Nurse Specialist

Montgomery County • Dayton, OH

4d

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Health Outcomes Supervisor, the Nurse Specialist provides training and education to foster, adoptive, and biological parents and caregivers of children ages 0–21 with special and exceptional needs. This includes home visits, preparing health and developmental summaries, and teaching about specific health needs of newborns and children in Agency custody or involved with the Agency. The role also prepares appropriate health histories and summaries for adoptions and provides prenatal information.

The Nurse Specialist provides technical assistance, direction, consultation, and Case Review to caseworkers, foster parents, caregivers, and health care providers. Topics include children’s specific health problems, safety, wellness and infectious-disease prevention, chronic health conditions, growth and development, oral and maternal health, and access to services and resources. The role requests reports from medical and dental providers, supports staff decision-making on medical and health issues, and provides nursing consultation during alleged child abuse and neglect investigations.

Serving as a liaison among the Agency, health care facilities, private practitioners, caregivers, and foster parents, the Nurse Specialist helps facilitate quality health care, troubleshoot problems, communicate health histories, consult with other health professionals, and plan treatment. The role assists placement coordinators in finding appropriate placements for children entering care or moving placements. Additional work includes community and professional presentations, committee participation, school health fairs, pre-placement screenings, assessing children during visitation when medical concerns arise, and handling permission to treat. The Nurse Specialist maintains professional competency through self-directed reading, contact with colleagues, professional development courses, and required training. Other related duties may be assigned.

The position requires a Registered Nurse with a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related field, a valid Ohio nursing license, and current first aid and CPR certification. Pediatric nursing experience is preferred. The position requires a valid driver’s license, current vehicle insurance, an acceptable driving record, and use of a personal vehicle for job-related travel. Annual training is required to maintain RN licensure, in addition to mandatory Agency training. The probationary period is 180 days.

Requirements

• Must be a Registered Nurse.
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related field required.
• Must have a valid Ohio Nursing license issued by the Board of Nursing pursuant to Section 4723.03 of the Revised Code.
• Must have and maintain first aid and CPR certification.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, current vehicle insurance, and an acceptable driving record in accordance with Agency policy.
• Use of a personal vehicle for job-related travel is required.
• Annual training is required to maintain RN licensure, in addition to mandatory Agency training requirements.
• Must be able to lift young children; sit for extended periods; stand, walk, and drive; move throughout buildings, floors, grounds, facilities, and community homes, including stairs and rough terrain; and perform manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination tasks.
• Must be proficient in software applications used by the department, or meet the stated alternative equivalent evidence of minimum class requirements, excluding mandated licensure.

Nice To Haves

• Pediatric nursing experience in a hospital, doctor’s office, or as a Public Health Nurse is preferred.
• Preference will be given to applicants with knowledge of and/or work experience in child abuse and neglect.

Responsibilities

• Provide training and education to foster, adoptive, and biological parents and caregivers of children ages 0–21 with special and exceptional needs.
• Conduct home visits and prepare health and developmental summaries; teach caregivers about specific health needs of newborns and children in Agency custody or involved with the Agency.
• Prepare health histories and summaries for adoptions and provide prenatal information.
• Provide technical assistance, direction, consultation, and Case Review to caseworkers, foster parents, caregivers, and health care providers on children’s health, safety, wellness, prevention, chronic conditions, development, oral and maternal health, and access to services and resources.
• Request reports from doctors, dentists, specialists, and other providers.
• Assist staff in decision-making about medical and health issues of children in care.
• Provide nursing consultation to staff on alleged child abuse and neglect investigations.
• Act as a liaison among the Agency, health care facilities, private practitioners, caregivers, and foster parents to facilitate quality health care for children.
• Troubleshoot problems, communicate health histories and related information, consult with health professionals, and help plan treatment.
• Assist placement coordinators in finding appropriate placements for children entering care or moving to another placement.
• Speak to community groups and professional organizations, participate on community committees, and take part in school health fairs.
• Provide office coverage for pre-placement screenings, assessment of children during visitation when medical concerns arise, and permission to treat.
• Maintain competency through professional reading, professional contacts, professional development courses, and required training.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time