Nurse Educator

at Little City Foundation in Palatine, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Nurse Educator

Job Details

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Description

+ Subject Line: Open Position: Nurse – Educator

+ Attach: Resume / Cover Letter

Please visit this Link to apply www.littlecity.org/careers/

PURPOSE:The Nurse Educator is responsible for implementation of the “Administration of Medication in Community Settings” as specified by the Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Illinois Administrative Code Title 59, Part 116: Medication Self-Administration. This includes assessing individuals served by Little City, checking and monitoring medications, and training designated direct care, professional and administrative staff employed by Little City to provide self-administration of medication training to individuals served by Little City.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:The list of essential duties and responsibilities, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the task to be performed. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein is such duties are a logical assignment to the position.1. Assess individuals served by Little City to determine their medication self-administration capabilities using the Self-Administration of Medication Assessment (SAMA).a. Individuals must be assessed on an annual basis with no more than 365 days between each assessment.b. The nurse will make a recommendation as to an appropriate self-administration of medication goal to be discussed by the Interdisciplinary Team.c. The nurse must review the SAMA on a quarterly basis for individuals diagnosed with a Mental Illness and document this review and any changes on the current annual SAMA.d. The nurse must complete the SAMA on any new admission as part of the Nursing Services packet for submission for funding and placement.2. Assess individuals’ health status on an annual basis or more frequently based on the changing health needs of the individual.a. Complete the annual Nursing Assessment two weeks prior to the annual staffing.b. Complete the Physical Status Review (PSR) annually and update after any hospitalizations.c. Sign off on the monthly cross-training for Nursing Assessments.3. Obtain consent from guardians for use of medications, explaining side-effects of the medication.4. Maintain progress notes on assigned caseload and follow up on any issues noted by the on-call service, including use of PRN medications, allergic reactions, treatment center and/or ER visits.5. Monitor medications, medication administration and all accompanying documentation on a monthly basis.a. Review and sign Physician Orders.b. Review the Medication Administration Records (MARs) and medication bubble packs when delivered from the pharmacy to ensure all match, correcting all errors prior to taking the medications to the homes.c. Deliver medications to assigned homes; collect old medication bubble packs and MARs.d. Check the status of Controlled Substances, PRN and topical medications. Remove outdated medications and order replacements. Ensure medications are properly stored.e. Review completed MARs, Controlled Substance Sheets and bubble packs, verifying all medication errors have been reported. If a medication error has not been reported, the Nurse Educator will complete an Error report and send it to the appropriate administrative staff for follow up.f. Transcribe phone orders received by physicians and order them from the pharmacy. Update the MAR and make arrangements for it to be delivered to the home with the afternoon van run, if possible; otherwise, responsible for delivering the MAR to the home.g. Properly disposes of outdated medications.6. Train and authorize non-licensed staff to administer medications.a. Responsible for teaching the DHS Medication Administration class.b. Complete on-the-job competency-based training for each staff person for the individuals in their assigned home(s) and authorize them to administer medications.c. Re-evaluate authorized staff for continued competence of medication administration on an annual basis, no more than 365 days from the previous training, for administering medications within their assigned home(s).d. Provide retraining for staff if the nurse determines the staff needs additional training.e. Update the authorized medication passer staff list as needed.7. Administer medications to adults at the Day program locations.8. Administer medications to children and adult Homes as needed.9. On call responsibilities are as follows:a. On-call for assigned caseload on regularly scheduled weekdays and weekends and back-up for other nurses as assigned.b. Available to consult with authorized staff during medication passing times to provide guidance and answer questions related to passing medications, instruct staff what to do if a medication error occurs and follow up with the primary physician, if applicable, and ensure the medication error is properly documented and provided to Quality Assurance.b. Participate as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) at annual meetings in person or by phone. Participate in emergency meetings related to health and/or medication issues.c. Administer injectable medications, suppositories, and vaginal or rectal creams and ointments.d. Follow procedures outlined in LCF Med 01 policy on communicable diseases.e. Serve on agency committees as assigned by the Director of Health and Wellness Services.f. Other duties as assigned.10. Successfully complete the DHS Nurse-Trainer training program.11. Maintains American Heart Association certification in First Aid and CPR.12. Successfully completes Little City required training, re-training, and any additional training as required by Little City policies and practices, or as assigned by his or her immediate supervisor.13. Other assigned duties as directed by supervisor.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Associates degree in nursing require, Bachelor’s degree in nursing preferred. Be licensed as a registered nurse or advanced practice nurse in Illinois. Possess two years of clinical registered professional nursing experience within the last five years, at least one of which shall preferably have been in developmental disabilities. Be eligible to take the DHS Nurse-Trainer training program and complete within 60 days of hire.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:While performing the duties of this job, the employee is subject to sitting, walking, and standing for prolonged periods; frequently grasps, lifts, holds, or feels objects; occasionally stoops, kneels, crouches, or crawls. The employee frequently is required to use manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination when working with persons served and handling office, medical, or household equipment. The employee is subject to assist and lift up to 50 pounds with varying amounts of assistance on a reoccurring basis. The employee is required to have corrected vision and hearing within normal range and the ability to operate a motor vehicle. Must have the ability to perform CPR and CPI. Occupational exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious substances, including communicable diseases when performing personal care (Category III). Occasional exposure to cleaning agents and disinfectants. Residential work environment with a noise level of normal to loud. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to