The Department of Mental Health Southeast Area's On Grounds Adult Residential Program is seeking dynamic Registered Nurse to support the 24/7 staffed, adult group living environment within a 47 bed State operated program. The RN IV functions as the Area OnGrounds Residential Program’s RN IV by managing the health care of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, problematic sexualized behavior, and/or other high risk behavioral problems receiving services from the Department of Mental Health and served within the Residential program; provides consultation to direct care staff on an as needed basis; serves as an advocate; provides Medication Administration Program (MAP) oversight to the OnGrounds Program; and performs ongoing training and support to licensed and certified staff for and within the program, provides routine and emergency medical care, ensures that appropriate medical linkages to community treatment providers are made, and completes all PHA in an accurate and timely way.

This role serves as the Southeast Area MAP Consultant to state operated Residential and ACCS programs by providing initial MAP certification training to all newly hired staff of the State operated programs, providing consultation to these programs as requested, has a leadership role with other designated MAP Consultant RNs for each Site/Facility in developing curriculum and by standardizing annual trainings, special trainings, and recertification’s for staff of each State run Residential and ACCS programs within the Southeast Area.

Please Note The position is 40 hours per week on the day shift. The selected candidate will work 8:00AM-4:30PM. The days off are Sunday and Saturday. The primary work location will be on the grounds of Taunton State Hospital; however, this position will support all sites in the Southeast Area as needed.

Employees in this position will be required to perform mandatory overtime.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties and responsibilities are not all inclusive):

• Understands all DMH regulations and program procedures pertaining to Adult Residential services by mastery of the program and agency manuals and under the supervision of the Program Director or designee to ensure that quality care is provided and that services are provided in compliance with DMH polices, regulations, and procedures.
• Functions as the On Grounds Residential program’s RN providing nursing oversight, consultation, and problem solving to the program’s LPNs and MAP Certified Staff across seven 24/7 supervised state operated GLEs, all shifts.
• Provides care to individuals served by the program by utilizing a Person-Centered Approach within a recovery model of care.
• May provide direct skilled nursing care to individuals served by the On Grounds Residential program; may attend medical appointments with individuals who have medically complex and/or unstable conditions and/or provide guidance and training to those direct care staff who attend these appointments; and may, per the Board of Registration in Nursing guidelines, provide emergency/episodic care to individuals when needed.
• Upon admission, completes/designates the initial record review for each individual to identify her/his health need and establish related care plans.
• With On Grounds Program clinical staff and directly with persons served, consults on and assists staff in the development of all Initial and Annual Comprehensive Assessments and Individual Action Plans.
• Determine when additional staffing may be needed to support the medical needs of person served.
• May confer with medical, administrative and other staff as needed to determine the health status and needs of individuals served by the On Grounds Residential program and reviews records on a regular basis to ensure adequate services and supports are provided, referrals are obtained as needed, immunizations are current, health screenings and diagnostic tests are done as appropriate.
• Periodically reviews the health status of individuals by observing and interviewing individuals, examining documents, and making recommendations.When necessary, will ensure that care and services are adjusted in conjunction with other providers.
• Identifies, evaluates, and responds to changes in the condition of persons served, documenting, any changes in behavior which might require clinical and or medical intervention and may provide 1:1 support as needed, request assessment by the local crisis team or emergency room as appropriate, and can advocate for and facilitate meetings of providers in order to address behavioral and treatment needs of individuals served by the On Grounds Residential program.
• When providing care, responsible for all administrative, medical, and clinical record documentation requirements for the On Grounds program by recording in the individual’s record and by submitting information in a thorough and timely manner so that other service providers/staff are aware of all treatment interventions provided and so that the medical record is in compliance with DMH and program standards.
• Provides MAP consultation to On Grounds Residential staff; visits each of the programs group living environments (GLEs) on a regular basis to determine if there is compliance with MAP regulations, makes recommendations to correct any non-compliance if noted, and immediately addresses any item(s) that are not in compliance and that pose a risk to any individual served.
• Ensures that all reported medication occurrences within the On Grounds program are reviewed in a timely fashion and that the Medication Occurrence Reports (MOR’s) within the program are reviewed at least on a quarterly basis and that all Hotline MOR’s are reviewed within 24 hours of the medication occurrence.
• Conducts quality assurance reviews for each On Grounds GLE by completing all requirements of the MAP Technical Assistance Tool and reviewing the findings of each oversight visit with the Program Director.
• As a member of the program’s Leadership Team, demonstrates professional ethics, acts as a positive role model, participates in staff meetings, medication reviews, clinical reviews, and establishes and maintains a strong and respectful professional relationship with program leadership and direct care staff.
• Functions as the liaison for the On Grounds program to the assigned Infection Control Nurse.
• Conducts or coordinates First Aid, CPR, Fit Testing, and all medically relevant trainings.
• With the Southeast Director of Learning and Development, serves as the Southeast Area MAP Consultant to State operated residential and ACCS programs by providing initial MAP certification training to all newly hired staff as well as remedial training and support to State operated programs and providing consultation to these programs as requested.
• With the Southeast Director of Learning and Development, has a leadership role with other designated MAP Consultant RNs for each Site/Facility in developing curriculum and by standardizing annual training, special trainings, and recertifications for staff of each state run residential and ACCS program within the Southeast Area.
• Demonstrates technical competency in all aspects of MAP while demonstrating the skills necessary to train staff, provide staff with direction, provide role modeling, and provide appropriate learning experiences to those Area staff requiring MAP Certification upon first hire.
• Consults with the Area MAP Coordinator for technical assistance as needed when questions arise regarding training needs, current standards of MAP practice, and interpretation of policies developed by DPH and DMH.
• Collaborates with RNs and MAP supervisory staff throughout the Area state run residential and ACCS programs to identify MAP related issues and makes recommendations for steps to address issues and/or improve quality of MAP programing.
• Assures that each Area state run residential and ACCS program is conducting ongoing Quality Assurance Reviews and utilizing the MAP Technical Assistance Tool including providing periodic reports to Area leadership.
• Responsible for attending Area and Site/Facility specific meetings, hearings, answering inquiries, and for providing information, preparing reports, and preparing correspondence as needed.
• Upon request or as needed will prepare and/or maintain case records, narrative reports, statistical reports and other records as required by the Area or in response to requests by Site and Facility Program Directors.
• Collects data regarding specific needs of individuals served and/or the ongoing training needs of Area and Site/Facility MAP certified staff.
• Enters training data and attendance into the Commonwealth’s Learning Management System in a timely and reliable way.
• Visits each state run residential and ACCS program as needed.
  

