Health Care Specialist

About this role

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About the Position

Health Care Specialists provide medical systems oversight and training of direct care staff in such systems in residential group homes, under the direction and supervision of Registered Nurse (RN). Participates in team meetings, including program-specific meetings and provides medically related in-service to residential program staff. Communicates relevant medical and treatment information to program staff as directed by RN and oversees medication inventory system. Performs direct care (DSP) responsibilities as needed.

YAI's Mission

Ready to join our 4,000+ employees in a career at YAI?   Working at YAI means effecting real change in people's lives. It means going home at the end of the day knowing you have helped someone accomplish a goal. If you want a career supporting others, creatively finding solutions to life's challenges, and building a more inclusive community, YAI is the place for you!  

Location • Brooklyn - 2645 Linden Blvd

Schedule (Full time) • Monday through Friday; 7am - 3pm

Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities All Health Care Specialists perform the following tasks: • Performs all duties of a Direct Support Professional (DSP 1 – 3) as indicated in job descriptions, in addition to HCS duties on a regular basis and/or as requested to ensure the overall supervision, protection and care of individuals in program, assisting in maximizing their strengths, interests and abilities while upholding their personal rights and facilitating activities that provide social capital and connections to the community.

• Provides guidance to program staff, setting the tone and ensuring that the standards of care are followed.

• Maintains responsibility for ongoing oversight of the maintenance within medical systems including Digital Agency (DA), ensuring that all anecdotal and other paperwork is properly completed, filed and kept up to date and reflected in system(s) with appropriate details.

• Stays up to date with current medical issues, diagnoses, needs and recommendations based on Plans of Nursing Service (PONS) for the people we support at assigned program under the supervision of the nurse.

• Maintains knowledge of level of supervision each person we support requires while sleeping, eating, fall precautions and performance of ADLs and ensures that this level of supervision is provided to protect their health and safety.

• Ensures that all staff have adequate knowledge of medical needs of the people we support and proactively communicates new diagnoses and treatments to the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT), as directed by the nurse.

• Trains new staff in medical needs as directed by nurse, including medical systems in DA.

• Serves as liaison between the residence and medical providers, services and families as needed.

• Promotes the integration of health services by ensuring that diets are followed, reinforcers are appropriate, and that all staff monitor medical issues and follow up on doctor’s recommendations.

• Conducts timely reviews of anecdotals and presents questions to team as needed to ensure complete and accurate documentation of medical information.

• Provides efficient and professional communications regarding medical information via the staff logbook, emails and any in-house communications.

• Ensures proper scheduling of medical appointments and that follow-up appointments are scheduled and attended in a timely manner.

• Oversees the medication inventory system, the medication cabinet checks and OTC inventory, performing all required checks and inventories within applicable timeframes.

• Mentors new direct support staff currently enrolled in the AMAP course and assists nurse during course, as needed.

• Conducts AM medical meetings and participates in team meetings providing updates regarding appointments, follow-ups and medical conditions and documenting relevant information.

• Performs all other duties, as assigned.

Experienced Health Care Specialists may be selected for assignment reporting into the Nursing Department, under day-to-day supervision of Program Supervisor and nurse supervisor performing the following tasks, in addition to the above: • Provides support and coverage by performing HCS tasks for multiple programs across assigned region, with assignments of varying length, frequency and schedule as determined by caseload needs and as directed by regional Director of Nursing/Supervisor.

• Integrates into assigned program teams, demonstrating flexibility in accommodating the needs of each specific program and provides training on medical system to new staff, as needed.

• Obtains and effectively communicates clinical information to interdisciplinary teams and families as directed by the nurse and ensures tracking and completion of follow-ups needed for the people we support (e.g. medical appointments) across multiple programs.

Minimum Qualification Requirements including education, experience, licensure/certification, etc. and essential physical capabilities (e.g. lifting, assisting lifting, standing, etc.)

All Health Care Specialists must meet the following minimum requirements: • At least two (2) years of direct support professional experience in a YAI program, including at least one (1) year on the morning shift performing medical responsibilities; and

• Must hold current YAI-issued Approved Medication Administration Personnel (AMAP) certification for at least one (1) year in good standing (in accordance with nursing point system) and maintain for duration of assignment; and

• Must hold and maintain Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention – Revised (SCIP-R) and CPR (issued by American Red Cross or American Heart Association); and

• Must hold or obtain and maintain additional certifications as required by program assignment and persons supported (for example: Choking – Return Demonstration , Diabetes Care, Tub

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