Nurse Case Manager

General Statement of Duties

Little Flower Children and Family Services of NY is seeking a full-time Nurse Case Manager to perform professional nursing services for children placed in foster homes in the New York metropolitan area, and on Long Island.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

Under general supervision, an employee in this class is responsible for performing within professional guidelines, in accordance with special orders from doctors and in accordance with established Agency rules and regulations. Assignments are received from a professional superior and work is reviewed through conferences and reports.

Illustrative Examples of Work

Makes accurate recordings of her examination and findings on the body diagram and on the child's chart.

Explains the medical program and health procedures to the foster parents, gives them the outline, and explains the referral procedures.

Discusses health and safety issues according to the child's age.

Gives health history review to the foster parents (as available) and immunization card if available. If unavailable, this procedure is thoroughly discussed when medical information is received at the time of another home visit; distributes and reviews printed material regarding any disease or health problems the child has.

Gives the foster parents phone numbers she may need.

Reviews appropriate care and diet and infant stimulation as needed; makes foster parent aware of her availability; answers any questions foster parents have.

Reinforces the need to have prescribed medications filled at the local drug store right away and started as prescribed; informs the foster parent to always pour medications in a well-lighted area. Informs the foster parent that Little Flower does not pay for over-the-counter drugs. Discusses drug history and withdrawal as needed.

Sends "Request for Information" to all known health care providers and to hospital of birth for birth records.

Obtains immunization records from social worker. If not obtainable, sends "Release of Information" to school or physician to which child was known. Requests medical records from other health facilities or agencies.

Coordinates all medical appointments for the child. The nurse is the liaison person for foster parent and all health care professionals. Schedules and follows up on all referrals as soon as possible.

Keeps social worker informed of special appointments, health needs and developmental milestones.

Provides counseling and reassurance to the foster parents regarding the health problems of the child.

Counsels foster parents on sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis, AIDS, learning disabilities, developmental delays, drug addiction, alcohol abuse, withdrawal, and protective health measures. Offers printed material on the subjects.

Schedules evaluations for early intervention programs. Provides medical information to the facility. Attends vital screening evaluations and team conferences.

Writes up accident reports on any injury, emergency room visit, or hospital admission on any child in her caseload and reports it to the Confidential Investigation Unit within 48 hours. Notifies the social worker.

Encourages good health practices and preventive health care by discussion with foster parents and child.

Provides the child with resources that should ensure continued good lifetime health practices needed for independent living. Provides information on independent living skills periodically to the child.

Keeps accurate health records on the children in her caseload; records on-going health services and developmental milestones as they occur. Provides foster parents with developmental milestone guidelines to assist them with goals.

Shares the necessary medical information needed to provide and maintain the health of the foster child to other health facilities, agencies, foster parents, adoptive parents, physicians, and natural parents.

Provides family planning counseling to everyone 12 years of age and older on a yearly basis and periodically as needed.

Provides counseling on health care, nutrition, and environmental safety plus health teaching to both foster parents and child.

Provides detailed reports for exceptional rate children. This includes defining health problem, treatment of the problem and explaining in detail the daily extra care.

Schedules appointments for her children at the Well Child Clinic by phone. A clinic packet (which includes CHAP form, hearing screening, laboratory requisition, clinic work sheet, and child history form) must be completed.

Responsible for a body check and body diagram form being completed when the child is brought into Little Flower by a foster mother prior to a transfer to a new foster home.

Sends non-compliance forms when compliance mandates are not met.

Approves all bills. Calls the pharmacy when a drug is not listed on the bill. Requests a medical report with each bill received without a report. Assures that copies of lab work are forwarded to the family physician.

The nurse must call in when in the field for a full day. Works up home visits prior to field work.

Participates in community health and education programs to update knowledge of nursing procedures, techniques, health and disease, trends and issues.

Attends Well-Child Clinics. Responsible for screening the children before being seen by the physician. Attends to her own children when being examined by the physician.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Good knowledge of nursing principles and techniques and their relation to medical practice.

Good knowledge of medical procedures, sanitation, and personal hygience.

Skill in the application of professional nursing techniques and practices.

Ability to follow oral and written instructions of a technical and professional nature in exact detail and to administer therapeutic treatments prescribed by physicians.

Ability to establish effective working relationships with foster parents, school and community officials, and the medical community in a manner which will provide a proper environment for health care for the Agency's foster children.

Ability to instruct foster parents on the care of children.

Ability to administer treatment to children while dealing with them in a sympathetic and tactful manner.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited school of nursing and possession of a currently valid Registered Nurse License issued by New York State