ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual / developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to support people of all abilities reach their full potential and thrive in their communities. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including: housing; recovery services; transition to work; employment; day, community and family services; respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy.

The Health Educator, RN is responsible for the design, delivery and coordination of healthcare related education and professional development to employees of the FREE Network. Education is delivered in accordance with requirements and regulations as set forth under the varied government agencies, including but not limited to: The Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), the Office of Mental Health (OMH), and the Department of Health (DOH). The Health Educator, RN is also responsible for providing on-site support to deliver targeted healthcare education when the need is identified as a result of internal/external audits or to address an acute healthcare educational need that may arise. In addition, there will be a focus on quality outcomes for people we support by enhancing employee professional growth in the area of healthcare education in order to best support and address the unique integrated health needs of people that is in line with the philosophy of the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL).

DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conducts initial AMAP certification and AMAP recertification training for applicable employees as per OPWDD regulatory requirements and ensure utilization of an approved OPWDD curriculum.
• • Conducts healthcare related education and professional development.
  • Ensures educational material is accurate and reflects the most current and up to date information regarding regulatory and agency requirements.
  • Responsible for the coordination of related healthcare courses (ie. CPR/FA, AMAP, Tube Feeding, Diabetic/Insulin injection, etc.) at varied times/days/locations to meet the needs of the employees who require those courses.
  • Responsible for coordinating initial PPD screenings for all new staff; planting, interpreting, and documenting PPD test results.
  • Collaborates with the Training Department in coordinating scheduling of courses when necessary.
  • Conducts healthcare needs training during new hire orientation and leadership/management training (i.e., communicable diseases, universal precautions, OSHA, Diabetes, Choking Prevention, Nutrition, etc.).
  • Conducts programmatic medical reviews, as needed.
  • Observes AMAP pourings for staff, as needed.
  • Conducts nursing in-service training in agency programs as needed including but not limited to: recognition of illness or dysfunction, disease, infestation and indicators of injury that warrant medical or nursing intervention; taking vital signs; addressing individual-specific health problems and needs (e.g. diabetic/daily foot care); administering any necessary treatment (e.g. warm soaks); performing first-aid on occasion of accidents (injury); making a diagnosis; following proper emergency procedures; writing incident reports and additional topics as needed.
  • Assists in the development and implementation of written clinical policies and procedures and best practices that reflect the objectives of agency strategic goals and the mission of the agency.
  • Ensures that all training follows policy, procedures and best practices of the Agency.
  • Assesses areas of healthcare education related needs within the Agency and determine targeted or on-going education that may be necessary.
  • Reviews current existing training (i.e. Relias courses) to determine appropriateness and effectiveness for agency employees when requested and propose learning plans based on that feedback.
  • Ensures that all required documentation (paper and electronic) is completed /processed appropriately, in a timely manner, and meets quality and compliance thresholds.
  • Ensures the proficiency in Microsoft programs including the development of interactive e-learning courses via Articulate and other educational software.
  • Provides expertise and support to the organization and its affiliates with educational regulations as set forth by governing bodies including analysis of and assistance with the interpretation and integration of applicable regulations (where applicable).
  • Collaborates with the Training Department to ensure a high quality of delivery of courses and on-going employee development.
  • Coordinates site visits to programs as needed to assess effectiveness of education. Work in collaboration with other support departments to identify those needs (i.e. Professional Development, Quality Improvement, Incident and Investigatory Services)
  • Assists with the reviewing of incident/occurrence reports and internal recordables and provide education and/or re-training of employees as identified by Incident Review Committees.
  • Communicates all relevant information to the Director of the Training Department and other relevant employees in a timely manner.
  • Coordinates both internal and external learning opportunities by utilizing resources both within and outside of the Agency. This may include teaching or facilitation of an event (ie. health fairs, integrated health conference).
  • Participates in regular support meetings with the Director of the Training Department for feedback and review of responsibilities.
  • Works in collaboration with the Training Department to ensure proper maintenance of all healthcare related learning documentation (i.e. sign in sheets, tests, certificates, OMR-811s, etc.)
  • Assists with the tracking of attendance data to produce agency wide trends for attendance to identified classes on a quarterly and as needed basis.
  • Coordinates and oversees training, certification and supervision of CPR and First Aid for healthcare professionals and any additional training education as requested by the Director of the Training Department.
  • Participates in the development and delivery of specialized healthcare training, including healthcare guidelines and procedures in collaboration with the Assistant Directors of Nursing and/or the Medical Director.
  • Participates in the development and delivery of specialized nursing training for new RNs as a supplement to regular agency orientation in collaboration with the Assistant Directors of Nursing.
  • Represents the agency on appropriate external and internal committees as assigned by the Director of the Training Department.
  • Completes necessary reports as requested by the Director of the Training Department and submit within required timeframes.
  • Demonstrates problem solving, leadership, team building skills and collegiality in order to ensure a productive and professional and collaborative work environment with all operating divisions to support achievement of strategic goals.
  • Perform additional responsibilities, as assigned.

