Job Description:

Devote your energy and skills to building competency and increasing professional capacity of Oregon's Adult Foster Home Providers!

An exciting opportunity awaits an experienced Nurse Educator in the Long-Term Care field!

We are searching for an Adult Foster Home Nurse Educator to join our highly devoted, professional, and compassionate team. 

In this role, you will utilize proven strategies and tools to assess the competency of new and experienced AFH Providers and staff members while focusing on the quality of service and promoting holistic healthcare. As an AFH Nurse Educator, you will be able to integrate your practical knowledge, evidence-based principles, and medical expertise into educational experiences for both new and experienced AFH Licensees and their staff.

NWSDS is a continuously advancing and forward-thinking agency. We are committed to fostering person-centered and holistic health care approach within all areas of Oregon's long-term care system, ultimately leading to independence and better quality of life.

We are eager and excited to welcome a new team member and invite you to apply today to join an organization that lives out it's mission!

Recruitment #:    419-11-22

Closes:              Open Until Filled

Location:           Salem, OR with local travel

Salary:              Starting at $6,119 with excellent benefits (please see below).

Agency Sponsored: Medical/Dental 100% paid for employee and 90-98% for dependents: generous Paid-time off, Public Employee Retirement (PERS), Employee Assistance Plan, Long Term Disability, great culture.

Employee paid: Deferred Compensation, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, Colonial Life Supplemental Plans, Legal Shield.

Other: Employment qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

General Description

Meets agency mission by serving professional development needs of Adult Foster Home Licensees and Adult Foster Home staff through design and delivery of an educational program that improves Adult Foster Home residents’ service quality and promotes holistic health care. Provides ongoing support for the Adult Foster Home Licensees and Adult Foster Home staff through medical expertise, on-site coaching, training, and technical assistance on best practices that meet and exceed Oregon Administrative Rules.

Essential Functions

1. Integrate practical knowledge, evidence-based principles, and medical expertise into educational experiences for both new and experienced AFH Licensees and AFH staff
2. Create and facilitate specific training to develop and enhance the skills of AFH Licensees
3. Provide on-site coaching and technical assistance to AFH Licensees
4. Perform Adult Foster Home monitoring visits and activities
5. Serve as a technical resource for Adult Protective Service Workers and other staff
6. Facilitate confidence in the NWSDS Adult Foster Home Licensing Program
7. Protect consumers and reduce agency risk
8. Provide excellent service in a professional manner

1.    Integrate practical knowledge, evidence-based principles, and medical expertise into educational experiences for both new and experienced AFH Licensees and AFH staff

• Plan and implement educational activities to support individual professional development and agency goals for professional development of AFH Licensees and AFH staff
• Implement training programs for AFH Licensees and AFH staff to achieve quality resident care and outcome standards
• Utilize proven strategies and tools to assess competence of new AFH staff members, focusing on quality of care, holistic healthcare, and resident safety goals
• Ensure educational programs are tied in with long-term strategic initiatives
• Prepare recommendations to management, identifying quality and efficiency improvements to training
• Serve as a technical resource for Licensors and Managers.

2.    Create and facilitate specific training to develop and enhance the skills of Adult Foster Home Licensees

• Develop and conduct training on chronic diseases and conditions specific to symptoms, change in condition, and best practices to care for consumers with a chronic disease
• Develop and conduct training to increase AFH Licensee knowledge and skills in the administration and documentation of medications, treatments, and therapies
• Develop and conduct medication administration training specific to new and ongoing Licensees (classroom and one-on-one)
• Evaluate and audit Licensee medication administration training program to determine efficiency in reducing medication administration violations and errors

3.    Provide on-site coaching and technical assistance to AFH Licensees

• Collaborate with AFH Licensors to develop a custom training plan for Licensees
• Coach AFH Licensees on resident specific chronic health conditions
• Assist AFH Licensees in developing a person-centered Care Plan that addresses a resident’s nutrition and diet needs as it related to their chronic health conditions
• Provide individual coaching and training on the administration and documentation of medications, treatments, and therapies
• Provide tools and documentary/visual aids to AFH Licensees that help foster quality person centered resident care
• Assist with interpreting Physician Orders and Discharge Orders to ensure residents are receiving the care they require
• Provide technical assistance on improved communication strategies with medical professionals
• Create tools and resources that support AFH Licensees with providing relevant information to a resident’s medical providers as required by Oregon Administrative Rules
• Serve as a technical resource to AFH Licensees and staff regarding medication management and health related care for all residents in the home.

4.    Perform Adult Foster Home monitoring visits and activities

• Conduct on-site monitoring inspections and follow up visits to Adult Foster Homes
• Review the medication administration system  
• Observe and analyze systems in the Adult Foster Home related to resident health care
• Use observations to develop and deliver person-centered coaching and training to AHF Licensees and staff 
• Collaborate with Licensees and AFH staff on continuous quality improvement of health care related systems in the Adult Foster Home
• Assess needs of Licensee and provide resources that can assist in meeting those needs.
• Document in Adult Foster Home Narratives the observations and outcomes of monitoring visits.
• Use ASPEN database to document rule violations observed and technical assistance provided during monitoring visits.
• Analyze, track trends observed, and present findings to the Licensor and Licensing Manager; recommend appropriate corrective action as needed.

