Nurse Educator

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

28d

About The Position

Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.

The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers

If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!

Free CEUs and updated resources through Lippincott access for all nurses.

The Nurse Educator performs advanced professional nursing work within the scope of practice attributed to the skills of a registered nurse. Works under the direction and supervision of the Chief Nurse Executive (CNE). Responsible for the coordination and implementation of the Nursing Education Program at the SSLC. Orients all newly hired nurses and assists in the orientation of student nurses. Evaluates and tests the competency skills and knowledge of all new and incumbent nursing staff. Coordinates and develops systems to ensure nursing education/competency is provided for all nurses. Assists the Nursing Coordinator and the state-office work group in writing and revising the nursing guidelines. Promotes and initiates professional, legal, and ethical nursing practice at the SSLC. Makes varied decisions based on broad principles and guidelines. Provides treatment to HHS employees injured in course and scope of employment. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

This position may be required to work alternate shifts due to the staffing needs of the facility.

Requirements

• Considerable knowledge of nursing techniques, standards, and procedures; of health care laws and regulations; of medical diagnoses and procedures; of accepted medical treatment patterns; of community health and nursing care principles, practices, and procedures; of program regulations and procedures; and of utilization review and control measures.
• Knowledge of nursing care standards, the Settlement Agreement, and the Healthcare Guidelines or ability to quickly gain the knowledge.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IID) rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to SSLCs or ability to quickly gain that knowledge.
• Knowledge of emergency procedures and emergency equipment, i.e., Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and ability to assess and care for residents and/or staff members in emergency situations.
• Skills in the use of computer/software and an electronic health record system.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present ideas clearly and concisely in both written and oral communications.
• Skill in the care and treatment of patients.
• Ability to provide patient care; to prepare and maintain records; to organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities and delivery of health services; to interpret policies and procedures; to interpret health care regulations; to recognize patterns of medical necessity treatment; and to plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others.
• Ability to interpret regulations and communicate them effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to appropriately interact with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, with their family members, and with staff members.
• Ability to work independently and productively with all levels of staff.
• Ability to train all levels of staff.
• Ability to make decisions and recommendations to SSLC leadership including on-call administrators.
• Must maintain current CPR certification. Must have strength and flexibility to safely perform CPR.
• Ability to work independently and productively with all levels of staff.
• Licensed to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Texas or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.
• At least one (1) year experience as a practicing registered nurse is required.
• Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
• Males between the ages of 18 – 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• All State Supported Living Center Employees are subject to Random Drug Testing.
• All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of experience as a practicing registered nurse in a health agency, hospital, or health-care facility preferred.
• Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• Two years of nursing supervisory/administrative experience is preferred.
• Previous experience working with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift, and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.
• Orients new nursing staff to facility protocols, guidelines, and procedures.
• Keeps abreast of current nursing philosophy, techniques, and regulations and imparts this information to others.
• Evaluates competency of new and tenured nursing staff in nursing skills/knowledge so that optimal health care is delivered to individuals served.
• Interprets regulations and communicates them effectively orally and in writing and assists in writing and revising nursing guidelines.
• Complies with state/federal/local guidelines and/or standards.
• Ability to track, maintain, and update data related to Nursing Education.
• Coordinates the orientation of nursing students as applicable.
• Works independently and productively with all levels of staff and departments.
• Provides/coordinates training and education to all levels of staff regarding health maintenance/prevention issues.
• Serves on designated committees as assigned.
• Provides treatment to HHS employees injured in course and scope of employment.
• Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Benefits

• Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.
• Free CEUs and updated resources through Lippincott access for all nurses.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level