Registered Nurse (RN) - Med Surg
Texas Health & Human Services Commission
Denton, TX

Nurse III RN Charge Nurse

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! The RN - Charge Nurse performs advanced (senior-level) nursing work within the scope of practice attributed to the skills of a registered nurse, under the supervision of the Nurse Manager or other designated staff. Performs comprehensive physical health assessments. Responds to medical emergencies and provides care and treatment of residents and staff members in emergency situations. Assists with the planning, developing, coordination and evaluation of activities related to the nursing function of the assigned area. Develops and presents information in various formats including a meeting format and an In-service training/teaching format. Educates and trains of all levels of staff members and serves as a preceptor to new nursing staff members and for nursing students doing rotations at the facility. Assists the Nurse Manager with leadership and supervision of nursing staff, and assigns the work of others. Provides treatment to HHS employees injured in course and scope of employment. Works under limited supervision with considerable 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 assigned. May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility. Performs comprehensive physical health assessments that include vital signs, listening for lung and bowel sounds, determining blood sugar level, oxygen saturation and more based upon clinical judgment related to acute illness and/or injury to determine appropriate nursing interventions for optimal positive outcomes in individual's health and well-being. Completes the physical assessment form and places it in the individual's medical record. Communicates health status and needs to other disciplines, including primary care physician, nursing staff, and families as needed. Responds to medical emergencies requiring immediate assessment and treatment by medical staff. The nurse will control the emergency scene in the absence of the primary care provider, and makes decision as to whether individual should be transported to the emergency room by EMS. Completes all required paperwork and places it in the individual's medical record. Communicates health status and needs to other disciplines, including primary care physician, nursing staff, and families as needed. Maintains emergency equipment and supplies in designated area and ensures that equipment and supplies are checked daily by nursing staff. Participates in emergency drills with direct contact staff, such as medical and nursing staff, direct support professionals, psychologists, and therapists, to ensure all staff members are adequately trained, using equipment in good working order and can demonstrate correct procedures in dealing with emergency situations involving the health of individuals and staff. Provides oversight of subordinate nursing staff; delegates work assignments; reviews nursing activities in the assigned area. Sets goals and long range plans for the assigned area and makes recommendations to the Nurse Manager and others for improvement; makes rounds of assigned area to ensure that prescribed methods and procedures are followed; directs overall nursing care of assigned area; and updates others about pertinent information concerning unit operations and the individual's health status. Assists Nurse Manager with supervision of subordinate nursing staff by participating in interviews and selection of staff, provides performance data toward the evaluation of subordinate nursing staff in assigned area and makes recommendations to the Nurse Manager on performance evaluation ratings, and makes recommendations regarding disciplinary or reward actions. Actively participates in interdisciplinary team meetings with members including but not limited to the individual, direct support professional, qualified intellectual disability professional, behavioral health specialist, RN/nursing services, therapists, dietician, primary care provider, psychiatrist, dental, pharmacy, vocational services, day programming/retirement, and social workers related to care of individuals in order to manage and coordinate health care to achieve optimal health. Monitors and oversees others to ensure safe professional nursing practices are maintained. Provides teaching and training to staff and individuals on topics including but not limited to medication administration, immunizations, and treatment and observation of individuals for unusual symptoms and reactions. Reviews physician's orders and Medication Administration Records to ascertain that medications/treatments are administered as ordered. Notifies the Nurse Manager and others of any exceptions and makes recommendations regarding corrective action to be taken. Serves as a preceptor to new subordinate nursing staff and nursing students doing rotations within the assigned area; assists the new nurse to complete the "on the job training" checklist, observes and gives feedback as the new nurse performs daily assignments, plans daily learning experiences for the new nurse, meets with the Nurse Manager at the end of the orientation/preceptorship to discuss progress made, and is a continued resource for the new nurse. Maintains compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules and regulation, community health and nursing care principles, practices and procedures, of program regulations and procedures, ICF/IID rules, regulations, policy and procedures related to SSLC facilities. Participates in competency-based training, continuing education activities, and meetings in order to maintain competence in nursing best practice; complies with state mandated continuing education requirements to maintain licensure as a registered nurse; maintains compliance in all agency required core and specialty training requirements in order to ensure competent performance on the job; and maintains skills in CPR and other emergency techniques. Attends meetings as assigned and makes rounds of assigned area(s) on a regular basis. 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: * Considerable knowledge of nursing techniques, standards, and procedures; of health care laws and regulations; of medical diagnoses and procedures; of accepted medical treatment patterns; of community health and nursing care principles, practices, and procedures; of program regulations and procedures; and of utilization review and control measures. * Skill in the care and treatment of individuals. * 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 * 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 organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities and delivery of health services; to interpret policies and procedures; to interpret health care regulations; to recognize patterns of medical necessity treatment; and to plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others. * Ability to interpret regulations and communicate them effectively both orally and in writing. * 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. * Must maintain current CPR certification. Must have strength and flexibility to safely perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). * Knowledge of emergency procedures and emergency equipment, i.e., CPR., and ability to assess and care for residents and/or staff members in emergency situations. * Ability to coordinate on-going health care during routine daily activities or during special activities. * Skill in completion of schedules for nurse staffing and ratios including scheduling of nursing staff for required training/education and workshops. * Knowledge of nursing care standards, the Settlement Agreement and the Healthcare Guidelines or ability to quickly gain the knowledge. * Ability to work independently and productively with all levels of staff. 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. Initial Selection Criteria: At least one (1) year experience as a practicing registered nurse is required. At least two (2) years of experience as a practicing registered nurse in a health agency, hospital, or health-care facility preferred. Bachelor's Degree is preferred. Nursing Leadership experience is preferred. Previous experience working with Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) 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: 68C, 66N/P/W, 290X, 46FX, 46NX, 46SX. For more 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