Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Adult Foster Care Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), under the supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN), screens AFC Member and Caregiver referrals and completes initial and periodic clinical assessments in the member’s home. Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, the AFC Licensed Practical Nurse develops a comprehensive Plan of Care for each member with input from the AFC Care Manager, the member, and AFC Caregiver and provides individualized AFC nursing services to meet the needs of each AFC Member. S/he orients and trains AFC Caregivers and works collaboratively with the AFC Care Manager as part of a multidisciplinary team to meet the nursing and care management needs of AFC Members.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Under the supervision of the AFC Registered Nurse, the Licensed Practical Nurse reviews each member’s current medical information and completes nursing assessments in the member’s home utilizing the Minimum Data Set (MDS) as required.
2. Coordinate other applicable clinical assessments as needed.
3. Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, the LPN completes MDS and all applicable documents to determine the member’s AFC level upon admission.
4. Reviews member documentation annually and when there is a significant change in the status.
5. Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, the LPN develops and reviews on an ongoing basis an individualized AFC Plan of Care for each member that meets the member’s identified medical, physical, emotional, and social needs as outlined by the program.
6. Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, the LPN monitors each member’s health status and completes a nursing progress note for each visit and encounter and upon any meaningful change in the member’s status.
7. Report changes in the health status of any member to the member’s primary care physician.
8. Coordinate the implementation of physician’s orders with the member, the AFC Caregiver, the AFC Program Director, and the AFC Care Manager.
9. Report changes in the member’s condition to the member’s primary care physician.
10. Send a copy of the member’s updated AFC Plan of Care and a copy of the member’s semiannual health-status report to the member’s physician for review and approval.
11. Educate the member about hygiene and health concerns.
12. Assist with obtaining information and accessing other healthcare and community services, as needed.
13. Make referrals to appropriate service providers if a member requires health or social services other than AFC.
14. Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, the LPN maintains a record of member incidents and accidents in the member’s file.
15. Provide timely responses to the urgent or emergency needs of members.
16. Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, participate in developing an emergency backup and personal care contingency plan for each member that includes an alternative care plan for the member if the AFC Caregiver is temporarily unavailable or unable to provide care.
17. Periodically review AFC Caregiver logs.
18. Identify and report members in at-risk situations, including abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation to the designated entity.
19. Document member medical leaves of absence in the designated tracking form and file it in the member’s record.
20. Select, orient, train, supervise, evaluate, and support AFC Caregivers in conjunction with the AFC Care Manager.
21. Conduct an orientation for each AFC Caregiver before the AFC Caregiver begins personal care.
22. Provide and track ongoing AFC Caregiver training on health and aging to ensure that the AFC Caregiver receives a minimum of eight hours of training per year.
23. Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, plans and coordinates member discharges from the AFC Program.
24. Represent the AFC Program and CBES in the community at large and on professional boards and committees, as appropriate.
25. Attend, participate in, and conduct agency and departmental meetings as may be required.
26. Participate in AFC Program and CBES outreach programs and events as requested.
27. Prepare and submit reports as requested by CBES management.
28. Perform any additional duties as assigned.
29. The LPN will be cross trained to assist HC with CP reviews, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE:

1. Excellent skills in observation, assessment, and problem-solving.
2. Strong people skills, including the ability to relate with Members, AFC Caregivers, primary care physicians, other health care professionals, and other informal and formal supports.
3. Effective advocacy skills, including understanding and sensitivity to cultural issues.
4. Basic knowledge of community resources and programs for elderly and disabled persons.
5. Ability to utilize computer-based record-keeping and reporting systems to collect and analyze data. SAMS experience preferred.
6. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
7. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong presentation, and training skills.
8. Ability to function well under pressure in a fast-paced human service environment.
9. Ability to be flexible, open, and responsive to ongoing industry changes.
10. Ability to work with Members, Caregivers, and coworkers in an urban, multi-ethnic, and racially diverse environment.
11. Strong organizational skills.

Requirements

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

1. Experience working with the Elderly in Adult Foster Care.
2. Fully licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing plus at least two years of recent experience in the direct care of elderly or disabled adults.
3. Must submit documentation of satisfactorily completing a pre-employment physical examination within the previous 12 months of the date of hire for the AFC Program.
4. Must submit documentation of tuberculosis screening within the previous 12 months of the date of hire for the AFC Program.
5. Must submit documentation of tuberculosis screening every two years after that.
6. Ability to lift and carry objects frequently weighing up to 10 to 15 pounds.
7. Ability to climb stairs.
8. Ability to travel to the community to perform visits in Members’ homes.
9. Work requires regular standing, stooping, and bending.