Company Overview
Empower, formerly known as Niagara Cerebral Palsy, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as serving the broader community. With a commitment to enhancing quality of life and fostering independence, Empower operates with a mission to deliver compassionate and comprehensive services.
This position would be for 3 different sites and the expectation would be to help track, maintain and assist with medical appointments/schedules for individuals we serve in our group homes. The locations are in Niagara Falls and Lewiston NY.
I. POSITION SUMMARY
Under the direct supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN) and/or Nurse Supervisor, assists in coordinating healthcare services for assigned individuals and maintaining accurate health-related documentation in accordance with agency policies, the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) regulations, HIPAA requirements, and accepted standards of practice.
The Medical Liaison serves as an extension of the Nursing Department by coordinating medical appointments, facilitating communication among healthcare providers and interdisciplinary team members, assisting with the implementation of individualized healthcare plans, and supporting continuity of care.
The Medical Liaison functions in a non-clinical support role under the direction of the Registered Nurse and does not perform duties requiring independent nursing judgment or clinical decision-making.
II. POSITION DUTIES
Healthcare Coordination
- Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) and collaborates with Registered Nurses, Residential Managers, Direct Support Professionals, physicians, pharmacies, hospitals, laboratories, and other healthcare providers to coordinate healthcare services for assigned individuals.
- Coordinates, schedules, confirms, reschedules, and tracks primary care, specialty, dental, behavioral health, diagnostic testing, laboratory services, annual examinations, and follow-up appointments to ensure timely completion of healthcare recommendations.
- Coordinates transportation for medical appointments and communicates appointment schedules, preparation instructions, fasting requirements, pre-sedation instructions, and other pertinent information to Residential Services.
- Prepares appointment packets and medical documentation required for healthcare visits, including current Medication Administration Records (MARs), physician orders, referrals, laboratory results, current weight (when applicable), and other pertinent clinical information requested by the Registered Nurse or healthcare provider.
- When assigned, accompanies individuals to medical appointments to facilitate communication between healthcare providers and the interdisciplinary team. Obtains visit summaries, physician orders, prescriptions, referrals, laboratory requests, and follow-up appointments and submits all documentation to the Registered Nurse for review.
- Maintains appointment calendars and tracking systems to ensure timely completion of annual examinations, specialty consultations, diagnostic testing, laboratory services, and physician recommendations.
- Monitors outstanding physician recommendations and reports overdue appointments, missing documentation, or barriers to obtaining healthcare services to the Registered Nurse.
Documentation and Records Management
- Maintains medical records by organizing, scanning, uploading, filing, and tracking healthcare documentation to ensure records are complete, current, and readily available for regulatory review.
- Reviews medical documentation for completeness and reports missing physician orders, prescriptions, referrals, laboratory reports, consultation reports, or visit summaries to the Registered Nurse for follow-up.
- Utilizes electronic health records, agency databases, scheduling systems, and other approved technology platforms in accordance with agency policy.
- Maintains confidentiality of all protected health information (PHI) and agency records in accordance with HIPAA, OPWDD regulations, and agency policy.
Medication and Supply Coordination
- Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, coordinates prescription refills, medication renewals, prior authorizations, pharmacy communications, and medication deliveries.
- Maintains an adequate 7- to 10-day supply of routine medications by monitoring medication inventory and coordinating timely refills with the pharmacy. Immediately reports medication shortages, delays, discrepancies, or unavailable medications to the Registered Nurse.
- Coordinates the receipt and reconciliation of medications, maintains inventories of medical supplies necessary to support individual healthcare needs, and reports medication discrepancies, damaged medications, or delivery concerns to the Registered Nurse.
Communication and Professional Responsibilities
- Maintains professional communication with physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, diagnostic centers, Residential Services, and members of the interdisciplinary team while representing the agency in a professional manner.
- Provides regular updates to the Registered Nurse regarding healthcare coordination activities, physician recommendations, medication concerns, outstanding follow-up items, barriers to care, and communicates urgent medical concerns requiring immediate nursing intervention.
- Attends required in-service training, staff meetings, departmental meetings, and mandatory education programs. Maintains all required certifications applicable to the position.
- As a mandated reporter, reports incidents, injuries, changes in an individual's condition, and concerns in accordance with agency policy and applicable federal and state regulations.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the Registered Nurse, Nurse Supervisor, Director of Nursing, or Nursing Leadership.
III. POSITION REQUIREMENTS
A. Qualifications
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities preferred.
- Knowledge of the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) regulations and person-centered practices preferred.
- Approved Medication Administration Personnel (AMAP) certification preferred or obtained within the timeframe established by the agency.
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and electronic health record systems.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling protected health information and sensitive medical records.
- Valid New York State Driver License with an acceptable driving record preferred.
- Ability to travel between agency locations as required.
- Performs all job responsibilities in compliance with agency policies, HIPAA regulations, OPWDD requirements, corporate compliance standards, mandatory reporting requirements, and all applicable federal and state laws.
B. Essential Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, and climb stairs for extended periods while performing assigned duties.
- Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to safely assist individuals during medical appointments and transportation activities when required.
- Ability to travel independently between agency locations, medical offices, hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, and community providers.
- Manual dexterity sufficient to operate computers, scanners, copiers, telephones, and other office equipment.
- Ability to respond appropriately during emergencies while maintaining the safety of individuals receiving services.
IV. SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY
The Medical Liaison functions as a non-clinical healthcare coordination and administrative support position within the Nursing Department under the direction and supervision of the Registered Nurse.
The Medical Liaison does not independently:
- Perform nursing assessments.
- Interpret physician orders.
- Develop or modify nursing care plans.
- Make independent clinical decisions.
· Administer medications unless separately certified and authorized as an Approved Medication Administration Personnel (AMAP).
- Delegate nursing responsibilities.
- Perform duties requiring professional nursing judgment.
All clinical concerns, medication discrepancies, changes in an individual's condition, and physician recommendations requiring clinical interpretation shall be referred immediately to the Registered Nurse.
Pay: From $19.75 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
Ability to Commute:
- Niagara Falls, NY (Required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