Responsibilities of All FREE Employees

• Work in collaboration with the Training Department to ensure all outside AMAP documentation (i.e. OMR 811 forms) received by the Agency is verified as per agency policy and procedure.
• Obtain/maintain personal instructor certification in required trainings, including but not limited to First Aid and CPR.
• Ensure maintenance of a current Registered Nursing License (RN) and that a current copy is maintained in the personnel file with the Human Resources Department.
• Always communicates in a respectful manner with all people including the people we support, supervisors, other valued team members, and members of the community.
• Complies fully with FREE’s confidentiality policies by holding in strictest confidence all information pertaining to members, residents, the people we support and their families, clients, providers, contractors, and employees.
• Meets all safety training requirements; adheres to all safety policies and reports any and all unsafe conditions; takes measures to prevent accidents and/or eliminate conditions that pose a safety or health risk.
• Coordinates, supports, attends and participates in all required events/ meetings/ reviews/ committees, including ones outside of standard working hours.
• Meets all job requirements and stays in compliance.
• Adheres to FREE’s standard of ethical behavior as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct as well as applicable laws and regulations.

Please note the above duties, responsibilities, and essential functions are a non-exhaustive list, and may be changed by FREE at any time, with or without notice to the employee.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Registered Professional Nurse with a degree in Nursing.
• Minimum of 5 years nursing experience and professional experience working with persons with developmental disabilities, mental health and/or other disabilities preferred.
• Must be a licensed Registered Nurse.
• Teaching or instructional facilitation experience strongly preferred.
• Previous OPWDD Nursing experience preferred; strong familiarity with federal, state & local regulations governing health care.
• Experience and familiarity with OPWDD, OMH, DOH and other government run entities preferred.
• Demonstrate expertise and skill in delivering successful outcomes and results within specified timeframes.
• Strong, effective, and positive communications skills both written and oral.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage and balance multiple competing priorities while adhering to and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work independently with a strong initiative and vision for agency healthcare needs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This role is performed in-person. Must have an ability to establish positive working relationships with colleagues, management, clinicians, and external providers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Employee is required to sit, walk and stand for prolonged period of time (at least 8 hours).
• Employee is required to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Employee is required to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax and filing cabinets.
• Employee is required to reach with hands and arms.
• Employee is required to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch or stand on a stool as needed.
• Employee is required to be able to lift 50 pounds at a time.

Notwithstanding the above listed physical requirements of this position, FREE will provide reasonable accommodations to allow employees to perform the essential functions of the position, provided such reasonable accommodations do not cause undue hardship on FREE.

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The Pay Range for this job is $82,000-$88,000. This range is based on what FREE reasonably believes it will pay an employee as for said position at the time of the posting. Individual compensation will ultimately be determined based on a variety of relevant factors, including, but not limited to, an individual’s experience, qualifications, services provided, geographic location, relevant skills, and other factors permitted under federal, state, and local laws.

FREE is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected characteristic. In addition to federal law requirements, FREE complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in all of its locations. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

This job description has been approved by all levels of management.