Part-Time Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician's Assistant (PA) - ORCA Center, Night Shift

Description

Schedule: Three (3) 12-hour shifts with at least a 30-minute lunch break, 7:00 pm – 7:30 am, over a two-week period.

Supervised by: ORCA Center Senior Medical Lead Physician

Insurance Benefits: Medical, Dental, Life, Long-term Disability

Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year, pro-rated for part-time staff), Retirement Plan

Union Representation: This position is a part of a union and is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

JOB OVERVIEW:

This role will provide direct clinical care within the DESC Opioid Recovery and Care Access (ORCA) Center. The ORCA Center is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, including holidays. It will offer four overlapping types of services, delivered by a team of prescribers, nurses, medical assistants and peer specialists, with operational leadership support:

• Care to individuals in stable condition who have experienced an opioid overdose, brought to the ORCA Center by first responders or transferred from local emergency departments.
• Rapid initiation of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), including buprenorphine (sublingual and long-acting injectable) and methadone (under the “72-hour rule”, or Code of Federal regulations Title 21 §1306.07 (b)), for people with opioid use disorder (OUD), regardless of whether an opioid overdose has recently occurred.
• Harm reduction counseling and OUD-related physical and behavioral health services, such as hepatitis C testing and treatment and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.
• Follow-up care, at the ORCA Center or at times field-based, with individuals who have started MOUD to ensure support in MOUD continuation.

This is a clinical role without administrative or supervisory duties.

About DESC:

DESC is a multi-service agency that specializes in providing permanent supportive housing, emergency shelter, residential crisis services, and comprehensive behavioral health outpatient services for people with long-time experiences of homelessness and serious behavioral health disabilities. We utilize harm reduction, trauma informed care, and housing first practices, striving to deliver high-quality, outcomes-oriented, flexible services that accommodate consumers’ unique needs. The ORCA Center builds upon DESC’s successful and innovative clinic- and field-based outpatient OUD treatment team and will collaborate closely with this team.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical Care

• Provide evidence-based treatment for OUD, including initiation and management of buprenorphine (sublingual and long-acting injectable) and, according to DESC protocols, methadone initiation.
• Conduct harm reduction counseling and provide services related to infectious diseases such as syphilis, hepatitis C, and HIV (including PrEP).
• Manage and treat conditions commonly seen in individuals with OUD, such as skin and soft tissue infections and linkage to mental health care.
• Perform initial health assessments and follow-up visits for individuals starting or continuing MOUD.
• Educate patients on health-related topics, treatment plans, and harm reduction strategies.
• Document clinical care in accordance with DESC and regulatory standards.

Care Coordination

• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of clinicians, peer specialists, and social workers to provide holistic care.
• Ensure continuity of care for individuals transitioning between ORCA Center services and other health care providers.

Professional Development

• Stay updated on best practices in addiction medicine and harm reduction through continuing education.
• Participate in in-service training and case discussions to maintain high clinical standards.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensed as a Nurse Practitioner (Family or Adult NP) or Physician Assistant in the State of Washington.
• Registration with the Drug Enforcement Agency.
• Experience or training in addiction medicine and harm reduction.
• Strong commitment to serving individuals with complex needs, including homelessness and co-occurring behavioral health conditions.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care, harm reduction principles, and equity frameworks.
• Ability to remain open and receptive to constructive feedback.
• Strong ability to approach those with differing opinions with curiosity & active listening.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATI