2016-09-23

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) Office of Child & Family Health (OCFH) delivers direct medical services to children entering foster care and ensures that the physical health care provided is comprehensive and appropriate. OCFS offers individualized case consultations and training to ACS staff and foster care agencies on a variety of health-related topics. The office also conducts research and provides clinical expertise in developing health and mental health policies that support best case practice agency wide including Child Welfare Programs, Youth and Family Justice and Early Care and Education.

Within the OCFH, the Pre-Placement Nursing Services Unit is responsible for the day-to-day nursing functions at the Children's Center Pre-Placement program, and ACS' borough office medical units (Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn). Providing 24/7 coverage, the unit will complete physical assessments for all children entering foster care and direct primary care for a comprehensive range of symptoms and illnesses. Under the direction of Director of Nursing, Pre-Placement Staff Nurses will arrange follow-up appointments; referrals where appropriate, and verify that all children have necessary medications and equipment at the time of placement. In addition, the unit will conduct patient education, training to new foster parents of medically fragile children, and collaborate with foster care agencies to obtain Visiting Nurse Services for foster families who care for children with special needs. Reporting to Director of Nursing, Pre-Placement Staff Nurses will be responsible for but not limited to:

* Assess physical and mental health care needs of ACS served foster care children as they enter care and on an on-going basis by providing age- appropriate health services.

* Provides comprehensive physical assessments and correctly identifies the need for immediate or emergent treatment, next day follow-up care or ongoing medical needs.

* Directly administers medications, provides patient education on all medical needs to clients and care givers. Conducts consultations in safe medication administration and management to child care staff and foster parents.

* Consults, refers and collaborates with other disciplines involved in the care of children.

* Provides adequate and appropriate transfer of information when children are transferred to a placement or referred to another health care provide

* As a member of a health care team and the broader professional team, develops/implements and monitors a comprehensive patient care program. Makes regular follow-up reports recommending appropriate modifications in individual service plans as the needs of the patients/clients change. Interprets and reports responses of patients/clients to appropriate members of the health care team.

* Participates in departmental and inter-disciplinary conferences and meetings pertaining to policies and procedures affecting nursing practice.

* Implements treatment protocols, procedures and other orders and instructions from the Director of Nursing and other clinical authorities;

* Conducts data collection and provides recommendations on common medical related trends to develop measures for successful outcomes and initiatives.

* Trains ACS and contracted agency staff on medical education.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

The preferred candidate should possess the following: a minimum of (3) years recent nursing experience in a clinical setting (hospital or ambulatory care) or primary health care, experience with applicable computer-based software (Word, Excel, Access) and specific experience in pediatric and adolescent nursing. Registered nurses with experience in pediatric or adolescent psychiatry or in child welfare are highly preferred. A valid New York State registered Nurse License. Bachelor's Degree of Science in Nursing and MSN preferred.

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