Wellness Community Nurse

The Arc of Central Alabama; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Arc of Central Alabama is seeking a licensed nurse (RN or LPN) to provide skilled nursing care within community-based residential and day settings for people with IDD. You will travel between homes and program sites to assess health, manage medications, and train direct-support staff on delegated health tasks.

This role emphasizes person-centered care, collaboration with families and physicians, and compliant clinical documentation across multiple community sites.

Qualifications

• Current RN or LPN license in Alabama.
• Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
• Current CPR certification.
• Must pass a statewide/criminal background check and drug screen.
• Valid Alabama driver's license and reliable transportation; daily travel required.

Responsibilities

• Travel to group homes and other sites to provide skilled nursing care.
• Administer, manage, and monitor medications; coordinate with pharmacies and physicians.
• Provide on-site training and supervision for direct-support staff.
• Monitor chronic and acute health conditions and respond to changes promptly.
• Complete accurate clinical documentation across sites.
• Coordinate with physicians, specialists, and hospitals.
• Educate individuals, families, and staff on health and preventive care.
• Identify and report critical incidents per policy and reporting requirements.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Maintain infection control and emergency preparedness.

Skills

Nursing knowledge

Clinical judgment

Field-based care

Staff training

HIPAA compliance

Education

Nursing degree

Tools

EHR software

Therap Health Tracking

Pharmacy systems

Job description

Description

The Wellness Community Nurse provides skilled nursing care and health oversight directly within community-based residential and day settings for people served with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Traveling between homes and program sites, this RN or LPN role conducts assessments, manages medications and treatments, and trains direct-support staff on delegated health tasks, ensuring each person's health needs are met where they live and participate in community life. This role is essential to delivering skilled, person-centered nursing care beyond a clinical office setting.

• Travel to group homes, day programs, and individuals' residences to conduct nursing assessments and deliver skilled care.


• Administer, manage, and monitor medications and treatments in the field, coordinating with pharmacies and physicians as needed.


• Provide on-site training and delegation oversight for direct-support staff performing delegated health tasks.


• Monitor chronic and acute health conditions in community settings and respond promptly to changes in status.


• Complete accurate, timely clinical documentation while working across multiple community sites.


• Coordinate with physicians, specialists, and hospitals regarding the health needs of people served in the community.


• Educate people served, families, and direct-support staff on health conditions and preventive care in home and community settings.


• Identify and report critical incidents and any suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation per IPMS and mandatory reporting requirements.


• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, often coordinating remotely due to community-based schedule.


• Maintain compliance with standard precautions, infection control, and emergency preparedness in varied community settings.

Description

The Wellness Community Nurse provides skilled nursing care and health oversight directly within community-based residential and day settings for people served with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Traveling between homes and program sites, this RN or LPN role conducts assessments, manages medications and treatments, and trains direct-support staff on delegated health tasks, ensuring each person's health needs are met where they live and participate in community life. This role is essential to delivering skilled, person-centered nursing care beyond a clinical office setting.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Travel to group homes, day programs, and individuals' residences to conduct nursing assessments and deliver skilled care.


• Administer, manage, and monitor medications and treatments in the field, coordinating with pharmacies and physicians as needed.


• Provide on-site training and delegation oversight for direct-support staff performing delegated health tasks.


• Monitor chronic and acute health conditions in community settings and respond promptly to changes in status.


• Complete accurate, timely clinical documentation while working across multiple community sites.


• Coordinate with physicians, specialists, and hospitals regarding the health needs of people served in the community.


• Educate people served, families, and direct-support staff on health conditions and preventive care in home and community settings.


• Identify and report critical incidents and any suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation per IPMS and mandatory reporting requirements.


• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, often coordinating remotely due to community-based schedule.


• Maintain compliance with standard precautions, infection control, and emergency preparedness in varied community settings.

Preferred IDD-Focused Responsibilities

• Deliver community-based nursing care through a person-centered lens that respects each individual's home, routines, and choices.


• Support health-related Personal Outcome Measures (CQL), including best possible health and community inclusion.


• Adapt health education and communication to each person's cognitive and communication needs within their home environment.


• Balance clinical safety with the least-restrictive, most-independent approach consistent with HCBS Settings expectations.


• Collaborate with QDDPs, behavior support staff, and families in the community setting as part of the person's care team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current, unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Alabama, in good standing with the Alabama Board of Nursing (Code of Alabama 1975, Sec. 34-21).


• Graduate of an accredited nursing program.


• Current CPR certification, or ability to obtain.


• Must pass a statewide/criminal background check confirming no convictions for any crime of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or any felony offense.


• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen and TB testing as required.


• Valid Alabama driver's license, reliable transportation, and acceptable driving record; significant daily travel required.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) or more years of community health, home health, or IDD nursing experience.


• Experience with mobile/field-based nursing documentation.


• Familiarity with ADMH Community Waiver Program and CARF standards.


• Comfort working independently across multiple community sites daily.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge of nursing practice standards, the Alabama Nurse Practice Act, and RN/LPN delegation rules.


• Knowledge of common health conditions in the IDD population and preventive care in community settings.


• Skill in mobile/field-based assessment, care planning, and documentation.


• Skill in training and supervising direct-care staff across multiple sites.


• Ability to plan and manage an efficient multi-site daily travel route.


• Ability to exercise independent clinical judgment while working remotely from clinical leadership.


• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and regulatory standards in home/community settings.

Physical & Essential Functions

• Extensive daily travel by vehicle between multiple community sites.


• Frequent standing, walking, and physical assistance with health emergencies (up to 50 lbs, team-lift beyond).


• Manual dexterity for clinical procedures and mobile documentation.


• Visual and auditory acuity for assessment and monitoring in varied home environments.


• Ability to respond quickly to medical emergencies in the field.

Work Environment

• Primarily community-based: group homes, day programs, and individuals' residences.


• Significant time spent traveling by vehicle throughout the service area.


• Exposure to bodily fluids, infectious conditions, and varied home environments (PPE provided).


• May require on-call availability and occasional evenings/weekends depending on assignment.

Requirements

Qualifications:

Unencumbered RN licensed by the Alabama Board of Nursing, Completion of the ABN-approved training to become an MAS Nurse in ADMH Community Programs, CPR certification, and CPI training.

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software And Hardware

• Phone, computer, office equipment


• Medical equipment including blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, syringes, needles, stethoscopes, and wound care supplies


• Electronic Health Records (EHR) software, Therap Health Tracking, and pharmacy systems


• Medication administration tools and assessment instruments


• Training materials for MAC worker supervision and community-based healthcare programs

Protective Equipment Required

• Some duties may require protective gloves, masks, scrubs, lab coats, or other protective medical attire


• May be required to wear additional protective gear when training MAC workers or conducting medical assessments

Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity Statement

The Arc of Central Alabama is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, marital status, or any other protected status under federal or state law. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage veterans and individuals from underrepresented communities to apply.