Registered Nurse (RN) - Med Surg
Austin State Hospital
Austin, TX

Nurse III

Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence. The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers The state of Texas offers many benefits to employees. HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments. We also offer excellent health benefits, a lifetime monthly retirement annuityas well as 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas. If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you! Free CEUs and updated resources through Lippincott access for all nurses. The RN Case Manager Supervisor performs highly complex nursing work overseeing the assessment, care and integrated treatment of individuals residing at the SSLC. Plans, organizes, and manages the daily activities of RN Case Managers in accordance with SSLC and HHSC policies and procedures, state and federal rules and regulations, and ICF-IID standards. Sets goals and long-range plans for SSLC RN case management services. Provides clinical direction and expertise to RN Case Managers. Oversees RN case management performance indicators. Performs audits and chart reviews. Oversees the interaction of the RN Case Managers with individuals and teams and the quality of the RN Case Managers participation in the individual's interdisciplinary team (IDT). Provides feedback to the RN Case Manager and takes any corrective action needed. Oversees nursing case management policies and procedures and recommends changes when needed. Utilizes data as a basis to identify and address patterns and trends as they relate to the delivery of nursing case management. Oversees the RN Case Managers' analysis of data for trends for incidents and issues. Participates in quality assurance reviews and other activities related to the development/enhancement/refinement of nursing policy and procedure in order to evaluate and improve the quality of nursing case management provided. Develops and updates training curricula and provides in-service training. Provides consultation, training and technical assistance to nurses, IDT members and others. Mentors and coaches new RN Case Managers and other nursing staff within the scope of practice. Attends various meetings as assigned and depending upon the needs of the SSLC. Provide direct care nursing services and responses to urgent matters as needed. Provides treatment to HHS employees injured in course and scope of employment. Performs other duties as assigned. Works under the limited supervision of the Chief Nurse Executive (CNE) or Nurse Operations Officer (NOO), with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Essential Job Functions: Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility. Sets goals and long-range plans for SSLC RN case management services and manages assigned personnel. Hires and assigns caseloads to RN Case Managers. Ensures caseloads are adequately distributed so that individuals' receive optimal case management services. Reassigns caseloads when necessary to adequately balance resources. Establishes and evaluates a nursing case management staffing plan that identifies minimum case management resources needs to comply with all regulatory and professional standards. Apprises nursing management of nursing case management services resource allocation and reallocation needs and action(s) taken. Seeks and utilizes suggestions to effectively streamline work efforts and minimize redundancy. Tracks and aggregates information for the purpose of analysis and feedback to program staff as well as leadership. Proactively identifies and seeks opportunities for improved recruitment and retention of qualified personnel. Conducts performance evaluations as assigned. Ensures awards and recognition activities that promote staff morale. Promotes an environment that empowers nurses to provide effective, compassionate and efficient case management by fostering a climate that enhances job satisfaction through productivity and quality improvement. Plans, organizes, and manages the daily activities of RN Case Managers in accordance with SSLC and HHSC policies and procedures, state and federal rules and regulations, and ICF-IID standards. Provides clinical direction and expertise and ensures that the nursing case management plans are developed based on an appropriate assessment of specific and specialized resident needs. Oversees RN case management performance indicators to ensure each RN Case Manager properly monitors the health status of the individuals assigned them and completes assigned tasks timely and with quality. Effectively uses a tracking system to oversee due dates and timeliness of completion. Conducts record reviews to audit the quality work performed by the RN Case Manager including the annual assessment, risk ratings, nursing plans of care. Provides feedback to the case manager and takes any corrective action needed Oversees the interaction of the RN Case Managers with individuals and teams. Conducts periodic rounds/ observations of the assigned RN Case Managers performing routine work on the home with individuals and staff members, and in unit meetings. Collaborates with Nurse Manager and other involved managers to ensure RN Case Managers are prepared and providing accurate information and quality services. Conducts monthly meeting(s) with RNCM and nurse managers to provide feedback and resolve issues. Oversees the quality of the RN Case Managers participation in the individual's interdisciplinary team (IDT) and assists the RN Case Manager is resolving any issues that arise. Periodically attends unit meetings to ensure RN Case Managers are prepared and providing accurate information for the development of service plans. Performs chart reviews/audits to determine the IDT documentation is sufficient and accurate. Assists RN Case Managers in resolving issues that arise in the IDT such as a difference of opinion on clinical issues, necessary tests or services, and/or treatment protocols. As needed, advocates for the RN Case Managers perspective within the IDT, providing additional information or training to IDT members. Initiates action to resolve issues with other IDT managers and consults with the Chief Nurse Executive (CNE) if necessary. Oversees nursing case management policies and procedures and recommends changes when needed. Facilitates the implementation of standards of practice that are consistent with the Board of Nursing, ICF-IID standards, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) conditions of participation, Texas Administrative Code (TAC), and the rules and regulations of