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of nursing.
• Knowledge of the principles and correct usage of the English language including grammar, spelling, sentence structure, word meaning and punctuation.
• Knowledge of first aid techniques.
• Knowledge of custodial care problems (personal hygiene, diets, grooming, and dressing) of special resident groups such as psychiatrically impaired individuals.
• Knowledge of standard nursing methods and techniques followed in the application of medical and/or surgical dressings.
• Knowledge of the terminology, symbols and standard abbreviations used in medical practice.
• Knowledge of the types and application of emergency medical procedures such as cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Knowledge of the techniques followed in collecting blood and urine samples from patients for diagnostic purposes.
• Knowledge of nursing practices and procedures relative to psychiatry.
• Knowledge of human anatomy as applied to nursing.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain harmonious working relationships.
• Ability to effectively deal with physical and verbal abuse from residents
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in a written format.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and individually.
• Ability to motivate residents.
• Ability to be creative in developing treatment plans and activities for residents.
• Ability to exercise patience, empathy and understanding.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• MAP Trainer
• Knowledge of Medication Administration Program.
• First Aid and CPR Trainer
• Experience working with individuals with mental illness and co-occurring disorders.
• Experience transitioning individuals from inpatient setting through stages to more independent living.
• Experience working in a 24/7 residential program for adults with mental illness.
• Supervision of a multi-disciplinary team.
  

Working Conditions:

• While performing the duties of this position, incumbents work under stressful situations and under time pressures.
• Applicants may be exposed to verbal and/or physical confrontations and potentially dangerous environments.
• Incumbents will work weekends and holidays and may work extended hours.
  

About the On Grounds Program:

On Grounds Program is part of the Taunton/Attleboro Site that transitions clients from an inpatient setting to a more independent community living setting. The Program is staffed 24 hours a day/7 day a week. We aspire to create an environment which promotes growth and independence for patients, families, and employees alike.

Learn more about our important work: Southeast Area | Mass.gov

DMH Vision and Mission: The Department of Mental Health, as the State Mental Health Authority, assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights, and supports mental health training and research. This critical mission is accomplished by working in partnership with other state agencies, individuals, families, providers, and communities.

Pre-Hire Process
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants."

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation:

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122, Option 4.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience as a registered nurse in a recognized hospital, clinic or medical facility and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory, administrative or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Graduate degree with a major in Nursing may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.* No substitutions will be allowed for the required (B) experience.

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LEVELS IN SERIES:Current and valid registration as a professional nurse under the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.*

*Recent graduates from an approved school of nursing must have applied for the first available registered nurse examination. Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license may be required.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

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Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.