Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), is committed to cultivating an inclusive environment that values and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We believe that a diverse workforce not only reflects the communities we serve but also drives our collective success. We actively encourage candidates of all genders, ages, races, sexual orientations, religions, nationalities, and backgrounds to apply for positions at our company. Your unique talents and experiences will play a crucial role in our mission to support people of all abilities to reach their full potential and thrive in their communities.   Join us in creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, heard, and empowered.

The Assistant Vice President of Nursing (AVP) is responsible for ensuring the delivery of the highest quality of health care to the individuals we support.  Under the supervision of the President, the AVP oversees all nursing practices and procedures related to an individual’s plan of care in accordance with regulatory requirements and agency policy.  The AVP ensures that all nursing services in assigned residences/programs are carried out to meet the individual needs of the men and women we support, including providing such nursing services directly when needed.  The AVP supervises the Nursing Supervisors, Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses in assigned programs.  The AVP provides support and coverage to residences/programs as needed and is on call 24/7 for clinical assessment and consultation.

Responsibilities:

Provide for the Health & Safety of the Individuals

• Ensure that the individuals supported receive quality medical services based on individual needs and in accordance with OPWDD, DOH, OMH and other New York State and Federal regulations.
• Ensure that appropriate nursing support is available to respective residences/programs and that nursing hours are allocated based on program/individual needs.

• Ensure all nursing team members receive training on internal policies/protocols, OPWDD, DOH, OMH and other New York State and Federal regulations.

• Ensure nursing team members provide necessary in-service training to direct support professionals and management team members on individuals’ specific medical conditions/health care needs. Ensure that in-service training communicates the policies, procedures and practices of the agency and the nursing department in a consistent manner.

• Ensure that changes in the health needs of individuals are addressed in a timely manner by providing or identifying resources for condition-specific staff training and/or medical care.
• Ensure that medical emergencies are addressed in accordance with regulations and agency policies and procedures, and ensure timely notification and communication to appropriate team members, including family members and administration.

• Advocate on the individuals’ behalf as necessary.
• Report possible violations of individuals’ rights promptly, and complete and submit incident reports in accordance with New York State OPWDD regulations and Agency policy.
• Participate in investigations into incidents occurring within the assigned programs as requested and maintain confidentiality in regard to such investigations.
• Maintain confidentiality of individuals’ information, ensuring full compliance with agency standards and HIPAA requirements.
• Provide coverage in emergency situations as needed or requested.
• Provide staff training in the areas of mandatory nursing in-services (AMAP, OSHA, agency orientation); assist the program nurse in the training of individual-specific topics related to nursing and best practices (e.g. hypertension, diabetic management, ileostomy care etc.).
• Maintain the physical safety and security of the individual by ensuring that all nursing and program staff take precautionary and preventative measures against conditions in the environment which might cause physical harm.
• Ensure that appropriate protective and preventive measures for both staff and individuals are utilized by nursing staff to control communicable and infectious diseases including identification, assessment and reporting of same.
• Notify all providers as necessary in the event of outbreak of communicable disease.

 Management, Supervision and Professional Development of Staff

• Assume lead role in recruiting, hiring, orientation, and training of Nursing Supervisors, Registered Nurses, and Licensed Practical Nurses.
• Ensure compliance with mandatory training requirements.
• Supervise work schedules in assigned programs. Review and approve time and attendance records for staff, ensuring accuracy and in accordance with program budgets.  Review and approve time off requests, ensuring compliance with agency policy, equitable treatment of staff, and adequate program coverage.
• Manage staff performance. Complete introductory and annual performance evaluations for staff on a timely basis.  Provide performance coaching and counseling, with appropriate documentation as needed.
• Provide direct clinical supervision to all Nursing Supervisors, Registered Nurses, and Licensed Practical Nurses on a regular basis.
• Communicate information to nursing staff on an ongoing basis including agency updates, new or revised policies, and OPWDD, DOH, and OMH directives.
• Organize and lead monthly nursing department meetings.
• Attend and participate in workshops and seminars and encourage staff participation in continuing education, lifelong learning, and professional organization membership. Encourage nursing staff to present information at program staff meetings and in other relevant settings.
• Ensure that program nursing staff maintain communication log for each other; and keep day program nursing staff informed as appropriate.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Remain on-call defined as 24/7 days per week for medical emergencies, and provide supervision and guidance for nurses in accordance with Agency policy; ensure communication as necessary, with the President, Medical Director and Administration.
• Participate in internal audits as scheduled; participate in external surveys/audits as they occur; review plans of action regarding these surveys and follows through on all recommendations in a corrective manner.
• Complete POCA reports as assigned and/or requested, and submit within stated time frames. Participate in regular, ongoing meetings as requested or assigned by President.
• Develop and implement Health Care Policies & Procedures as requested by President.
• Develop and implement Health Care Professional Development curriculum as directed by President.

