Children's Aid

Position Summary: Under the supervision of the MFC Nursing Supervisor, the licensed practical nurse is responsible for the coordination of care for medically fragile or special needs children residing in foster homes or long-term care facilities, as part of assuring a quality medical home at Childrens Aid. Other responsibilities include making mandated monthly facility visits, providing health education and skill building for the foster parents and biological parents, accompanying foster parents to medical appointments and advocating for the needs of the children on the caseload.Responsibilities: Illustrative Requirements of Work:Nursing assessment and patient care:Creates, implements and maintains a care plan for each identified problem. Provides daily management and coordination of appointments, supplies, and medication for foster children on caseload and acts as a resource to other staff members involved in patient carePerforms mandated monthly facility and emergency home visits, jointly with case planner, and provides complete, purposeful, accurate and detailed assessments of the home environment, including follow-up from previous home visits.Accompanies foster parents to specialty appointments and acts as a liaison between the health care provider and foster parent.Provides health education and skills building for foster and biological parents on the childs medical condition, proper administration of medication, safety precautions including response to side effects, universal precautions, age anticipatory guidance, and any other training based on the care plan.Shows competency in nursing practices: proper nursing skills, proper use of medical equipment and terminology, employs current nursing protocols and procedures.Assists the NP/MD with well child care, follow-up and sick visits of foster children on their caseload. Administers immunizations as directed by NP/MD.Makes appropriate referrals for hearing and vision screening and other problems, and follows up in a timely manner.Triages daily phone calls Administration:Maintains medical records in an updated (real-time), organized, and legible condition, including medication, feeding and therapy changes.Assures medical reports are in the medical record within a reasonable time frame (2 weeks after appointment). Communicates in a timely manner with team (social worker, foster parent, biological parent, psychiatrist, and pediatrician) about missed or rescheduled appointments and any special assistance required, i.e. translator, transportation, and/or cultural.Ongoing telephone communication with foster parents to ensure continuity of care.Completes and submits school forms, reports, rate forms and summaries in a timely manner. Professional Development:Continues to update professional knowledge both formally and informally by actively pursuing continuing education units through an accredited organization. Interdisciplinary skills:Attends Program-Based Health Center meetings, weekly nurse case conferences, and monthly foster care staff meetings, Family Team Conferences, and other CAS site meetings.Works collaboratively with social workers, administrative staff, doctors and community health care providers.Performs other related duties as requested.Implements philosophy and objectives of the program.Qualifications: NYS Licensed Practical NurseMinimum High School Diploma/GED required.3-5 years experience in pediatric nursing with special needs children.Excellent verbal and writing skills.Goal oriented with strong time management skillsFlexibility and ability to work under pressure.Bilingual (Spanish) ability a plus.