Evergreen is an equal opportunity employer.  We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or any other legally protected status.  

Our mission is to serve, provide for, and champion individuals with disabilities. Evergreen Life Services (ELS) is a charitable, non-profit organization that provides a full range of professional services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in the 1950s, we are proud to serve more than 1,100 individuals with disabilities in 8 states today. Working at Evergreen Life Services isn’t just a job; it’s a rewarding career.  Whether you provide direct care in our adult day care or in a group home, or you serve in a support or corporate office role, you will be an important part of the Evergreen team. If you are looking for a place where you can make a difference, at Evergreen Life Services, you will change lives. Every employee is a valuable part of the team because, at Evergreen, everyone matters.  

 

JOB SUMMARY
Responsible for maintaining a healthy, safe, and therapeutic environment for individuals served and following through on their individual plans of care.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
● Contribute to and actively participate in the planning and accomplishment of daily projects.
● Update the appropriate supervisor and other staff regarding health-related problems of the individual served; discuss the reason for treatments, medications, etc. with the Registered Nurse or Executive Director.
● Assist in educating all staff so they may better understand the conditions of the individuals served.
● Participate in the education of self and other staff members.
● Assess the individual served's health needs and situations that have the potential to cause problematic health issues. Record findings on all appropriate nurse notes each shift.
● Assist with medical QA checks upon request.
● Contribute health-related input to the ISP (Individual Support Plan) as indicated and upon request.
● Attend ISP and Circle of Support (COS) meetings as requested.
● Assist in the compilation of monthly summaries on individuals served.
● Monitor and provide reports of seizures to the Registered Nurse or Executive Director.
● Assist in seizure data gathering as applicable.
● Serve as the Liaison nurse for the individual served, assisting the Registered Nurse or Executive Director in making nursing decisions and judgments.
● Demonstrate knowledge of and utilize infection control procedures.
● Communicate with physicians as needed regarding health-related issues.
● Accompany individuals served to physician visits; obtain and provide needed information; route orders back to the Registered Nurse or Executive Director immediately after all visits.
● Ensure the top of a Physician Consultation Form is completed and taken to all appointments.
● Review and maintain all incoming physician orders in the individual’s chart. Communicate any/all new orders to the oncoming shift nurse, i.e., give a shift-to-shift report to the oncoming nurse.
● Administer all medications according to best practice guidelines, adhering to DIDS protocols for medication administration.
● Provide tube feeding treatments and other skilled nursing treatments such as wound care,
respiratory treatments, etc. for the individual served. Follow MAR and the physician's orders.
● Review the quality and quantity of health-related documentation upon arrival at the work site, assuring that the previous shift nurse has documented properly and alerting the Registered Nurse or Executive Director if there are deficiencies in any nurse’s documentation.
● Generate and route incident reports to Evergreen management as needed.
● Compile medication error reports and route to the Registered Nurse or Executive Director no later than the next day following the incident.
● File health-related documents in the individuals served's health records in the home.
● Route all expired and discontinued medications to the RN or Executive Director for disposal.
● Assist with reviewing and double-checking the MARS at the beginning of the month, checking for corrections, placing reasons for meds, times, and other pertinent information on the MAR, etc.
● Attend appropriate in-services and staff meetings as directed.
● Become familiar with and comply with state and federal regulations as they pertain to the job position and work environment. Cooperate with state survey teams and other state officials as requested and as applicable.
● Report concerns of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment immediately and according to protocol.
● Obtain and record monthly weights and daily vital signs if indicated.
● Assist in the gathering of data for the annual risk assessment.
● Maintain all medical information in the file in an organized manner.
● Reorder all creams, topical, and powders from the pharmacist as needed. (These are not routinely sent by the pharmacy; you must call them and let them know when you are running low.
● Ensure the health and welfare of the individuals served.
● Assist individuals served with medication and treatment plans as needed.
● Complete all required documentation in accordance with applicable state agency(ies) and Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc. policies and procedures.
● Provide individuals served transportation in the company or personal vehicle as requested.

CORE COMPETENCIES
● Acting Strategically: Identifies key issues and relationships relevant to achieving goals, andcommits to a course of action to accomplish goals based on known and unknown variables. Develops priorities with the right balance of short and long-term considerations.
● Championing Customer Needs: provides timely and professional service to both internal and external customers, is responsive to customer needs and requests, is always courteous to the customer, and considers them when making decisions.
● Communicating Effectively: Share information. Listens and involves others. Conveys ideas in a manner that engages others and helps them understand and retain the message.
● Delivering High-Quality Work: Makes sure responsibilities central to the role meet all requirements and expectations. Finishes tasks promptly and critically reviews work for accuracy and quality. Consider the impact of work on others.
● Prioritizing and Organizing Work: Allocates time and attention based on what is most important to achieve key goals and objectives. Effectively organizes and balances tasks and priorities to keep multiple projects on track.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE/JOB KNOWLEDGE
● Must be a graduate of an approved Licensed Practical Nursing Program.
● Minimum of one (1) year clinically relevant experience required. Experience working with elderly or intellectually disabled individuals.
● Must have knowledge of and technical skills in medical nursing procedures, first aid, and basic principles of nursing.
● Must know or learn about intellectual and developmental disabilities, seizure disorders, autism, and other associated diagnoses in the field of intellectual disabilities and geriatrics.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
● Frequent travel
● Constantly moves about to coordinate work.
● Regularly assist consumers physically by lifting and positioning them as appropriate.
● Regularly moves and positions objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
● Occasionally exposed to viruses and infectious conditions.
● Constantly alert and observant during working hours.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities or medical conditions to perform the essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
● Will not supervise.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
● Ability to meet the public in a manner that reflects creditably upon the organization, and must have the ability to deal with individuals served and staff in a manner that is conducive to harmony and their best efforts.
● Must be adaptable and can make decisions.
● May be required to attend seminars or job-related training courses.
● Must have understanding, patience, and tact in dealing with individuals served, their families or advocates, and other agencies involved in providing support for individuals served.
● Must have the ability to maintain good working relationships with Evergreen staff and with contacts from other agencies or entities.
● Must be able to prioritize work tasks.
● Must be able to work without close personal supervision.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES
● Working knowledge of Microsoft Windows and Office applications.
● Working knowledge of Google Workspace.
● Aptitude to learn other software programs as required for this position.

EMPLOYMENT VARIABLES
● Must have a good driving record that meets the minimum requirements for Evergreen and reliable transportation.
● Must pass a drug screen and criminal background check.
● Must be available to work a flexible schedule for monitoring/training purposes.
● May be required to assist individuals with personal needs and attend medical appointments.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT
● May be required to work in a variety of settings and environments, both indoors and outdoors.