Tracking & Follow Up Nurse - Newborn Screening - WV Departments of Health, Health Facilities, and Human Services : Job Details

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Nature of Work

The Nurse III position for Newborn Screening (NBS) provides tracking and follow up on all infants with abnormal (NBS) results and ensures that all procedures are conducted in accordance with program guidelines and in compliance with national standards of care as recommended by the US Secretary's Advisory on Heritable Disorders and ensures the provision of treatment options. Provides guidance on following care algorithms for the 30+ disorders with abnormal and/or unacceptable results for primary care physicians and works with families to ensure compliance of treatment plans. Works with various specialties (endocrinology, pulmonology, hematology, immunology and cystic fibrosis) to arrange confirmatory labs and follow ups.

The incumbent receives and reviews daily abnormal and unacceptable laboratory NBS results from the state lab on 30+ disorders. Evaluates the results and establishes, determines, and/or facilitates patient care and treatment in conjunction with other healthcare professionals, primary care physician and physician specialists. Daily, addresses tasks in the Neometrics Action Manager. Incumbent consults with primary care physician, parents and/or hospital (if infant has not been discharged) and provides guidance for those newborns with abnormal results to request repeat testing and/or referral to appropriate specialists. Must act immediately on those infants with panic results. Consults with primary care physicians on situations when a parent cannot be located or is not compliant with repeat testing for those infants with panic results. Refers infants/family to Children With Special Health Care Needs (CHSCN) Program when identifies with a classic disorder for continued case management services. Documents efforts in case management data system. Follow up on cases to ensure that repeat testing has been performed by checking NBS results using the Neometrics database. Contact physicians who used an outside/reference laboratory to check repeat testing results.

Incumbent consults specialists (geneticist, endocrinologists, hematologists, pulmonologist and immunologists) to discuss care plans for infants needing to be referred. Arranges ordering of metabolic formulas for patients. Conducts literature and research searches on NBS for updated information. Provides information to the community and families on the importance of newborn screening and consequences of not following prescribed care. Incumbent attends monthly NBS meetings with the Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health (OMCFH) office director, NBS staff and State Lab participants.

Incumbent participates on the NBS Advisory Committee which meets every six months to discuss care algorithms, referrals, the need to add additional screens, development of and/or changes that need to be made in order to improve newborn screening processes. Provides recommendations and suggestions to administration, stakeholders, and/or advisory members based on procedures and processes that may have an impact on follow-up activities or patterns that may emerge, as well as address areas of concern within the program. Attends national and state meetings that focus on NBS case management and processes. Assist the nurse supervisor with staff training and hospitals on the collection of NBS blood spot to reduce unsatisfactory specimens being sent to the State Laboratory for testing. Collaborates with the State Laboratory to improve NBS efforts and processes.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Training: Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited four-year college or university and two years of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience as a registered professional nurse.

OR

Successful completion of an associate degree in nursing from an accredited college or university or a diploma nursing program and three years of experience as a registered professional nurse.

OR

Professional certification from a recognized national nursing certifying organization as a nurse or nurse practitioner in the area of assignment plus two years of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience as a registered professional nurse.

OR

Successful completion of an associate degree in nursing from an accredited college or university or a diploma nursing program; plus baccalaureate degree in the health sciences or behavioral sciences and two years of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience in nursing.

OR

Master's degree in nursing from an accredited four-year college or university.

Special Requirement: Current West Virginia license or temporary permit to practice as a registered professional nurse.