The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is the state agency that focuses solely on policies, programs, and services for people with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or any combination of these. As Georgia’s public safety net, DBHDD operates six field offices and five hospitals throughout the state within three program areas: behavioral health, developmental disabilities and hospital services.

The main office for DBHDD is located in downtown Atlanta.

Job Description

Job Title:  Registered Nurse (Regional Quality Review (RQR)) – Region 4 (Thomasville, GA Area)

Pay Grade: K

Job Summary:

THIS POSITION IS NOT A HOSPITAL POSITION. IT IS A TELEWORK POSITION AND REQUIRES TRAVEL THROUGHOUT THE REGION WHEN NECESSARY ~ DRIVE INTO THE OFFICE 3-4 TIMES PER MONTH FOR MEETINGS.  NOTE:  The Region 4 field office address is 137 Hawthorne Drive Thomasville, GA 31792

HOURS: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm; no weekends, no overtime, state holidays off

Job Description, Responsibilities, Standards, and Qualifications

·       Monitoring the health and safety of individuals transitioning out of state hospitals to community programs. Monitoring will occur in all environments where the individual receives services.

·       Completing the designated audit tools and/or assessments at scheduled times. The tools/assessments are completed through observations, interviews and record reviews aimed at assessing the quality of the environment, health, medical supports and community integration of the individual.

·       Evaluating person centered supports to determine whether they are consistent with best practices, which would lead toward the appropriate/desired person-centered outcomes.

·       Provide technical] assistance/education onsite during audit process.

·       Documenting all visits, assessments and follow-up actions appropriately.

·       Consulting and coordinating with Team Leader and members on findings.

·       Participating in bi-weekly quality review team meetings with Team members, Regional Office and State Office as needed.

·       Conducting follow-up visits for the purpose of providing recommendations, technical assistance, and consultation to remedy any identified issues or support needs not being met.

·       Following DBHDD corrective action protocol based on the cur assessed environment.

·       The Registered Nurse participates as a member of the interdisciplinary intake and evaluation teams of individuals making application to and seeking continuing developmental disability services.

·       Registered Nurse will provide nursing services which include reviewing and completing the level of care of individual support plans, writing assessments, updates, technical assistance, and consultation.

·       Assessments require conducting interviews with consumers, family members, legal guardians, care givers, and primary care physicians as needed.

·       Administration of health risk assessment tools and required for which training is provided.

·       Responsibilities include making clinical recommendations and proposed action plans to the individual support plan team that supports the personal goals of the individual and addresses their medical needs in the community setting.

Job Responsibilities & Performance Standards:

·       Performs comprehensive assessments of consumer’s health care needs based on data collected through history, observation, or psychosocial examination, and analysis of diagnostic data.

·       Completes ongoing follow up of technical assistance for individuals with medical issues of who have transitioned to the community from state institutional hospitalization.

·       Performs Initial and Participant directed HRST assessments of individual’s health care needs based on data collected through history, observation, basic physical and/or psychosocial examination, and analysis of diagnostic data. Completes Level of Care as needed based upon the collected data.

·       As a part of required technical assistance, observes directs individuals care activities by observing medications, observing and recording patient responses and medication side effect (s); makes rounds and recommends interventions/treatments.

·       Consults and coordinates with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate client care plans.

·       Provides customer services to various individuals that we serve, as well as family members, care givers, and support persons.

·       Analyzes problems by evaluating available information and resources; develops effective, viable solutions to problems.

·       Participates in individualized and comprehensive plans of care consistent with assessment, physicians’/clinicians’ treatment plans, individuals’ level of need and functional ability as needed.

·       Provides health education instruction to consumers on various health issues (e.g. treatments, self-care, surgical procedures, etc.) Provide in-service training for staff.

·       Assess individuals, health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records.

·       Advise clients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management.

·       Provides clear and accurate information to consumers, families, providers regarding diagnosis, treatment plan, discharge plan, and/or preventive care according to individualized health needs. Responds appropriately to inquiries.

·       Communicates with agency personnel, service providers, support coordinator and other interested parties to coordinate efforts, resolve operational problems and improve quality of consumer care.

·       Works cooperatively with agency personnel, services providers, support coordinators, and other individuals involved in the care and services provided to the consumer, in order to maximize the appropriateness, benefit and effectiveness of services.

·       Accurately identifies measures, evaluates and resolves deficiencies found in the consumer care process in a timely manner.

·       Other Duties As Assigned.

Qualifications: 

Bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited college or university OR Associate's degree in nursing from an accredited college or university AND current Georgia license as a Registered Professional Nurse AND any related professional work experience.

Preferred Qualifications - External: 

A current, unrestricted Georgia license to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse and TWO years of professional experience in a mental health, developmental disabilities, and/or addictive diseases facility or community-based setting (for example, a DBHDD regional office, community service board, or private, public, state hospital) and one year of professional level experience in a role which included evaluating DD individuals and their services. Experience in total quality management of services provided to individuals. Master’s degree in nursing.  Experience working with developmentally disabled people.  Familiarity with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and common co-occurring health issues

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary & benefits, GA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is part of a statewide initiative called Total Rewards that seeks to attract and retain employees by supplementing their base pay and benefits with programs designed to improve the quality of their work environment and lead to greater job satisfaction and work/life balance. Eligible employees are offered generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. For more information, visit https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/benefits

Employment Requirements
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees, individuals and communities we serve, certain positions within DBHDD may require evaluations, vaccinations, professional licensure and certifications. Licenses must be current and enable providers to practice within the State of Georgia.

The following are a listing of evaluations and vaccinations that may be required for employees, including those not involved with direct care:

• Drug Screening
• TB Evaluation
• Annual Influenza*

*Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

DBHDD is an Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of DBHDD to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

FOR THIS TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT, STATE LAW REQUIRES A NATIONAL AND STATE BACKGROUND CHECK AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT.