Are you ready to make a difference in your community? Do YOU want to work on a team that is committed to empowering individuals? At Helen Keller Services, our employees work in an environment that is more than just a workplace, it’s a community.

Since 1967, Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are DeafBlind or have a combined hearing and vision loss. HKNC is dedicated to working with each person to achieve their desired goals towards independence, employment, and quality of life, based on their talents, preferences and aspirations. We currently have an exciting full time career opportunity available to join the HKNC team as a Director of Medical Services. Responsible for leading the medical team with ensuring the quality of medical services are person-centered and empowering for the individual. The Director supports participants from the intake process and throughout their training and is a resource for staff in all the programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure the medical information for incoming consumers is received and reviewed in accordance with the DOH requirements.

• Provide routine physical examinations for consumers who are in program over one year.

• Monitor and maintain consumer’s medical needs on a daily basis and coordinate their care when they are hospitalized.

• Provide and order medical care to those consumers who are in need and refer those to physicians in the community as the nurse practitioner deems necessary.

• Order and dispense prescription and non-prescription medications the consumers who are currently taking medications and prescribe new medications as necessary.

• Order laboratory tests and x-rays as necessary.

• Consult with the consumer’s own primary care physicians in their home state to share updated medical issues or concerns.

• Provide medical clearance to consumers to participate in physical activities.

• Share dietary information for each consumer with the dietary staff, case manager, residence staff, medical staff and independent living staff.

• Review consumers’ current medications and provide safe PRN over the counter medication list for residence nurses to follow.

• Provide individual classes on medication administration to consumers and facilitate group classes on nutrition as well as PLG’s (Peer Learning Groups) on relevant medical topics.

• Interface with the DOH medical audit team.

  MEDICAL SUPERVISION

• Responsible for setting up medical and interpreting assistance for HKNC’s consulting ENT physician and ophthalmologist with their respective examinations, treatments, procedure, and carry out appropriate recommendations.

• Order and maintain supplies, equipment, and medications for two medical offices. Responsible for narcotic drugs according to the New York State Bureau of Narcotics.

• Provide medical service to the consumers. This includes routine screening, symptomatic medical care, dispensing and prescribing medications, first aid, diagnostic procedures, diet supervision and obtaining health history and physical examination, complete systems review and Department of Social Services OCFS Evaluation.

• Coordinate and report on out of Center medical consultations required for consumers. Coordinate an annual flu immunization program for consumers and staff

• Establishes response plans for outbreaks of illnesses on-campus.

• Provide the Health Universal Precautions and Infection Control Program on an as needed basis (at least annually) for staff and consumers and during the new staff orientation. Provide informational forums for consumers.

• Expand knowledge of medical and administrative issues through meetings and seminars. Attend meetings, present at seminars and orient new staff

• Maintain medical records.

• Acts as a consultant/coordinator for gym program.

• Prepare and distribute requests for medical appointments in the community. Update monthly medication, diet and gym activity participation sheets

• Maintain daily medications sheet for all consumers who are not self- medicating. Prepare and maintain narcotic log.

• Identify those students in need of an appointment with the consulting ENT physician or Ophthalmologist.

• Interview new consumers and complete charts according to DSS regulations. Initiate and complete accident or occurrence reports for the DOH.

  MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION

• Participate in the interviewing of all nursing applicants and make recommendations as to their meeting requirements for employment at the Center. Evaluate all nursing personnel, at least once yearly, completing a Work Performance Rating Report, recommending employment status.

• Prepare statistical department reports on an annual basis.

• Submit weekly/bi-weekly/monthly time sheet to Accounting Department for nurses, physical therapist, consulting ENT physician and Ophthalmologist.

• Arrange for nursing coverage when a HKNC nurse uses vacation, personal or sick time. Provides coverage for the RN at Destiny Home when needed.

• Meet every 2-weeks with nursing staff either individually or in a COP. Prepare memorandums to share new information with other departments.

• Accompanies consumers on medical appointments when needed. To accomplish this, the individual may be required to use a personal vehicle on occasion.

  SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct Reports include: All Nursing and Medical Services staff.

• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include: interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Provides supervision to the RN’s and LPN’s to ensure departmental policies and procedures are followed and to support their professional development.

• Accountable for the cost-effective use of HKNC resources – financial resources within his/her direct reporting lines and HKNC property under his/her span of control.

  EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

  Master’s Degree in Nursing and Nurse Practitioner from an approved school of professional nursing. Must have active and current N.Y.S. license and registration as a Nurse Practitioner.

  Must have prescription privileges with current DEA license and registration.

  Methods of communication used by persons who are DeafBlind at a conversational level must be developed within one year. Knowledge of deaf and deaf-blind culture required.

  Knowledge of MS Office including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook required. Strong report writing skills required.

  CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

  Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nurse License in NYC. CPR, AED and DEA Certifications.

  At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees. We offer generous paid time off and comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance

• 4 weeks vacation

• 12 paid sick days

• 2 paid personal days

• Paid Holidays Off

• Life Insurance

• Short/Long Term Disability

• 403b Program w/Employer Match

• Employee Assistance Program

• Career Advancement opportunities