DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
4000 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85012

This position is an Internship DOW Skillbridge position.

The Internship can be up to 6 months, depending on Service Member's availability.

Upon successful completion of the internship, if selected for full time employment the pay range will be: $67,000.00 to $78,000.00

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES), we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals that are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit des.az.gov; or click on the link here to view ‘Our DES’ video. Come join the DES Team!

The Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a District Nurse - SkillBridge Intern. DDD provides individuals with developmental disabilities and their families with services and supports that are flexible, high-quality, and member-driven. These services provide individuals with opportunities to exercise their rights and responsibilities of independent decision-making and engagement in the community. District Nurses will serve our community by supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, conducting comprehensive assessments, and collaborating with external agencies to ensure appropriate services are in place. This is a field-based role, requiring direct engagement with members in various community settings.

Applicants for this position cannot be licensed or certified by the DDD Office of Licensing Certification and Regulation, cannot have a principal interest in or have a spouse or close family with principal interest in a DDD Qualified Vendor Agreement, and cannot be employed or subcontracted by a DDD Qualified Vendor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
● Coordinates and monitors physical health for skilled nursing service needs; placing vendor calls; completing nursing referrals; assists with receiving medical equipment; coordinating skilled nursing services; following hospitalizations and emergency department visits; collaborating with interdisciplinary teams for discharge planning.
● Conducts visits in-person (interstate travel is required) to develop relationships and familiarize with family dynamics/needs/supports; makes appropriate referrals to community agencies; participates in multidisciplinary planning meetings to determine and identify appropriate services per policies and guidelines established by DDD’s contract with AHCCCS.
● Conducts comprehensive assessments of physical, behavioral, & long-term care needs; completes nursing assessments, HNAT, HAN, SNF acuity level determinations, completes vendor calls and assigns home health nursing services, addresses and documents any changes in skilled needs; collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to ensure needs are met in the least restrictive environment; evaluates Social Determinants of Healthsuch as social and economic factors, environmental factors, and policies and programs.
● Refers to appropriate resources; collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and contracted partners; advocates for members’ rights and needs; assigns authorizations to appropriate, selected providers; assists in conflict resolution between members, families, and contracted providers.
● Documents comprehensive progress notes to include any improvements or declining health statuses; maintains electronic case management records of case-specific documentation; assigns and authorizes services; supports individualized needs based on family dynamics, natural support systems, and environmental factors; completes special projects.

Knowledge in:
●Managed Care, Medicaid & Medicare concepts.
●Care management concepts, principles, and strategies.
●Nursing theories and practices related to individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and behavioral health conditions.
●Person-centered planning strategies.
●Current Medicaid service delivery system.

Skills In:
●Using computer software (e.g., Google Suites including Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Forms; Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and other databases, etc.).
●Excellent oral and written communication.
●Comprehensive nursing assessment & needs analysis.
●Analytical and clinical skills.
●Developing, analyzing, and implementing health treatment plans.

Ability to:
●Work independently.
●Think critically and problem-solve.
●Observe and assess the health status and needs of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and behavioral health conditions.
●Interpret and apply DDD Policies and Procedures.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
● Two years of experience working as a registered nurse with individuals with disabilities, in home health, hospice, or long-term care. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university preferred. ACM or CCM certification preferred.

● If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver's license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver's license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to Driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operated a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) (R2-10-201.11).
● Successfully pass background and reference check; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the Agency's ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
● Employee shall have a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes 41-1968 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults.
● Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Department of Child Safety Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459.
● All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
● Possession of a current license to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Arizona.

Not Eligible - This is a SkillBridge Internship position.

Not Eligible - This is a SkillBridge Internship position.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Joseph Deserio at 480-589-4222 or JDeserio@azdes.gov.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting 480-589-4222 or JDeserio@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.