Health Programs LPN

Description

DEPARTMENT:  Health Programs

ACCOUNTABILITY:  Reports to Health Programs Nursing Manager

STATUS:  Exempt, Full-time- TBD schedule

JOB SUMMARY

The Health Programs Licensed Practicing Nurse is responsible for conducting comprehensive assessments and reassessments to determine eligibility for the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program, developing clinical recommendations, and collaborating with Care Coordinators to support the health, safety, and independence of program participants. This position ensures compliance with program regulations, conducts ongoing evaluations of client needs, provides education to clients and families, and serves as a liaison among clients, providers, physicians, and community partners.

The Health Programs Licensed Practicing Nurse serves large geographic service areas, which may include portions of a single large county and/or multiple smaller counties. Frequent travel is required to conduct in-home assessments, reassessments, case consultations, and other program-related activities throughout the assigned service area. The position requires effective time management, strong communication skills, clinical judgment, and the ability to work independently while maintaining compliance with all applicable program, regulatory, and organizational requirements. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions

· Responds to admission referrals, annual assessments, and requested reassessments within established program timeframes.

· Completes a minimum of 16 initial assessments and reassessments per month.

· Determines program eligibility utilizing the MDS-HC assessment tool and Intermediate Level of Care criteria.

· Conducts supplemental assessments in accordance with program regulations and requirements.

· Educates clients and their representatives regarding all aspects of the program and obtains required signatures and documentation.

· Participates in case conferences, utilizing a comprehensive approach to assess, discuss, and clarify client needs.

· Collaborates with Care Coordinators in the development and ongoing revision of Comprehensive Care Plans to maintain or improve clients' health and functional status.

· Creates, updates, and adjusts service orders as necessary to support client needs and care plan objectives.

· Provides clinical support and consultation to Care Coordinators regarding client care concerns and program requirements.

· Maintains current knowledge of and compliance with the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program Manual, Provider Service Manuals, and applicable regulations.

· Serves as a liaison among clients, family members, providers, physicians, and other stakeholders to address concerns, resolve problems, and ensure service compliance.

· Reports suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to Adult Protective Services (APS) and documents incidents in the Department of Community Health (DCH) Incident Reporting System as required.

· Attends hearings as requested and provides necessary documentation, records, and testimony to support program decisions.

· Participates in monthly staff meetings and other required trainings or meetings.

· Maintains strict confidentiality and complies with all HIPAA requirements and organizational privacy standards.

· Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned. 

Requirements

  EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS

    Education:

• Graduate of an accredited Nursing School or Program 

Knowledge and Experience:

• Two years’ experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse in one of the following areas:

o Geriatric nursing

o Community health

o Long term care

o Chronic diseases of adults

Skills:

• Ability to communicate and coordinate effectively with clients, family members, service providers, other agency staff, and care      coordination staff.
• Proficient computer skills with ability to learn agency systems.
• Well organized and detail oriented.
• Demonstrates knowledge of health care and human services programs.
• Knowledge of community organization and service system development.
• Knowledge and understanding of the EDWP programs.

Licensure and Certification

• Valid State Driver’s License
• Current valid Georgia LPN License

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully preform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, on a case-by-case basis.

• Required travel within the 35-county region
• Attendance at off-premises meetings, conferences or trainings. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel and to walk,    sit, talk or hear.
• Required to inspect and safely operate a motor vehicle in a wide range of weather and traffic conditions
• May be required to walk on uneven terrain to get to client homes
• Regularly required to use hands to write, use computer, operate a motor vehicle, use a handheld device and telephone, and manipulate documents
• Regularly required to read documents and write neatly, legibly, and transcribe accurate information and numbers/values
• Employee continually engages in activities      that require talking and hearing
• Frequent: standing, sitting, walking, repetitive use of hands, simple grasping and fine hand manipulation, pushing and pulling hand. Occasionally required to life or to reach above shoulder level
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and /or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth      perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• The noise level in the environment is moderate as phone conversations with the hard of hearing occur daily.
• Temperature ranges from normal indoor climate-controlled environment in buildings or vehicles, various outdoor conditions and temperature extremes encountered during off-site travel, and unpredictable indoor environmental conditions encountered in client homes or other off-site locations

Generally, the job requires 50% sitting, 25% walking, and 25% standing.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, on a case-by-case basis.

• This job operates in an office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• Temperature ranges from normal indoor climate-controlled environment in buildings or vehicles, various outdoor conditions and temperature extremes encountered during off-site travel, and unpredictable indoor environmental conditions      encountered during off-site travel, and unpredictable indoor environmental conditions encountered at off-site locations.
• Noise level is generally quiet to moderate.

The Legacy Link, Inc. is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.