Nurse

Position Summary

The Nurse Manager provides clinical nursing leadership for Every Child's Hope's Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP), ensuring the delivery of safe, trauma-informed, medically appropriate care to youth residing in the program. The Nurse Manager is responsible for overseeing nursing services, medication management, health care coordination, regulatory compliance, staff education, and quality improvement activities in accordance with Missouri licensing regulations, Medicaid requirements, QRTP standards, and Council on Accreditation (COA) standards.

This position serves as the clinical nursing resource for residential staff, provides medication administration training and competency validation for all new direct care staff, and participates in on-call to provide nursing consultation during evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Clinical Nursing Leadership

Provide clinical oversight of all nursing services within the QRTP.

Ensure nursing practices meet professional standards, state regulations, COA standards, and organizational policies.

Promote a trauma-informed, youth-centered approach to healthcare delivery.

Monitor the overall health status of youth and ensure appropriate interventions are implemented.

Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and provide nursing recommendations.

Collaborate with physicians, psychiatrists, therapists, case managers, pharmacies, hospitals, and community medical providers.

Medication Management

Oversee all medication management processes within the QRTP.

Ensure medications are ordered, received, stored, administered, documented, and disposed of according to state and federal regulations.

Review Medication Administration Records (MARs) for accuracy and compliance.

Conduct routine medication audits and corrective action when necessary.

Investigate medication errors and implement quality improvement measures.

Maintain controlled substance documentation and inventory.

Ensure emergency medications and medical supplies remain current and appropriately stocked.

Staff Training and Competency

Develop and conduct medication administration training for all newly hired direct care staff prior to independent medication administration.

Validate competency through skills demonstration, observation, written testing, and return demonstration.

Conduct annual medication administration refresher training and competency assessments.

Provide education regarding:

o Safe medication administration

o Medication documentation

o Side effects and adverse reactions

o Infection prevention

o Universal precautions

o First aid and emergency response

o Medical emergencies

o Communicable diseases

o Health-related policies and procedures

Serve as a clinical resource and mentor for residential staff.

Health Care Coordination

Ensure all required medical, dental, vision, psychiatric, and specialty appointments are scheduled and completed.

Review medical recommendations and ensure follow-up care is completed.

Coordinate communication between healthcare providers and residential treatment staff.

Review hospital discharge instructions and implement required nursing follow-up.

Monitor chronic medical conditions and coordinate ongoing treatment plans.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

Monitor compliance with:

o Missouri Department of Social Services regulations

o Children's Division requirements

o Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) requirements

o Council on Accreditation (COA) standards

o HIPAA

o OSHA

o Medication management regulations

Participate in internal audits and accreditation readiness activities.

Assist with policy development and implementation.

Maintain required nursing documentation and clinical records.

Prepare reports related to medication management, health services, incidents, and quality improvement.

On-Call Nursing Support

Provide scheduled evening, weekend, and holiday on-call nursing consultation by telephone.

Respond promptly to calls regarding:

o Medication questions

o Medical concerns

o Illness or injury

o Medication errors

o Emergency medical situations

o Guidance regarding whether additional medical evaluation is warranted

Document on-call consultations according to agency procedures.

Collaborate with leadership regarding significant medical incidents.

Salary level - $65 000 annually.

#INDHP

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

Minimum LPN but RN preferred.

Experience

Minimum three (3) years of nursing experience.

At least one (1) year of experience working with children, adolescents, behavioral health, residential treatment, psychiatric care, or child welfare preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of pediatric and adolescent health care.

Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles.

Strong understanding of psychotropic medications and medication administration.

Knowledge of QRTP regulations and best practices.

Knowledge of COA accreditation standards.

Excellent clinical judgment and decision-making skills.

Ability to teach and evaluate staff competencies.

Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Proficiency with electronic health records and Microsoft Office applications.

Physical Requirements

Ability to respond to medical emergencies.

Ability to walk throughout residential facilities.

Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.

Ability to perform CPR and emergency response duties.

Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Required Certifications

Current Missouri RN License.

First Aid certification (or ability to obtain upon hire).

Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.

Core Competencies

Trauma-Informed Care

Youth and Family Engagement

Clinical Leadership

Medication Safety

Regulatory Compliance

Staff Development

Critical Thinking

Ethical Practice

Communication

Collaboration

Quality Improvement

Cultural Humility

Performance Expectations

Success in this role will be measured by:

100% compliance with medication administration training for all new hires prior to independent medication administration.

Successful completion of medication competency validations annually.

Medication error rates maintained within agency quality benchmarks.

Timely completion of health assessments, appointments, and follow-up care.

Compliance with Missouri licensing, QRTP, COA, and agency standards.

Positive audit and accreditation outcomes.

Timely response to on-call nursing consultations.

Effective collaboration with clinical and residential teams to support youth health and safety.