NURSE II - Wheat Ridge Regional Center PAY DIFFERENTIAL

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nurse II position exists to provide specialized nursing services that meet the healthcare needs of complex medical and psychiatrically challenged developmentally and intellectually disabled individuals who live in ICF-IID group homes. This position provides supervision/guidance of health services to on-duty Licensed Psychiatric Technicians (LPT), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), and QMAP as required by the LPN & LPN scope of practice. Additionally, as a Nurse II you can expect to: Triage – receives calls and determines action for resident health issues, approves PRN medications and treatments, and unscheduled health care services, and responds to resident behavioral problems that may put the individual or others in harm’s way. Travels to the community homes or program settings as needed. Arranges for and assists medical providers with physical examinations. Documents the provision of services in accordance with nursing and agency standards and protocols. Transcribes medical orders according to nursing protocols and electronic systems. Provides Licensed Psychiatric Technicians (LPT) and Qualified Medication Administration Person (QMAP) supervision as required in the Board of Nursing scope of practice for LPTs and QMAPs. Responds to reports of acute illness or trauma situations by analyzing data, considering all individual aspects of the situation, and making decisions that result in intervention and treatment of the resident. Formulates various levels of intervention when general policy and practices are relevant only through analogy. Must disseminate and evaluate treatment plans of care to determine effectiveness and make modifications that maintain health in situations of chronic and acute patient illness, injury, and medical or psychiatric decompensation for individuals served at the WRRC Provides supervision of medication administration and the delivery of health care services provided by the Qualified Medication Administration Person (QMAP) and Licensed Psychiatric Technicians and Licensed Practical Nurses who are working in the assigned areas. This supervision/oversight is required by the LPT and LPN scope of practice. Directs workflow related to medication administration and scheduled tasks related to health services, resolves nursing and health care issues, provides oversight, training, consultation, and guidance for health problems and nursing skills such as medication and treatment administration, and delegated tasks such as blood sugar testing, external ventilators, trach care, oral suctioning, and a multitude of other health-related tasks. Reviews Medication Administration Records, provides direct observations as well as patient record reviews to determine effectiveness of formulated treatments. Conducts nursing skills review training as assigned. Develops and trains medical protocols to be implemented by the Direct Care Providers, including the QMAPs, LPTs, and LPNs, such as Seizure Protocols, Diabetic Protocols, and Skin Care Treatment plans. Administers medications and treatments that fall outside the LPT/direct-care scope of practice, such as medications administered via intramuscular and intravenous routes of administration (IM and IV medications). Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• A valid, active Registered Nurse License issued by the State of Colorado (Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) OR any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).
• Two (2) years of professional nursing experience.
• State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must demonstrate the ability to lift 50 lbs, bend, squat, etc., and perform physical interventions proficiently (pre-employment and continuously throughout employment).
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License or a non-restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border.
• Out-of-State Driver’s License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License within 30 days of employment start date.

Nice To Haves

• 2 years of full-time inpatient nursing experience.
• Relevant years of state service experience.

Responsibilities

• Triage – receives calls and determines action for resident health issues, approves PRN medications and treatments, and unscheduled health care services, and responds to resident behavioral problems that may put the individual or others in harm’s way.
• Travels to the community homes or program settings as needed.
• Arranges for and assists medical providers with physical examinations.
• Documents the provision of services in accordance with nursing and agency standards and protocols.
• Transcribes medical orders according to nursing protocols and electronic systems.
• Provides Licensed Psychiatric Technicians (LPT) and Qualified Medication Administration Person (QMAP) supervision as required in the Board of Nursing scope of practice for LPTs and QMAPs.
• Responds to reports of acute illness or trauma situations by analyzing data, considering all individual aspects of the situation, and making decisions that result in intervention and treatment of the resident.
• Formulates various levels of intervention when general policy and practices are relevant only through analogy.
• Disseminates and evaluates treatment plans of care to determine effectiveness and make modifications that maintain health in situations of chronic and acute patient illness, injury, and medical or psychiatric decompensation for individuals served at the WRRC.
• Provides supervision of medication administration and the delivery of health care services provided by the Qualified Medication Administration Person (QMAP) and Licensed Psychiatric Technicians and Licensed Practical Nurses who are working in the assigned areas.
• Directs workflow related to medication administration and scheduled tasks related to health services, resolves nursing and health care issues, provides oversight, training, consultation, and guidance for health problems and nursing skills such as medication and treatment administration, and delegated tasks such as blood sugar testing, external ventilators, trach care, oral suctioning, and a multitude of other health-related tasks.
• Reviews Medication Administration Records, provides direct observations as well as patient record reviews to determine effectiveness of formulated treatments.
• Conducts nursing skills review training as assigned.
• Develops and trains medical protocols to be implemented by the Direct Care Providers, including the QMAPs, LPTs, and LPNs, such as Seizure Protocols, Diabetic Protocols, and Skin Care Treatment plans.
• Administers medications and treatments that fall outside the LPT/direct-care scope of practice, such as medications administered via intramuscular and intravenous routes of administration (IM and IV medications).
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
• Employee Wellness program
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

What This Job Offers

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