital, clinic or medical facility and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory, administrative or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
• SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LEVELS IN SERIES: 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.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain a respectful, caring, tolerant, ethical, and empowering relationship with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Capacity to assist/lift individuals with physical disabilities and/or limited mobility I don’t think this applies to a community nurse
• Knowledge of standard nursing policies, procedures, methods and techniques
• Capacity to maintain accurate records and exercise discretion in handling confidential information
• Familiarity with MAP policy, safety practices and medical terminology/abbreviations
• Aptitude to transcribe, read and comprehend the English language
• Strong computer skills

Responsibilities

• Provides education, consultation, and in-services for individuals, families, DDS staff, provider staff, and community partners to promote health and safety for individuals with DD.
• Available to DDS staff and providers as a medical resource to assess, comprehend, plan and resolve issues for individuals at high risk due to complex medical needs.
• Provides health care case review as a member of the Area Risk Management Team, assessing the medical, nursing and psychiatric issues in coordination with other Risk Team members.
• Available to DDS staff, providers, and families to advocate for quality care during acute hospitalizations and rehab admissions. Can participate in plan of care or discharge meetings at the hospital and skilled nursing facilities.
• Completes and submits admissions documentation to the regional office for approval when an individual is admitted to a Skilled Nursing facility.
• Completes nursing assessments to determine appropriate nursing support needs.
• Provides Medication Administration Program (MAP) reviews to provider homes as requested.
• Reviews all unexpected hospital visits, ER visits and hospital admission incidents in HCSIS and make recommendations for follow up care as needed.
• Reviews Death Reports and completes Mortality Reviews.
• Documents all nursing notes / observations of individuals.
• Maintains a level of proficiency through DD in-services, and medical trainings.
• Represents Area health care issues as member of Regional Health Care Committee and at the Regional Nurses’ meeting.
• Develops a list of local health care resources that provides quality services for individuals with DD.
• Collaborates with the legal office to ensure the clinical documents needed for end of life and MOLST are in compliance with DDS policy.
• Other related duties as requested/assigned by the Area Director.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
• Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed