Registered Nurse (RN) - Med Surg
Rio Grande State Center / South Texas Health Care System
Harlingen, TX

Nurse III/SSLC

Nurse III Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence. The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers The state of Texas offers many benefits to employees. HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments. We also offer excellent health benefits, a lifetime monthly retirement annuityas well as 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas. If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you! Free CEUs and updated resources through Lippincott access for all nurses. The Acute Care RN performs complex nursing work providing for the assessment, care and treatment of individuals who reside in a State Supported Living Center (SSLC) setting. This position is a member of the professional team and shares responsibility with other team members for the development of the individuals' programs. Evaluates, treats and documents healthcare needs and/or issues and reports needs and/or issues to the appropriate person(s). Communicates with others, such as direct care staff, physicians/PCP, administration, and other nursing staff to ensure optimal care as part of the interdisciplinary team. Notifies the supervisor and PCP of trends and concerns to ensure that communication is in place to provide consistent, high quality care for all persons served. Work involves data entry, documentation, completing reports and maintaining records. Serves as a nurse preceptor for other nurses, as needed, and may assign nursing responsibilities to the unit LVN and RN I, in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act. Participates in facility quality assurance/quality improvement (QA/QI) initiatives, as required. Provides treatment to HHS employees injured in course and scope of employment. Responds to emergency situations to ensure safety and care of individuals and staff. Works under general supervision of the Nurse Manager or Nursing Operations Officer, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends. Essential Job Functions: Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility. Performs complex and technical nursing tasks and procedures in accordance with HHSC, SSLC and state regulations, such as tracheostomy care, gastrostomy/jejunostomy care, wound care, breathing treatments. Collects specimens for laboratory examination and conducts appropriate screening tests when requested by lab personnel. Provides support to Nurse Manager's providing day to day supervision including reviews and follow up on controlled drug counts, medication counts, emergency checklist logs, refrigerator temp logs, and glucose controls. Administers medications, immunizations, and treatments and observes patients for unusual symptoms and reactions. Makes rounds and/or home visits as needed and works in other locations at the SSLC as needed. Monitors individuals' weight, diet, feedings, and vital signs. Monitors for signs and symptoms of illness and uses appropriate nursing judgement to provide adequate care for the individual, including initiating acute care plans. Evaluates nursing intervention outcomes and provides input to other members of the healthcare team. Instructs direct support professionals on how to monitor individuals after a treatment or procedure using instruction sheets such as that used for post-sedation monitoring of signs and symptoms. Timely and accurately documents and reports pertinent treatments and observations in the individual's medical record (electronic health record or paper chart) in accordance with SSLC procedures and protocols. Acts as a preceptor for other nurses, as assigned. Trains/instructs new nurses to perform nursing functions at the SSLC, including acclimating them to the individuals, their needs and preferences. Assists LVNs and RNs with implementation of protocols, procedures and programs to improve overall health and safety of staff and individuals. Provides assistance with completing follow up assessments, guidelines, advance care plan (ACP) interventions, injury reports, restraints, and med variances. Assists the Infection Control nurse by implementing measures that prevent the spread of disease, assists the Quality Assurance Nurse in developing and implementing quality assurance programs, and assists in the implementation of therapeutic nursing programs. Participates in facility Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement initiatives. Responds to emergency situations to ensure safety of individuals. Follows safety and infection control procedures of the SSLC. Provides educational and safety training to SSLC staff upon request. Provides treatment to HHS employees injured in course and scope of employment. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Knowledge Skills Abilities: * Knowledge of nursing techniques and procedures; of health care laws and regulations; of medical diagnoses and procedures; of accepted medical treatment programs; and of community health and nursing care principles, practices, and procedures. * Knowledge of state and federal laws and Intermediate Care Facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF-IID) rules, regulations, policy and procedures related to State Supported Living Center or ability to quickly gain that knowledge. * Knowledge of nursing care standards, the Settlement Agreement and the Healthcare Guidelines or ability to quickly gain the knowledge. * Skill in the care and treatment of patients. * Skills in the use of computer/software and an electronic health record system. * Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present ideas clearly and concisely in both written and oral communications. * Ability to provide patient care; to prepare and maintain records; to interpret policies and procedures; to interpret health care regulations; and to recognize patterns of medical necessity treatment. * Ability to demonstrate a working knowledge of emergency procedures and emergency equipment. * Ability to appropriately interact with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, with their family members, and with staff members. * Ability to work independently and productively with all levels of staff. * Ability to train all levels of staff. * Ability to make decisions and recommendations to SSLC leadership including on-call administrators Registration or Licensure Requirements: Licensed to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Texas (or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact) Must obtain and maintain current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification Initial Selection Criteria: At least one (1) year experience as a practicing registered nurse is required. Two (2) years is preferred. Additional Information: Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities. Males between the ages of 18 - 25 must be registered with the Selective Service. All State Supported Living Center employees are subject to Random drug testing. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. MOS Code: Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include: 66B, 66C, 66E, 66F, 66G, 66H, 66P, 66R, 66S, 66T, 66W, 290X, 46AX, 46FX, 46NX, 46PX, 46SX, 46YX. All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For additional information see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview. Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to Jobs at HHSC and DSHS