Director Medical Services

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 the Director of Medical Services.

The Director of Medical Services leads the medical team with ensuring the quality of medical services are person-centered and empowering for the individual. The Director supports participants through the intake process, when they arrive at HKNC and for their transition home. This is an in-person position based out of our training building in Sands Point, NY.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Responsibilities HEALTH MAINTENANCE

• 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 to 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 using the home doctor's OCFS 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.
• Coordinate or 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.

INTAKE

• Review medical data on consumers referred to the Center to determine medical eligibility.
• Communicate the health status and any further testing required of those consumers in the intake process with the Admissions Coordinator.
• Participate in the weekly admissions and supervisor's meetings.

MEDICAL SUPERVISION

• Approve the ordering of 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.
• Prepare and distribute requests for medical appointments as needed, in the community. Update monthly medication, diet and gym activity participation sheets. Facilitates setting up a consultant for the gym program as needed.
• Maintain daily medications sheet for all consumers who are not self- medicating. Prepare and maintain narcotic log.
• 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.
• 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 either individually or in a COP with nursing staff in-person, via phone or virtually. 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.
• Performs related duties, when necessary, at the discretion of the Administration. Performs duties and responsibilities as assigned by the director of direct service.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Reports include all Nursing and Medical Services staff.

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 NYS.
• CPR, AED and DEA Certifications

Salary: $130-140k Annually.

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:

• 4 weeks paid vacation anually
• 12 says paid Sick Time annually
• 2 Personal Days
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability/ Life Insurance
• Voluntary Ancillary Benefits
• 403b Program with Employer Match
• Tuition Assistance
• Career Advancement Opportunities