Registered Nurse - Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults : Job Details

Salary Range: $50.00 (USD) Hourly

Are you ready to make a difference in your community? Do YOU want to work on a team that is committed to empowering individuals? At Helen Keller Services, our employees work in an environment that is more than just a workplace, it's a community.

Since 1967, Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are DeafBlind or have a combined hearing and vision loss. HKNC is dedicated to working with each person to achieve their desired goals towards independence, employment, and quality of life, based on their talents, preferences and aspirations. We currently have an exciting career opportunity available to join the HKNC team as a Temporary Registered Nurse based out of our group home in Port Washington, NY. The Registered Nurse is responsible for the assessment and treatment of the health care needs (emergent, urgent, and routine) for all participants at HKNC. This requires a well-experienced RN who can work independently, along with in-person and telephone triage/supervision. The RN must be able to communicate their findings to the supervisor and other related healthcare professionals. To provide seamless nursing support, the RN will be called upon episodically to cover nursing shifts in the event of inclement weather or during absences for nursing staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Familiarizing oneself with all HKNC consumers' preferred modes of communication, DeafBlind diagnosis, and self-administration status congruent with the New York State Guidelines for the Self-Administration of Medication

• Have a working knowledge of the HKNC Medical Service Department's policies and procedures

• Have an understanding of HIPAA regulations

• Administer medication to consumers who:

• Are unable to self-administer their medications (prescribed and over-the-counter medications)

• Request nursing assistance in the administration of their medications (prescribed and over-the-counter medications)

• Monitor the consumer's response after giving the medication

• Initiates / conducts formal and informal medication education classes with consumers in an effort to foster the consumer's inter/independence with medication administration including, but not limited to:

• The proper use of a seven-day medication box

• The correct filling of a seven-day medication box

• The correct procedure for ordering prescribed medications

• Provide health education to consumers, including but not limited to:

• Health promotion strategies

• Illness Prevention

• Nutrition

• Exercise

• Participates in the HKNC sponsored vaccination program:

• Provide vaccinations as indicated for HKNC consumers / staff

• Observe individuals for adverse reactions

• Complete NYS or HKNC required documentation

• Tuberculosis Testing:

• Perform health assessments to Identify new symptoms indicating a potentially under / undiagnosed conditions or complications

• Report the findings to all appropriate healthcare provider, including but not limited to:

• Prescriber of Record

• At-Home Healthcare Provider

• Family members as appropriate

• HKNC Director of Medical Services

• Assess / treat each consumer's unique health problems in a holistic manner recognizing:

• Consumer's:

• Knowledge deficits

• Importance of participation in the process leading to empowerment

• Need for self-determination

• Execute medical regimens as prescribed by:

• Licensed physicians / MD / DO / OD

• Nurse practitioners

• Physician assistants

• Dentists

• Other licensed providers as authorized

• Contributes as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team to plan and implement the health care needs of consumers

• Position is required to be on-call 24/7 to meet the needs of the residential program.

Performs related duties, when necessary, at the discretion of the Director of Medical Service and Administration.

Although the hours are assigned during the weekday, it is understood given the needs of the consumers and the inherent nature of the nursing profession, the RN will be called upon to extend their working hours in order to meet the health and safety needs of the consumers. In order to provide for seamless nursing support, the RN will be called upon episodically to cover nursing shifts in the event of inclement weather or during absences for nursing staff

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Must be a graduate of a New York State approved education program as a Registered Professional Nurse.

• He/she must possess sufficient clinical experience to be able to perform each essential duty in a satisfactory manner without direct supervision. The RN must take the initiative in expediting effective resolution in critical and/or emergency medical situations and relay that information to the nursing supervisor.

• Methods of communication used by persons who are DeafBlind at a conversational level must be developed within one year.

• Knowledge of deaf and deaf-blind culture must be developed within one year.

• Knowledge of MS Office including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook required. Strong report writing skills required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Possess a valid, unencumbered NYS RN license and registration.

• Hold a current and valid CPR certification with AED as approved for healthcare providers.

• Have completed a current course on:

o Advanced Infection Control – Approved by New York State

o New York State Child Abuse and Reporting course

• Participate in the HKNC sponsored Universal Precautions In-Service