Registered Nurse (RN) - SAGE

Description

Days Off: Saturday, Sunday

Shift: Day 

Insurance Benefits: Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)

Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA),ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

About DESC:

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization working  to help people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use  disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well-being through comprehensive services, treatment, and  housing. Our vision is a community where no    person is abandoned, ignored, or experiencing homelessness.

As the region's leading  provider of services to multiply disabled adults who have experienced  chronic homelessness, DESC serves almost 3,000 people each day. Our integrated service model is designed to help people secure and maintain  appropriate, safe and affordable housing. DESC is recognized nationally  and regionally as an innovator in developing solutions to homelessness.

JOB DEFINITION:

The RN is a member of the SAGE (Support, Advocacy, Growth and Employment) multidisciplinary team consisting of nurses, psychiatric providers, case managers, substance use counselors, employment specialists and peer specialists responsible for providing the full range of case management services to homeless and formerly homeless, mentally ill adults. The Registered Nurse works primarily with clients in need of psychiatric and other medical attention, providing medication coordination/management, client education, health assessment and related services. Work is done under the supervision of the Clinic Nursing Supervisor.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Case Management & Social Support:

• Participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing some components of on-going case management services to homeless and formerly homeless adults.
• Assess clients for range of health care needs and facilitate linkage and on-going connection to relevant urgent, primary and specialty health services.
• Advocate for clients’ access to community resources and services, especially primary health care services, ensuring that clients’ needs are met, and rights maintained; consult and collaborate with community providers to ensure continuity of care.
• Participate in the planning, organizing, and facilitating of group psycho-educational treatment services for consumers served by the mental health program.
• Coordinate services closely with mental health program supervisors, case management staff, chemical dependency treatment staff and other DESC staff.
• Provide outreach to clients at various community sites providing homelessness services.

Medication Services:

• Under the guidance and direction of the Clinic Nursing Supervisor, coordinate medical aspects of medication services for clients.
• Provide individualized medication management services and education as needed, and ongoing assessment of mental status and the impacts of current treatment.
• Provide specialized training and consultation to other staff members on medical issues relating to clients and their care.
• Participate in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings and in-service trainings; participate in clinical reviews and case conferences as requested.
• Comply with relevant professional regulations, the agency’s clinical accountability policies and procedures; maintain current and complete clinical records; participate in quality assurance reviews.
• Comply with applicable program research and evaluation procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Registered Nurse licensed in the State of Washington.
• Experience in working with homeless, mentally ill and/or substance abusing population desired.
• Knowledge of psychiatric medications, side effects and methods of administration.
• Experience in working with clients who are difficult to engage 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.
• Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for clients.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands d