Company Overview
The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) oversees the coordination of services for individuals with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, Prader-Willi syndrome, and other neurological conditions.
As the state’s second-largest agency, OPWDD employs over 20,000 dedicated professionals. Opportunities are available statewide across our regional offices, state facilities, and community-based locations.
We maintain ongoing recruitment efforts for direct support roles and regularly seek qualified nurses, physicians, dentists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, dietitians, occupational therapists, and other clinical professionals. Additionally, we offer numerous positions in administration, clerical support, health information management, and facility maintenance and operations.
Job Overview
This role involves monitoring and managing the medical and health needs of individuals under your care.
Key Responsibilities:
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Conduct weekly visits to assigned homes to provide nursing oversight and thorough reviews.
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Coordinate and communicate with primary care providers, specialists, and clinical staff as needed.
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Advocate for the healthcare needs of individuals.
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Maintain regular communication with medical liaisons or their designees.
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Support residential staff in delivering health services.
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Use appropriate reporting channels to address issues involving individuals or staff.
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Document and follow up on care after emergency room or hospital visits.
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Review and initial medical documents such as lab reports, x-rays, and consult notes; follow up with practitioners when necessary.
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Complete home visit documentation within required timelines.
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Adhere to pressure wound policies and documentation standards.
Support to Residential/Day Hab Staff:
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Respond promptly to emergency requests, including those outside your caseload.
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Perform nursing assessments and complete related documentation (e.g., RN notes, nursing logs) accurately and timely.
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Deliver individualized nursing interventions.
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Address staff questions regarding specific medical or nursing issues.
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Ensure Plans of Nursing Services (PONS) are current, signed, and properly filed digitally.
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Provide health-related training and consultations to day program, IES, and residential staff.
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Annually review each individual’s medical section of their Individual Service Plan (ISP) and conduct medication audits for each home in your caseload.
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Stay informed on changes to the medical sections of ISPs.
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Obtain informed consent for medications following BDDSOO Policy.
Nursing Delegated Procedures & Medication Administration:
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Conduct initial medication certification and annual clinical evaluations for Direct Support Associates (DSAs) on delegated nursing tasks.
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Provide training on new or updated medications and policies as needed.
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Supply certification and recertification information promptly to CMHN, NA, and NPC databases.
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Complete documentation and remediation related to medication errors.
Clinical Supervision of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs):
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Provide nursing supervision and conduct performance evaluations related to individual-specific nursing procedures.
Professional Development & Department Contributions:
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Attend Nursing Discipline meetings and complete mandatory DDSO training online, along with discipline-specific training opportunities.
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Identify areas for personal and nursing department improvements and contribute to developing action plans.
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Participate in special projects and assignments as required.
Minimum Qualifications:
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Must hold a current Registered Nurse (RN) license and registration in New York State.
Additional Information:
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This position is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS), allowing non-competitive appointments without an exam, provided minimum qualifications are met.
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Employees hired under NY HELPS are expected to convert to permanent competitive status within one year, without needing to take an exam.
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Starting salary reflects an increased hiring rate and geographic pay differential, totaling $85,138 (base salary plus increased hiring and geographic differential).
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Current New York State employees in a permanent competitive title may transfer into this role as permanent competitive employees.
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Position assignments will follow applicable Memorandums of Understanding between PEF and local DDSOs.
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Preference is given to OPWDD employees impacted by facility closures—please indicate if applicable on your resume.
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All employees must maintain eligibility for full participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs for continued employment.
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Employees on long-term leave may apply but must be able to return to work within 14 days and perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation requests can be made via the Reasonable Accommodation Unit (518-486-7222 or accommodationrequests@opwdd.ny.gov).
Benefits:
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Participation in U.S. Savings Bond and College Savings Plan programs.
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Voluntary pre-tax savings options including Health Care Spending and Dependent Care Advantage Accounts.
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Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal support and referrals.
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Life and disability insurance coverage.
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Enrollment in New York State Deferred Compensation Plan for tax-deferred retirement savings.
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Paid time off including:
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13 paid holidays annually
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13 days of vacation leave initially
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5 days of personal leave yearly
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13 days of sick leave annually (PEF/CSEA), which can carry over
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Up to 3 days of professional leave for development activities each year
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Comprehensive health insurance options for employees and dependents, including family dental and vision plans at no extra cost.