Per Diem Registered Nurse (RN) (Brain Injury)

About the role

Functions in a direct care nursing capacity and consults with other clinicians regarding health promotion and maintenance of individuals diagnosed with a brain injury. Also responsible for medication administration and oversight of acute and chronic medical needs.

Responsibilities

• Administers medication and medical treatment to persons served.
• Obtains and maintains required physician orders and other health related documentation as required by Vinfen, state, and federal guidelines.
• Collaborates with Vinfen Nurse Liaison for issues pertaining to the Medication Administration Program (MAP).
• Provides education, consultation, and training to staff and persons served regarding changes in health status, health promotion, and maintenance.
• Works as a liaison between program and community health care providers to promote access to community resources and quality urgent and routine medical/dental care.
• Takes and documents client’s temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure per IAP and as ordered by the primary care clinician.
• Collates sputum, urine, and stool samples as appropriate and ordered by the primary care clinician.
• Administers medication and treatments as ordered by primary care provider.
• Maintains client’s/persons served medical equipment and supplies that includes, but is not limited to, wheelchairs, walkers, Hoyer lifts, and hospital beds.
• Attends and transports clients/persons served to medical appointments, as needed.
• Attends case conferences and attends internal and external clinical and divisional related meetings, as necessary.
• Provides staff education, consultation, and training related to medical care management for persons served during a pandemic, state of emergency, or natural disaster.
• Adheres to all company and divisional and program specific policies and procedures, including safe work practices, worker’s compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Complies with accreditation and licensing standards, as well as regulations.
• Demonstrates best nursing practices and meets state requirement of continuing education to maintain RN licensure and certifications.
• Maintains current knowledge base of human service issues and trends as related to psychiatric, medical, and rehabilitation issues.
• Supports staff in crisis management, as needed.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Knowledge And Skills

• Knowledge of empowerment and self-advocacy techniques.
• Sensitivity to the cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues.
• Knowledge of human, legal, civil rights, community, and other resources.
• Knowledge and use of different communication and learning styles.
• Ability to balance competing priorities.
• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions.
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity.
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment.

About Vinfen

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers.

Qualifications

• Three to five years of experience working with people with psychiatric disabilities/developmental disabilities and medical illnesses and other co-occurring disorders preferred.
• Experience working with individuals with brain injury preferred.
• A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Bachelor’s degree in Nursing is strongly preferred; Associate’s degree in Nursing is required.
• CPR is required within two weeks of hire.
• Safety Care is required within 90 days of hire.