the Agency and SSLC. Participates in quality assurance reviews and other activities related to the development/enhancement/refinement of nursing policy and procedure in order to evaluate and improve the quality of nursing case management provided. Oversees implementation of local Quality Improvement plans (QIPs) and corrective action plans (CAPs) involving RN Case Manager duties. Utilizes data as a basis to identify and address patterns and trends as they relate to the delivery of nursing case management. Oversees the RN Case Managers' analysis of data for trends for incidents and issues such as emesis, falls, seizures, restraints, adverse drug reactions and/or injuries. Oversees that, based on data analysis and trending, RN Case Managers are using good clinical judgement, communicating issues to the IDT, completing a change of status to ensure a care plan is put in place, and ensuring risk levels are appropriate. Develops and updates training curricula, including the RN Case Manager training curriculum, and provides training to new and incumbent RN case managers in collaboration with the Nurse Educator. Provides in-service training to professional staff and other specialty areas as needed in collaboration with the Nurse Educator. Oversees that required training is completed. Assigns targeted training, such as training on nursing care plans, to RN Case Managers based upon audits/reviews. Provides consultation, training and technical assistance to nurses, IDT members and others on standards and practices for nursing case management. Facilitates, coaches, and supervises others in the development and deployment of strategies to ensure optimal levels of nursing case management services. Establishes and maintains professional work relationships with individuals, co-workers, supervisors, ancillary staff and visitors. Mentors and coaches new RN Case Managers and other nursing staff within the scope of practice. During rounds, ensures individuals have their supports and assists DSPs when necessary. Attends various meetings as assigned and depending upon the needs of the SSLC such as: morning medical meeting, IDTs in the absence of the assigned RN Case Manager, medical provider meetings, human rights committee, level of supervision meetings, transition meetings, pre-placement visits, Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement (QAQI), and/or skin integrity/wound care meetings. Completes any required actions and documentation following the meeting. Participates in other work groups and processes as assigned such as reviews of serious incidents, mortality review committee, state-and federal monitoring and review processes. Oversees the records and documents provided by RN Case Managers for these reviews. Provide direct care nursing services and responses to urgent matters (such as high profile incidents) as needed. Administers medication, immunizations, and treatment, and observes patients for unusual symptoms and reactions. Provides treatment to HHS employees injured in course and scope of employment. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Knowledge Skills Abilities: Knowledge of nursing techniques, standards, and procedures; of health care laws and regulations; of medical diagnoses and procedures; of accepted medical treatment patterns; of community health and nursing care principles, practices, and procedures; of program regulations and procedures; and of utilization review and control measures. Knowledge of state and federal laws and Intermediate Care Facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF-IID) rules, regulations, policy and procedures related to State Supported Living Center or ability to quickly gain that knowledge. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present ideas clearly and concisely in both written and oral communications. Skill in the care and treatment of patients. Skills in the use of computer/software and an electronic health record system. Skill in time management and prioritization. · Strong interpersonal skills which promote teamwork. Strong coaching skills. Ability to appropriately interact with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, with their family members, and with staff members. Ability to provide patient care; to prepare and maintain records; to interpret policies and procedures; to interpret health care regulations; and to recognize patterns of medical necessity treatment. Ability to interpret regulations and communicate them effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities. Ability to instruct, train, and supervise the work of others. Ability to work independently and productively with all levels of staff. Ability and skills to perform comprehensive physical assessments and identify abnormal findings on evaluation and to recognize signs and symptoms of illness or injury. Ability to analyze, assimilate, and integrate information in order to make nursing judgments about conditions and the acuity of conditions, to develop plans of care, and to evaluate outcomes of care. Ability to provide nursing care for residents and/or staff members in emergency situations. Must maintain current CPR certification. Must have strength and flexibility to safely perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Registration or Licensure Requirements: Licensed to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Texas or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact. Initial Selection Criteria: At least one (1) year experience as a practicing registered nurse is required. At least two (2) years of experience as a practicing registered nurse in a health agency, hospital, or health-care facility is preferred. Quality assurance monitoring experience is preferred. Bachelor's degree is preferred. Previous experience working with individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) is preferred. Additional Information: All applicants must pass: pre-employment drug screen, fingerprint criminal background check, and Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Employee Misconduct Registry and Nurse/Aide Registry checks. Males between the ages of 18 - 25 must be registered with the Selective Service. All State Supported Living Center employees are subject to Random drug testing. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. MOS Code: Note: Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include: 66B-H, 66N/P/R, 290X, 46FX, 46NX, 46SX. For more information see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview. Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to Jobs at HHSC and DSHS