Registered Nurse (RN) - HOST
DESC
Summary
Homeless Outreach Stabilization and Transition (HOST) is a multi-disciplinary team serving homeless adults experiencing severe and persistent mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and substance use dependency. The HOST RN functions as part of the larger HOST team to provide integrated behavioral healthcare services to clients in need of psychiatric care, substance use dependency support, medication coordination/management, medical/hospital advocacy needs, wound care, and other nursing needs. Services are provided on the streets, in encampments, in shelters, in DESC's Permanent Supportive Housing, and other service centers as assigned.
Job description
Job Definition
Homeless Outreach Stabilization and Transition (HOST) is a multi-disciplinary team serving homeless adults experiencing severe and persistent mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and substance use dependency. The HOST RN functions as part of the larger HOST team to provide integrated behavioral healthcare services to clients in need of psychiatric care, substance use dependency support, medication coordination/management, medical/hospital advocacy needs, wound care, and other nursing needs. Services are provided on the streets, in encampments, in shelters, in DESC's Permanent Supportive Housing, and other service centers as assigned.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Case Management & Social Support
- Participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing on-going case management services to homeless and formerly homeless adults.
- Assess clients for a range of health care needs and facilitate linkage to urgent, primary, and specialty health services.
- Advocate for clients' access to community resources and services, ensuring needs are met and rights maintained.
- Provide outreach and engagement on the streets, shelters, encampments, and other community areas.
- Participate in verbal de-escalation and physical interventions in emergent situations.
- Build trusting relationships with clients using trauma informed care, harm reduction, and motivational interviewing.
- Coordinate services closely with mental health program supervisors, case management staff, and chemical dependency treatment staff.
Medication, Medical Services, and Clinical Skills
- Coordinate medical support and medication services by collaborating with pharmacies, hospitals, outside providers, and facilities.
- Provide individualized medication management services and education, and ongoing assessment of mental status.
- Reconcile medication and medical records with hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, and primary care facilities, including collecting Release of Information requests.
- Ensure client and clinical spaces are clean, stocked, and medical equipment is in working order.
- Perform client assessments on a walk-in and as-needed basis in the clinic on a rotating weekly schedule.
- Administer oral medication, injections (anti-psychotic and insulin), provide wound care, foot care, lice, and scabies treatment within RN scope of practice.
- Perform initial intake (medical, behavioral, and substance use disorder history) and determine interest in Buprenorphine or intramuscular naltrexone.
- Gather vital signs and required lab work, such as pregnancy tests and urine toxicology screens; counsel clients on test results.
- Counsel clients about medication assisted treatment (MAT) options and collaborate to set treatment goals for opioid use disorder.
- Provide intervention in the case of overdose, administer naloxone, and link to addiction treatment and primary care.
- Teach clients about safer substance use, overdose prevention, and overdose reversal.
- Coordinate communication between care teams, outpatient case management, nursing care teams, and providers.
- Complete assessment and plan of care documentation in a timely manner.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
- Participate in required psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings, and in-service trainings.
- Participate in clinical reviews and case conferences for clients on caseload.
- Comply with clinical accountability policies and procedures; maintain timely and complete clinical records.
- Participate in quality assurance reviews when assigned.
- Comply with applicable program research and evaluation procedures.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Registered Nurse, licensed in the State of Washington, in good standing
- If licensed under the Nurse Licensure Compact Multistate License (NLC MSL), compliance with RCW 71.12.740 and NLC MSL Rule 402.2 is a condition of employment
- Be able to pass a Washington State Criminal background check
- A Valid Washington State Driver's License is required
- Candidates must be able to independently transport themselves throughout King County on every working day
- Knowledge of Harm Reduction strategies and trauma informed care
- Experience working with homeless, mentally ill and/or substance abusing population
- Knowledge of psychiatric medications, side effects and methods of administration
- Interest or experience in working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health programs
- Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behavior
- Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from diverse backgrounds
- Prefer Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
- Experience in community health, behavioral health, case management, and/or resource referral
- Knowledge and skill in working with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders; with homeless or formerly homeless individuals; and crisis intervention and stabilization
- Familiarity with Recovery Principles, Crisis Intervention and Stabilization, Integrated Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders, Intensive Case Management, Illness Management, and relevant Evidenced based/Emerging best practices
- Ability to be positive in empathetic responses to all persons
- Ability to accept feedback and work in a highly collaborative and sometimes stressful environment
Benefits
- Dental Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Long-term Disability Insurance
- Medical Insurance (no premiums)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- ORCA Card Subsidy
- Paid Time Off (34 days)
- Retirement Plan
- Union Representation (SEIU 1199NW)
Company overview
DESC is a mental health care organization dedicated to providing comprehensive behavioral health services to individuals and communities. As a specialized healthcare provider in the mental health sector, DESC focuses on delivering evidence-based therapeutic interventions, counseling services, and support programs for various mental health conditions. The organization operates with a patient-centered approach, emphasizing personalized care plans that address the unique needs of each individual. DESC's services likely encompass outpatient counseling, crisis intervention, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and community-based support programs. The organization plays a crucial role in addressing mental health disparities and improving access to quality mental healthcare services. With a commitment to clinical excellence and compassionate care, DESC contributes to the broader mental health ecosystem by providing essential services that promote psychological well-being, recovery, and improved quality of life for those facing mental health challenges.