RN - Life Unlimited

Job Description
Job Title: Residential RN Oversight
Department: Community Living
Reports To: Director of Nursing
FLSA: Exempt

SUMMARY
The Registered Nurse works as a member of the Program Support Team, providing medical oversight of residents through direct observation and consultation. Assists Program Managers with supervision of the health and safety of Community Living individuals served by Life Unlimited.

BASIC FUNCTIONS AND GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Responsible for ensuring the health of all individuals.
• Provide an average of 1.25 hours per month per resident. Hours are to be completed in the individual’s home per month with a few exceptions allowed yearly for Day Program assessments or other Life Unlimited services.
• Provide 24-hour on-call support to residential staff to address individual medical needs and emergencies.
• Monitor on a monthly basis the health and safety of residents.
• Monitors individuals between the monthly visits for those individuals who are enrolled in the PAM program. Completes the documentation for each visit approved through the PAM program.
• Monthly review of physician orders, medication administration record (MAR), and periodic review of any medical documentation of all staff who support Life Unlimited individuals.
• Assesses each individual monthly to evaluate health concerns and identify changes in their health status. Assessment will include face to face visits, interviews with support staff, and review of all medical documentation. The RN will determine the type of data needed to evaluate health care needs and determine depth of physical assessment required based on each individuals physical/mental needs.
• Monthly review of compliance of physician orders including but not limited to treatments, procedures, labs, appointments, specialized diets, medications, outcomes, and adaptive equipment for each resident.
• Obtains an initial health history and performs initial physical examination within four (4) weeks of admission for all individuals to Life Unlimited group homes or ISLs.
• Consult on difficult or complex medical/mental cases, keeping Community Living informed of individual health and safety needs. Report any identified deficiencies in the standard of care provided to Individuals to a member of the Life Unlimited administrative team. Communicate any concerns to physicians as needed (directly or through Health Coordinators and/or Team supervisors)
• Periodically inspect medication administration application of procedures including medication storage, destruction of medication and correct documentation.
• Maintain documentation of monthly expended time and activity for auditing purposes using documentation forms of Life Unlimited.
• Review annual ISPs and all Addendums for health information and medical supply needs accuracy.
• Oversee the implementation of health care policies and procedures and recommend revisions as needed in collaboration with Director of Nursing and the Department of Mental Health.
• Responsible for timely and ongoing communication.
• Meet regularly with Life Unlimited Director of Nursing to coordinate and direct health care of all group home and ISL residents.
• Participates in staff and house meetings as necessary to address corrective actions needed as identified during health QA assessment(s) and/or Service Monitoring.
• Provide education regarding health matters to Community Living and any Life Unlimited staff as needed.
• Maintains open and consistent communication with individuals, families/guardians, other health-care providers and regulatory oversight agencies (DMH, DHSS, etc.).
• Maintains contact with Community Living staff who support each individual to assure timely reporting of medical/psychiatric concerns are addressed time appropriately.
• Maintain communication with agency management, reporting and documenting changes in the individual’s health status, needs and identified deficiencies in the standard of care provided to residents.
• Maintain a collaborative relationship with Quality Assurance RN’s at the Kansas City Regional Office of the Department of Mental Health to implement and maintain statewide health and safety initiatives.
• The ability to effectively and efficiently use computers or mobile devices to input, access, modify, or output information. This includes the ability to quickly access, store and retrieve data.
• Responsible for training of agency personnel.
• Attend training provided by the Department of Mental Health, DDD on statewide administration of best practices and expectations of the quality health care system.
• Become certified and conducts the Level 1 Medication Aide training program monthly to ensure all new staff hired for Life Unlimited Inc. are DMH certified to pass medication.
• Become certified and conducts the 2 year Update Level 1 Medication Aide program monthly for all certified staff to continue their qualification to administer medications per DMH guidelines.
• Provide appropriate delegation and supervision of Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) who perform such duties as medication administration and other nursing tasks when applicable, and document those activities. (Nursing Practices Act Chapter 335 RSMo).
• Periodically inspect the technique and skill of a sampling of certified staff delegated to pass medications, and determine a plan of action, in conjunction with the Community Living and Training department when certified staff have excessive medication errors.
• Other duties requested by the Executive Director or mandated to the agency by the Department of Mental Health/Division and Developmental Disabilities.
• All Other Duties as Assigned

Physical Expectations
This position requires extended periods of sitting with some periods of walking and standing. It may also require bending, kneeling, and/or stooping and climbing stairs. May require light (5 lbs.) to heavy lifting (50 pounds of dead weight). An individual in this position may need to drive a vehicle to resources in the community. There may be extended periods of using a computer and/or calculator.

Working Conditions
Office/home environment with noises from those we support, office equipment, and telephones. May be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and/or infectious diseases.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Must maintain an active license in good standing issued by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
• Must have some knowledge of the unique physical needs and medical implications of individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Must have/acquire Level 1 Medication Administration trainer certification through Department of Mental Health and/or Department of Health and Senior Services.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must obtain a Class E driver’s license during new hire orientation– must carry minimum coverage applicable by law for auto insurance
• Must Receive Seasonal Flu Vaccination

Equal Opportunity Employer