SCC Shelter Nurse- PRN

PURPOSE:

All nurses contracted by the Provider to render services shall be continuously licensed, certified, or registered, as required by law, rule, policy, and the Department of Health, in their respective areas of expertise, pursuant to applicable law, in the State of Florida.

The Provider shall have policies and procedures in place in the case of a medical emergency within the facility. All staff that has direct contact with youth is to be trained and understand that they are to immediately call 9-1-1 in a medical emergency that poses the need for urgent medical attention (for example, a youth unresponsive/unconscious, bleeding profusely, acutely ill, etc.).

Schedule is PRN (as needed).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Documentation of youths’ healthcare status upon admission:

a) Reviewing the Health Admission Screening form provided by the facility intake staff during the admission process for all youth.

b) Conducting nursing assessments as indicated by intake documentation.

c) Developing a nursing care plan for youth with medical conditions. Plans shall include all known medical and dental appointments, current medications, and names of youths’ community practitioners.

d) Completing appropriate Medical Alerts, including nutrition and diet concerns.

2. Provide episodic and emergency care while on site. Youth that require care beyond First Aid for minor injuries or illness must be referred to the Emergency Room or call for EMS/911 assistance. When Nurse is not on-site, the program will follow standard policy and procedure governing medical and mental health concerns for non-licensed staff. The nurse is not to be utilized as an on-call medical resource.

3.Providing health education for youth and parents/guardians on specific medications and chronic and acute health conditions for youths. Subject matter includes wellness with fitness, nutrition, and positive coping skills.

4.Medication Management Process. The Registered Nurse is responsible for oversight and management of medication distribution, secure storage, and accountability of medications. This includes oversight of the following:

a) Medication administration during on-site hours. When the Registered Nurse is on-site, medications shall be administered only by the Registered Nurse.

b) Ensuring that non-licensed staff are trained and know how to assist youth with self-administration of medications during hours when no licensed nurse is on-site. The responsibility of training and verifying competency of non-licensed staff in this task may not be delegated to other non-licensed staff.

c) Verification of youths’ medications brought to the shelter. This shall include communication with the youths’ community pharmacy, medical provider, and parent/guardian.

d) Management of the Pyxis medication storage system, including medication inventory counts. The counts shall be conducted by the Registered Nurse and assigned staff persons trained in the appropriate medication counting system. The nurse is responsible for administering the medications to youth safely and accurately when on-site. When the nurse is not on-site, medication delivery shall be conducted by non-licensed trained staff persons.

e) Monitoring Medication Distribution Logs (MDL) daily to ensure that medications provided by the non-licensed program staff through assisting the youth with self-administration are provided as prescribed.

f) Reorder over the counter medications and first aid supplies.

g) Monitoring medication side effects when administering medications. Review documented side effect monitoring by non-licensed staff and provide additional training as needed.

h) Conducting Root Cause Analysis of medication errors, including omission of medications.

5. Development and implementation of applicable Universal Precautions and Infection Control standards. Education of youth and staff regarding Infection Control standards.

6. Staff education and training regarding acute and chronic health conditions, wellness, exercise and fitness, dietary and nutritional needs of adolescents, and Universal Precautions/Infection Control.

7. Review and evaluation of all medical CCC incidents pertaining to the Registered Nurse’s or Licensed Practical Nurse. assigned CINS/FINS Shelter. Make recommendations about Corrective Action to be taken to correct deficiencies and address issues in response to these incidents.

8. Evaluate CCC reporting information and data collected through the Care Fusion Knowledge Portal to identify emerging medical concerns and trends.

9. Assist the CINS/FINS Shelter Program Director and staff in the Quality Improvement Process, including guidance regarding health care standards.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To ensure the provision of necessary and appropriate healthcare, the Provider shall maintain the following medical staffing:

A. Registered Nurse (RN)/ Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

RNs/ LPNs shall have an active and clear Florida license in accordance with chapter 464, Florida Statutes.

B. The Provider shall notify the Contract Manager if there are changes in personnel. The Provider shall report vacancies as they occur to the Contract Manager.

C. Special alerts identified on staff licensures shall be communicated immediately in writing to the Contract Manager

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/CERTIFICATION:

To practice in the profession, registered nurses must become licensed. While licensure requirements vary according to state, they typically include passage of a state-approved training program and the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the NCLEX-RN covers topics like psychosocial and physiological integrity, health promotion and infection control (www.ncsbn.org). Depending on the state, RNs may be required to meet additional licensure requirements. LPNs will need to provide evidence of passage for the NCLEX-PN exam through the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses through a Board of Nursing approved LPN/LVN education program.