Early Start Nurse Specialist

Responsibilities

• Eligibility Assessments
• Review intake information to determine appropriate plan for Early Start eligibility assessment
• Conduct eligibility assessments to comply with legally mandated requirements for infants under 12 months of age referred for Early Start services
• Determine eligibility with interdisciplinary team members
• Avoid identifying service needs for infants and toddlers eligible for Early Start services
• Complete eligibility assessment reports
• Consultative Services for Infants/Toddlers and their Families
• Research current medical and nursing evidence-based practices
• Refer infants/toddlers to community service agencies for services to meet infants/toddlers' needs
• Conduct ongoing home visits as needed with follow-up evaluations of infant/toddler's development
• Provide parents with anticipatory guidance using age appropriate intervention activities with demonstrations and written material
• With the social worker and the child's family, plan for transition from Early Start program to community mainstream programs or other services based on identified needs
• Agency Involvement
• Consult with Early Start social workers in areas of infant development, intervention activities, parent/infant bonding issues, and assist in managing services for medically fragile infants and toddlers
• Train staff on topics related to the Early Start program
• Update and review with Director, Clinical Services, on clinical issues relating to the Early Start program
• Community Involvement
• Promote community awareness of factors relating to the occurrence of developmental disabilities
• Understand and advocate for general actions related to infants/toddlers with developmental disabilities
• Train and consult with local agencies and medical community regarding services available under Early Start
• Collaborate with public health and community agencies providing maternal/child health services for high risk infants
• Participate in case conferences for high risk infant follow-up programs
• Participate in community service meetings relevant to Early Start
• Participate in Early Start Program training and advocacy programs
• Attend seminars and trainings to maintain skills and fulfill licensing requirements
• Participate in special projects, and assist with additional duties or tasks, as assigned
• Maintain all client information as confidential in compliance with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the California Lanterman Act

Requirements

• Education/Experience
• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing with Public Health Nursing Certificate or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certification (preferred)
• 3+ years relevant experience in Pediatrics
• Valid Registered Nurse License at time of hire and ability to maintain license in good standing
• 3+ years with high risk infants in hospital/clinic/community settings required

Skills

• Applied knowledge of standardized developmental assessment tools
• Ability to develop standard business communications, using proper grammar, spelling and punctuation
• Ability to convey complex information and ideas in a clear, concise and professional manner
• Ability to operate basic office equipment, including scanners, copiers, faxes, phones
• Basic familiarity with MS Word®, MS Excel®, MS PowerPoint®, MS Outlook® or similar software applications
• Knowledge of principles, methods and procedures of current nursing health practices, epidemiology, methods of developmental assessment and intervention
• Knowledge of state and federal legislation as related to services for High Risk Infants and their families

Qualifications

• Build partnerships and trust through collaboration, active listening and an openness to new ideas
• Operate with the understanding of working within the context of an interdisciplinary team
• Demonstrate sensitivity to individual's concerns and needs; listen with patience
• Use insight and understanding to deliver difficult news in a compassionate way
• Use appropriate language to communicate complex data to families
• Take initiative and is proactive about staying current with new research, approaches, policies, laws, methods or technologies in area of expertise
• Understand and effectively react/adapt to multiple and competing priorities on the job; use knowledge and expertise to focus on key job outcomes
• Demonstrate respect and cultural awareness; effectively manage own reactions

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including Medical and Dental benefits with a generous employer contribution and additional employer paid Life, Disability and Vision coverage
• 10% employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement account to help you save for the future!
• Generous Time Off Benefits!!! No really, we mean generous: 13 vacation days, 15 sick days, 11 paid holidays, 6 personal days and up to 5 paid days for continuing education

Golden Gate Regional Center

• Equal Opportunity Employer