Day Program Nurse

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the VP of Clinical Services, the professional Day Habilitation Nurse is responsible for all nursing services provided to Individuals. A registered professional Nurse diagnoses and treats actual or potential health problems through health education and provision of care supportive to or restorative of life. The Registered Nurse implements medical regimens prescribed by a licensed or otherwise legally authorized physician or dentist.

Essential Job Functions

• Prepare and administer medication;
• Responsible for the care and assessment of emergencies;
• Assess all ill individuals as reported and ensure appropriate follow-up;
• Ensure for follow up on referrals made by the physician or other community service providers;
• Confer with attending physicians on specific medical problems, concerns, or related issues;
• Attend semiannual/annual reviews and prepare any pertinent medical information;
• Assess medical profiles for new admissions and recommendations for any additional medical material required;
• Maintain weight and vital statistics of all individuals as necessary;
• Obtain medical records and follow up on individuals’ hospitalizations;
• Keep staff informed of individuals’ current diets, restrictions, and medical conditions;
• Maintain a copy of doctors’ orders for all individuals who receive medication at program;
• Provide staff information about possible side effects of medication for individuals receiving psychotropic medication;
• Ensure that all individuals have an annual physical exam, required for Level of Care eligibility;
• Assess individuals on ability to self-medicate;
• Train individuals who receive medication at program to become independent in administering their own medication;
• Ensure that all staff and individuals are tested annually for tuberculosis and results of the outcome are documented and filed;
• Supervise the medication administration of staff and ensure that their certification is current;
• Responsible for the control of communicable diseases and infections as follows :

a. To identify and assess any possible dangerous situations;

b. To report any communicable diseases to proper medical authorities;

c. To implement appropriate protective and preventative measures;

• Assist families in finding adequate medical services in the community
• Participate in the planning and implementation for direct care staff.
• To develop and conduct in-service curriculums for direct care staff in the following areas :

a. Detecting signs of illness or dysfunction that warrants medical or nursing intervention;

b. Basic skills required to meet the health needs of the individuals;

c. First aid in the presence of an accident or illness;

d. In-service programs will be written and records will be kept of the dates that the sessions were conducted;

e. To identify the need for further in-service training.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Be licensed by the State of New York Department of Education;
• Experience in the treatment of developmentally disabled persons, preferred.