5.    Serve as a technical resource for Adult Protective Service Workers and other staff

• Offer consultation for Adult Protective Service Workers on investigations that involve a review of complex medication regimens or medical treatments
• Assist managers and staff with complex-case staffing, problem-solving, and challenging AFH situations.

6.    Facilitate confidence in the Adult Foster Home Licensing Program

• Embrace and exhibit the Agency Mission, Vision and Core Values
• Provide excellent service to the AFH Licensees and staff by meeting their needs, following through, and meeting deadlines
• Interact with the public, consumers, co-workers and others in a patient, respectful and culturally appropriate manner
• Work effectively with a wide variety of individuals
• Maintain the skills and knowledge required to perform duties
• Provide suggestions for improvement

7.    Protect consumers and reduce Agency risk  

• Follow policies, regulations and requirements of project and Agency 
• Provide documentation as set forth by Federal, State, funding regulations, and Agency policy
• Serve as Mandatory Reporter of suspected abuse of vulnerable populations as required by policy and regulations

8.    Provide excellent service in a professional manner

• Apply required knowledge and skills
• Meet quality standards in accuracy and timeliness
• Exhibit good decision making, problem solving and work habits
• Meet quality standards in accuracy, judgment, timeliness and following policy and procedure
• Exhibit good work habits, including organizational skills, regular attendance, working independently, seeking and offering assistance when needed
• Exhibit technology skills related to the work needing to be done, (word processing, spreadsheets, database, internet research, mail, IM, phones, copiers, programs such as CAM, ASPEN, ACTs etc.)
• Regular attendance to meet the demands of this job and provide necessary services
• Exhibit a positive attitude towards consumers, co-workers, managers and others

Secondary Functions

Supports Agency and APS and AFH Licensing Unit by overseeing and working on special projects as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Experience and Skills:

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED (Required)

A qualified applicant will have a minimum of three (3) years of equivalent combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the minimum knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the job. The following is preferred but all qualifications meeting the minimum requirements will be considered:

• A valid Oregon Registered Professional Registered Nurse License (required)
• Three years of nursing experience working with seniors and people with disabilities. 

General Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Speak, read, write and understand English
• Apply evaluation, analytic and writing skills
• Read, interpret and explain policies to others
• Organize and prioritize tasks to meet required time timeframes
• Collaborate and coordinate with others
• Build relationships and network
• Exhibit excellent interpersonal communication and listening skills
• Exhibit good judgment
• Use courtesy and tact
• Follow verbal and written instruction

 Job-Specific Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and experience with Oregon Long Term Care Facilities
• Evaluation, analytical, and writing skills
• Ability to read, interpret and explain technical policy
• Maintain knowledge of Agency programs, and gain advanced knowledge in areas assigned
• Thorough knowledge of related Agency policies, procedures and program tools
• Maintain knowledge of training techniques
• Train, coach, and provide effective correction
• Maintain thorough knowledge of compliance and quality requirements
• Ability to analyze and evaluate data, identify trends, concerns and develop recommendations
• Ability to serve as a technical resource
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and coaching.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Adult Foster Home Nurse Educator typically works in an office environment and performs field visits. The incumbent must be able to:

• Use a computer, telephone, and other office equipment
• Tolerate and be able to work where the noise level is that of a typical office
• Encounter frequent interruptions throughout the workday
• Regularly sit, talk, or hear
• Use repetitive hand motions
• Handle objects and sustain a sense of touch
• Stand, walk, reach, and bend
• Lift up to 25 pounds

This position requires frequent travel throughout the service area and to other offices, including some overnight stays. Considerable amount of monitoring visits and activities are performed on-site and require travel to/from AFH, and spending time in the AFH.

Field work involves travel to consumers in a variety of settings, homes, facilities, etc. of varying levels of cleanliness and repair, using Agency car or personal vehicle, and carrying and using a laptop computer.

Other Requirements

To be successful, candidates must adhere to the following:

• Secure and maintain a valid Oregon driver’s license or have an acceptable alternative means of transportation
• Attend work regularly to meet the demands of this job and to provide necessary services
• Complete and pass a criminal background check
• Comply with the OHA vaccination mandate for COVID-19

Contact with the public in home or office environments may risk exposure to people with contagious diseases or irrational/hostile behavior and contact with domestic animals.             

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Classification: Adult Foster Home Nurse Educator

Position Number:

Salary Range: R27

FLSA Status:

Unit: APS and AFH Licensing Unit

Location: Salem

Reports To: APS and AFH Licensing Manager

Union Status:

Last Revision Date: October 21, 2022

This job description is a general guide for the job to be performed and does not cover everything. Employees may be required to perform other duties, including covering for, and in, other offices. Employees are expected to follow and perform other job-related duties requested by their manager.