Registered Nurse - Trainer Position Summary:

The Registered Nurse - Trainer at Aspire provides health oversight and guidance for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in community homes and apartments. This is accomplished through nursing assessment, medication monitoring and management, team member education/training, and delegation of medication administration to Direct Support Persons.

Nursing Assessment

• Complete timely annual and change of condition Nursing Assessments and Self-Administration of Medication Assessments for people using Aspire’s Living services.
• Review and contribute timely to assigned Health Risk Screening Tool assessments.
• Conduct semi-annual Tardive Dyskinesia screenings for applicable persons.

Medication Management, Monitoring, Training and Administration

• Provide initial, annual, retraining, condition/medication change related, and as needed medication administration competency-based training assessments/observations for required team members.
• Authorize trained DSPs to administer medication as delegated.
• Monitor delegated medication administration and documentation, providing direction/education and collaboration with DSP management for coaching as needed.
• Respond to medication administration/management questions and provide guidance as needed.
• Trains Programs team on healthcare and medical topics and components of their position.
• Serve as the primary liaison with pharmacies and ensure prescribed medications are timely and accurately distributed. Ensure all updated orders are reflected in EMAR system.
• Collaborates with Physicians, Consultants, Pharmacies, Support Team and Health Advocates.
• Monitor all self-administration of medication processes.
• Administer medications as needed.

Quality and Compliance

• Consult, provide correction action recommendations, and document response to medication error events timely.
• Conduct monthly reviews of medication records, new or changed medication orders, inventory of controlled substances during monthly medication check in.
• Conduct and document quarterly reviews of medication orders, medication labels, and medication administration records (QuickMAR, Therap, HRST, medical/ nursing documentation)
• Serve as a content expert and provide team training as assigned on non-skilled or delegable nursing services/supports.
• Ensures all RN Trainer services and records comply with Illinois Department of Human Services Rule 116 and related state/federal rules and regulations.
• Make recommendation and assist with necessary changes in development and delivery of new and/or existing policies, procedures, services, and programs to optimize quality assurance and reduce deficits related to RN Trainer duties, and maintain the integrity of related accreditation, licensure, and funding guidelines/contracts.
• Provide consultation/ knowledge with Agency committees as needed or requested (Intake, Safety, Psychiatric, Behavior Enrichment, Incident Review, etc.)
• Assists with regulatory reviews.
• Complies with quality and compliance initiatives and protocols.

Reporting to this Position: N/A

 Registered Nurse Trainer required Education & Experience:

• Associate Degree in Nursing
• 1 year of clinical experience within the past 5 years working directly with people who have intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Registered Nurse Trainer Additional Licensing/Certifications:

• IL Registered Nurse License Required
• Approved or ability to become an approved Illinois Department of Human Services Nurse – Trainer
• Valid Driver’s License with good driving record.

Registered Nurse Trainer Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

• Effective oral and written communication skills; ability to write reports.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from families, employees, and the general public.
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with participants, employees at all levels, families, and the general public.
• Ability to influence others through collaboration.
• Excellent computer skills including MS Office – Word, Excel (including formulas, graphs, and pivot tables), Power Point and Outlook
• Ability to design multi-modal learning curriculum for a diversified audience
• Ability to travel to all Aspire locations
• Ability to flex hours according to Agency needs and maintain on call status

Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Abilities of a Registered Nurse Trainer:

• Bachelor’s Degree in nursing (BSN) or advanced degree
• Experience with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities

Registered Nurse Trainer Leadership Competencies:

• Achieves Results: Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Builds Effective Teams: Building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
• Cultivates Innovation: Creating new & better ways for the organization to be successful.
• Makes Quality Decisions: Making good & timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Tackles the Tough Issues: Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.

Voted as one of the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to work for in Chicago! We know that Together, We’re Better! Aspire was founded in 1960 and is recognized as a leader in providing bold, pioneering, and uncompromising services to adults with developmental disabilities, their families and the community. In 2019, we joined forces with NorthPointe Resources to be one of the most recognized and respected disability service providers across the Chicago metropolitan area, Lake County (Illinois), and southeastern Wisconsin areas.

Part-Time Benefits (regularly scheduled to work at least 37 1/2 hours per week)

• Transit Benefit Program
• Paid Parental Leave
• Benefit Time (PTO, Sick, Paid Leave for All)
• 13 Holidays
• 403(B) Retirement Savings Plan with matching contribution
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Team Member Perks Program

Aspire is an equal employment opportunity employer. We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans, individuals with disabilities, seniors, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Let us know if you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process. In your application, we invite you to select which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs).

Aspire is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities so that an applicant may complete the essential functions of a position. The essential functions of positions are outlined in a position’s job description. To request an accommodation or if you have a question regarding what the essential functions of a position are please contact the People Team at 708.632.5502.