Pre-Placement Staff Nurse

City of New York•New York City, NY

12d

About The Position

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of children and families through child welfare and juvenile justice services and community supports. Its Office of Child and Family Health (OCFH) provides direct medical services to children entering foster care and ensures that their physical and mental health care is comprehensive and appropriate. OCFH also provides case consultations and training, conducts research, and contributes clinical expertise to health and mental health policies. Within OCFH, the Pre-Placement Medical Services Unit manages day-to-day medical functions at the Children’s Center pre-placement program and ACS borough office medical units in the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. The unit provides 24/7 coverage, completing physical assessments for children entering foster care and providing direct primary care for a range of symptoms and illnesses. Under the direction of the Pre-Placement Medical Director, Pre-Placement Staff Nurses assess the health care needs of children entering care and on an ongoing basis, provide age-appropriate health services, and coordinate care, referrals, and follow-up. They also educate and train foster parents and agency staff, including on the care of medically fragile children and children with special needs. The position offers evening or night shift schedules.

Requirements

A valid New York State Registered Nurse License.

Nice To Haves

Experience with applicable computer-based software, including Word, Excel, and Access, and with EHR.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Responsibilities

Assess the physical and mental health care needs of ACS-served foster care children as they enter care and on an ongoing basis, providing age-appropriate health services.
Provide comprehensive physical assessments and identify the need for emergency treatment, next-day follow-up care, or ongoing medical needs.
Arrange follow-up appointments and referrals where appropriate.
Verify that children have necessary medications and equipment at the time of placement.
Consult with child-care staff and foster parents on safe medication administration and management.
Consult, refer, and collaborate with other disciplines involved in children’s care.
Provide appropriate transfer of information when children move to a placement or are referred to another health care provider.
Develop, implement, and monitor a comprehensive patient care program as a member of the health care and broader professional teams.
Participate in departmental and interdisciplinary conferences and meetings concerning policies and procedures affecting nursing practice.
Implement treatment protocols, procedures, and other orders and instructions from the Pre-Placement Medical Director and other clinical authorities.
Conduct patient education and train new foster parents of medically fragile children.
Collaborate with foster care agencies to assist with services for foster families caring for children with special needs.
Train ACS and contracted agency staff on protocols, policies, and medical conditions.