Senior Registered Nurse (6452)

DescriptionDepartment: Residential Services
Classification: Exempt
Reports To: Director of Clinical and Nursing Services
Supervises: Assigned Nursing Staff

Position Summary

The Senior Registered Nurse provides clinical leadership, quality assurance, case management, healthcare consultation, and staff training in support of individuals receiving residential services at Charles River Center (CRC). This position supervises assigned nursing staff, leads healthcare quality initiatives, ensures compliance with DDS, DPH, MAP, and agency requirements, and promotes high-quality, person-centered healthcare services.

This role requires occasional schedule flexibility based on the needs of the individuals supported and participation in the nursing on-call rotation.

Essential Functions

Clinical Leadership & Quality Assurance

Lead healthcare quality assurance initiatives across Residential Services.
Develop, interpret, and implement nursing policies and procedures.
Ensure healthcare policies comply with DDS, DPH, MAP, state, federal, and agency requirements.
Conduct routine audits of healthcare documentation and medical record systems.
Develop audit tools and monitor corrective action plans.
Analyze compliance data, identify trends, and recommend process improvements.
Lead Healthcare Oversight Committee meetings and follow up on recommendations.
Promote continuous quality improvement to improve health outcomes.

Clinical Consultation & Case Management

Serve as a clinical resource for program leadership, staff, individuals, families, and healthcare providers.
Coordinate healthcare services for individuals with complex or acute medical needs.
Develop individualized healthcare plans in collaboration with physicians and other providers.
Monitor implementation of healthcare plans by residential leadership.
Conduct nursing assessments and provide treatment as needed.
Assess individuals' ability to self-administer medications.
Attend medical appointments, hospital meetings, and interdisciplinary case conferences when appropriate.
Participate in discharge planning for assigned individuals and complex residential transitions.
Assist with coordinating healthcare providers and specialty services.
Maintain knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, and third-party insurance requirements.

Nursing Leadership

Supervise assigned nursing staff.
Provide coaching, guidance, and clinical support.
Participate in the nursing on-call rotation.
Provide telephone consultation to Nursing On-Call staff as needed.
Collaborate with DDS, DPH, healthcare providers, and interdisciplinary teams.
Assist with procurement and safe storage of medical equipment and healthcare supplies.
Provide emergency first aid and accompany individuals to emergency medical treatment when necessary.

Core Competencies

Successful candidates demonstrate:

Communication

Communicates clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
Builds positive relationships with staff, individuals served, families, and healthcare providers.

Leadership

Leads by example.
Coaches and mentors nursing staff.
Supports agency goals and promotes accountability.

Collaboration

Works effectively with interdisciplinary teams.
Builds strong working relationships across departments.

Organization

Prioritizes multiple responsibilities effectively.
Manages competing deadlines.
Adapts to changing priorities.

Critical Thinking

Demonstrates sound clinical judgment.
Identifies problems and develops practical solutions.
Uses data to drive quality improvement.

Dependability

Demonstrates reliability, professionalism, and accountability.
Completes work accurately and on time.

QualificationsEducation

Bachelor's degree in Nursing required.
Ability to become a certified Medication Administration Program (MAP) instructor within six months of hire.

Licensure

Current Massachusetts Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing.

Experience

Minimum of two years of experience as a Registered Nurse in a healthcare or school setting.
Preferred experience includes:

Intellectual and developmental disabilities
Residential or long-term care
DDS, DPH, and MAP regulations

Additional Requirements

Successful completion of all required state and agency training.
Knowledge of Normalization and Community Inclusion principles.
Valid Massachusetts driver's license.
Reliable transportation.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to successfully complete required CORI, DDS, DPPC, and other background screenings.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

The position regularly requires the ability to:

Sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.
Bend, kneel, crouch, and reach.
Use hands and fingers to perform nursing tasks.
Lift up to 30 pounds from floor to waist.
Lift 10–15 pounds from waist to overhead.
Assist in moving individuals requiring up to 100 pounds of force, with assistance whenever available.
Maintain the stamina necessary to perform the physical demands of residential nursing.

Language & Reasoning Requirements

The successful candidate must be able to:

Read and interpret healthcare policies, procedures, safety rules, and technical documents.
Prepare professional reports and correspondence.
Communicate effectively with individuals receiving services, families, healthcare providers, and employees.
Present information clearly to individuals and groups.
Exercise sound clinical judgment and carry out detailed written and verbal instructions.