• Attend program staff meetings as needed to provide support and direction to the program.
• Participate as a member of the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team and meetings as necessary.
• Assist in planning new programs and screen program participants for new and existing programs as needed.
• Update/review changes in State or Federal regulations and/or agency policies or procedures. Assist in formulating and directing the implementation of written clinical policies and procedures that reflect the goals, objectives and the mission of the agency.
• Serve on agency committees as required by policies and regulations as requested or assigned by the President.
• Participate in department-related committees (Infection Control, Incident Review, Human Rights, Medical Review Committee, ad-hoc committees) as requested or assigned by the President.
• Oversee, recommend and evaluate the nursing services in each residential program.
• Schedule regular visits to individuals in need of acute and long-term rehabilitative services.
• Schedule site visits to assigned programs on a regular basis and as needed (a minimum of once per quarter).
• Communicate agency, program, staff and individuals’ needs or concerns to the President on a regular basis.
• Monitor individuals’ electronic health care records to ensure that information is regularly updated.
• Review nursing communication log for summary of doctor’s visit; ensure that information is complete, accurate, and documented in the individual’s records including: results of tests and recommendations for necessary follow up.
• Review individuals’ records, incident reports, medication occurrences, in-service training records, infection control reports etc. and all other documentation required to validate nursing services. Counsel and/or re-train staff as needed to ensure accurate reports.
• Communicate all relevant medication information to the President and other relevant staff in a timely manner.
• Ensure that all nursing staff communicate relevant information to program supervisors in a timely manner.
• Conduct a Nursing Quality Improvement audit as indicated to ensure compliance with all regulations, standards and mandatory procedure in collaboration with the Quality Improvement Department.
• Coordinate peer review meetings among nursing staff.
• Assist in maintaining Agency property in a neat, orderly and safe manner, and report all repair needs in a timely manner as per site-specific need.
• Partner with the President and the administrative team to implement policy that promotes nursing best practices in the residences/programs.
• Implement special projects as directed by the President.
• Create and maintain a high performance environment characterized by positive leadership, strong teamwork, and a focus on outcomes.

 Additional Responsibilities

• Obtain/maintain certification in First Aid, CPR, and SCIP.
• Maintain valid New York State driver’s license.  Provide transportation as required, and in own vehicle as needed.
• Ensure training for all employees in OSHA regulations diagnostic protocols. Be available to consult/counsel and refer employees for medical treatment when they have had a possible exposure in consultation with Human Resources and the Medical Director.
• Ensure Hepatitis Vaccine is available to employees as requested and schedules of immunization dates are available to all employees.
• Ensure TB screening dates are available to all employees. Be available to consult with and refer employees who have a PPD conversion.
• Be available to train Management on Health Care practice and responsibilities.
• Be available for new employee orientation on nursing.

• Follow HIPAA and OSHA regulations, including universal precautions.
• Carry cell phone for notification of all emergency situations; respond to calls/e-mail as required by position and agency policy.
• Perform additional administrative duties as necessary and/or requested by the President.
• Establish positive working relationships with President, Medical Director, co-workers, administration, management, clinicians and outside providers.
• Accurately and positively communicate Agency philosophy and administrative decisions to other staff in a timely and professional manner.
• Report and identify problems and suggest solutions to improve working/environment conditions.
• Maintain ongoing communication with day/residential/work programs, families and friends of the individuals, and others involved with the program as well as the individual
• Provide accurate and concise information regarding individual functioning and/or difficulties to team members and providers.
• Receive and communicate effectively on feedback from management, peers, other staff and individuals in a cooperative manner.

 Documentation    

• Complete and submit weekly schedule to the President identifying sites to be visited and goals for the week.
• Complete and submit site-visit summary by the fifth of each month to the President identifying sites visited, concerns noted, plan of action and goals for the coming month.
• Coordinate accurate records in the medical charts, ISP’s, quarterly and semi-annual reviews in accordance with agency and OPWDD regulations.
• Ensure that required documentation for individuals’ records (paper and/or electronic) is completed in a timely, accurate fashion and in accordance with regulations.
• Ensure that required documentation is maintained in the required manner.
• Complete and submit in-service training records for required trainings.
• Complete and submit within the indicated time-frames all required HR documents.
• Handle records in a professional manner to protect individual and employee confidentiality and in accordance with HIPAA and other legal guidelines.
• Maintain New York State nursing license and ensure documentation is submitted to the Human Resources Department.

Education, Work Experience, and Competencies
• Current Registered Professional Nurse with minimum of five years acute care experience.
• Education requirements; minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Master’s degree
preferred, must have previous supervisory experience.
• Previous OPWDD nursing experience preferred. Strong familiarity with federal, state &
local regulations governing health care.
• Follow the Code of Conduct and Agency standards as outlined in the Employee
Handbook.
• Demonstrate professional conduct at all times.
• Ensure that positive and professional relationships are built and maintained with persons
in the community, staff and coworkers.
• Complete tuberculosis screening (PPD) as per New York State regulation
• Attend and complete training in accordance with New York State regulations and Agency
policy.
• Attend support meetings at frequency as requested by President.

USD $ 52.89/Hr - $54.34Hr