REGIONAL STAFF NURSE MEDICAL ASSISTANT/HEALTH SERVICES

DEFINITION

Under the direction of a supervisory officer, monitors, evaluates, and determines appropriate levels of care for community – based and/or institutionalized patients; assures the delivery of essential health care needs and quality of service provided to eligible recipients; provides consultation services to assist in adhering to departmental standards; provides Community Choice Counseling to clients and their families regarding community based long term care alternatives; does other related duties.

NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Confers with nursing consultants and provides consultation and in-service education to health care facilities for the purpose of maintaining and/or improving quality nursing services.

Analyzes and assesses comprehensive multi-disciplinary medical records to identify individual Medicaid recipient’s health care program and needs.

Performs client assessment through observation of physical actions, emotional and behavioral characteristics, based on findings, recommends appropriates placement.

Counsels clients and their families regarding community health resources and alternatives to long term care facilities.

Schedules conferences with, and acts as consultants to, community services and health care staff, clients, and community based health agency representatives in order to formulate plants to meet clients’ special health care needs and coordinates the delivery of such services.

Reviews and monitors activities to insure quality of services provided to recipients in state and county psychiatric hospitals, acute care and special hospitals, residential treatment centers, developmental centers, and other specialized settings in cooperation with the New Jersey Departmental of Health.

Monitors and evaluates health care treatment; monitors progress in satisfying clients’ health care needs in accordance with federal, state and departmental rules and regulations.

Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with associates within community services, nursing allied professions, community health agencies, and providers of medical assistance regarding placement of or alternative care for eligible recipients.

Based upon needs assessment, prepares and presents training programs to division staff and members of the health care team in areas such as medication administration, side effects, nuisance disease (scabies, ringworm, etc.), hepatitis A and B, seizures and other health related issues impacting upon the delivery of services to community-based clients.

Provides technical assistance and consultation to county welfare agencies, Division of Youth and Family Services, and district and office staff to assist them in organizing and implementing child health and family planning programs.

Initiates investigation of an/or investigates complaints’, identifies deficiencies in quality of care and/or possible patient abuse situations, environmental safety or other health hazards in accordance with state and federal health and safety laws; evaluates violations within the parameters specified by law and submits comprehensive reports.

Promotes cost effectiveness by identifying, evaluating, recommending, and determining appropriate provision of ancillary health care services and equipment.

Visits long term care health care facilities, including off-hour visits to monitor and promote the delivery of quality health care and to cite observed deficiencies.

Testifies in fair hearings to substantiate professional decisions and level of care judgements.

Participates in the divisional inter-disciplinary meetings to solve problems, present suggestions, and to share professional material and information as requested.

Coordinates review activities and maintaining on-going liaison with professional review teams from other divisions and departments.

Performs all other health care services, depending on assignment within the division, as they relate specifically to the developmentally and physically impaired, child health, family planning, and the geriatric population.

May be required to engage in lifting clients when working in a setting which provides direct services to clients who are non-ambulant or who are semi-ambulant and/or have severe physical handicaps.

Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

Graduation from the accredited college or University with a Bachelor’s degree including or supplemented by successful completion of a curriculum in an approved school of nursing.

EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of experience as a professional Registered Nurse, which shall have included clinical nursing, practice in nursing supervision, nursing education, nursing management, or public health nursing.

NOTE: Two (2) additional years of experience as specified above may be substituted for the Bachelor’s degree.

LICENSE

Applicants must possess a current license or be eligible for licensure as a professional Registered Nurse in the State of New Jersey.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver’s license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

SPECIAL NOTE

Ability to physically lift, move, and position clients as needed.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of health care concepts.

Knowledge of the legal aspects of nursing documentation and nursing decisions.

Knowledge of the principles of management, nursing supervision, and/or health care administration.

Knowledge of rehabilitative, restorative, geriatric, psychiatric and pediatric nursing care.

Knowledge of human growth, development and the aging process.

Knowledge of effective interviewing techniques in the nursing process.

Knowledge of social and economic health needs and resources in the State of New Jersey after a period of training.

Knowledge of Medicare/Medicaid regulations after a period of training.

Knowledge of utilization review and periodic medical review policy and procedures after a period of training.

Knowledge of federal and state health and safety regulations after a period of training.

Knowledge of federal regulations as they relate to the Medicaid program and the licensing of long term care facilities.

Ability to assess and evaluate client health care needs.

Ability to develop innovative concepts and to apply them to program coordination and cooperation.

Ability to assist in the preparation and revision of provider and procedure manuals.

Ability to evaluate objectively the quality of relevant social service and health provider programs in terms of federal and state program requirements.

Ability to work with representatives of state and federal organizations and maintain a cooperative working relationship.

Ability to participate in hearings and provide testimony.

Ability to act in the capacity of client advocate and case manager under special circumstances.

Ability to conduct effective investigations and compose reports.

Ability to interpret and apply necessary rules, regulations, and policies and utilization in the development and implementation of staff training programs.

Ability to prepare correspondence.

Ability to establish and maintain records and files.

Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

CODES: LG – 09023 MCK 3/26/02

This job specification is for local government use only.