Nurse Trainer - Rule 116

BASIC FUNCTION: 

Under the supervision of the Nurse Manager and Sr. Vice President of Adult Services, ensures that the health and medical needs of the individuals of the assigned group homes are met. RN Trainer will provide oversight and training to the staff working with the individuals in the process of self-administration of medication. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Reliable and prompt attendance, demonstrating flexibility as necessary to meet the needs of the individuals and/or home.
• Participate with a team of nurses in the self-scheduling process to ensure the designated hours are covered, including on-call rotation.
• Reviews monthly summaries, general health status, vital signs, medications and treatments given.
• Reviews all injury reports involving group home individuals and makes recommendations for any additional medical interventions needed.
• Reviews and signs, along with the physician, all medication orders on a monthly basis.
• Reviews medication errors, retrains staff as necessary and reports errors to Group Home Administrator and DHS Department of Quality Assurance.
• Ensures that each individual has an annual physical and dental examination and reviews the results of these exams. Also reviews results of routine laboratory screening and special tests ordered by the individual's physician.
• Performs annual vision and hearing screenings for individuals living in an ICF (Searles, Sun Valley, Elmwood East).
• Coordinates specimen/culture collection and transportation and records results, notifying physician of any immediate action needed based on results.
• Assists with the admission, discharge and transfer of individuals including respite.
• Demonstrates knowledge of Public Health and Public Aid Standards Department of Human Services and the Nursing Home Care Reform Act providing guidance to and working cooperatively with other staff to ensure continuous compliance with all applicable regulations. Including Rule 116 (Medication Administration in Community Setting).
• Actively participates in in-service training and departmental meetings, promoting positive problem solving and cooperative team efforts.
• Reviews all special diets, weights, and menses on a regular basis and makes recommendations for adjustments to the individual's physician. Participates in quarterly dietary reviews for ICFs as needed.
• Records nursing needs of the individual in Health Status to assure continuity of care.
• Communicates and trains all professional and non-professional staff concerning the comfort and well being of the individuals as needed regarding health care issues, medications, and procedures.
• Communicates with and trains all staff in general health and safety plus training as required by Rule 116 (non-licensed staff training program).
  • specific standardized medication curriculum training at each site
  • observations of staff administering medication
  • authorizing staff to perform medication administration
  • retrain as needed/medication changes
• Ensure that documentation of training, retraining and evaluation is kept in each staff's personnel file.
• Ensures that PRN medication protocol per Rule 116 is documented specifically on MAR and staff are trained per protocol.
• Takes and records phone orders from physician.
• Perform an assessment of the individual's physical and mental status and medical history and health care needs plus evaluate the medication orders and medication prescribed. Keeps Health Plans current.  Communicates with physicians and other health care professionals as needed.
• The nurse shall review the self-administration of medication assessment to determine the individual's self-administration of medication capabilities and provide information to the IDT to determine programming.  Identify those individuals that are competent to self-administer their own medications.  Ensure training programs for individuals learning to self-administer medication are in compliance with Rule 116.
• Monitor individual's refusals of medication.
• Maintain an inventory and record the use of controlled substance in accordance with Rule 116 ensuring a shift count is completed.
• Perform quality assurance checks as designated by Rule 116.
• Functions as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team in developing individual treatment plans for the individual group homes. Prepares semi-annual/annual assessments and reports.
• In compliance with the Milestone, Inc. philosophy and policies regarding human rights, immediately intervenes on behalf of the individual(s) served and reports to the appropriate agency (OIG, DCFS, IDPH) and/or supervisor.
• Attends runs and follows up on psychiatric consults for identified individuals in conjunction with the group home staff.
• Administers vaccines, medications, and suppositories as required.
• Reviews health and well being of individuals under their care and provides recommendations to ensure the individuals receive appropriate and prompt medical care. This includes pre-planning and ensuring care is accounted for at all times.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Reviews all physical therapy/occupational therapy programs and procedures, making recommendations to the Qualified Mental Retardation Professional or the individual's physician as needed.
• Compile and submit quarterly antibiotic and decubitus report to Administrator.
• Attends annual staffing for all assigned individuals.
• Communicates with the pharmacist on an as needed basis to discuss and update all policies and procedures relating to medication systems for the group homes.

QUALIFICATIONS:                           

• Registered Nurse or Advanced Practice Nurse
• Licensed in the State of Illinois.
• Must be able to intervene physically in a health related or behavioral related crisis. Possess two years of Clinical Registered Professional Nursing experience within the last five years.  Prefer one year experience with persons with developmental disabilities.
• Willingness to take and successfully complete the DHS Nurse Trainer Training Program.

Current Openings for Nurse Trainer Rule 116 Jobs at Milestone Inc. - Rockford