Job Type

Description

Shift: Variable

Shift Differential: $1.00 per hour for night shifts, $0.50 per hour for swing shifts, in addition to hourly wage

Other Benefits: 403(b), EAP, Sick & Safe Time 

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 2,000 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 a multi-disciplinary team responsible for providing on-going 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. This position will share responsibility for coordinating the medication services for the team. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Psychiatric Care & Medication Services:

• Under the guidance and direction of the Nursing Supervisor, coordinate medical aspects of care, including monitoring and administration of medications in a manner that meets the unique needs of clients.
• Provide education to clients regarding their treatment, medical and mental health condition.
• Develop and engage clients in health promotion activities such as health and wellness clinics, smoking cessation efforts, and client education programs for disease prevention.
• On-going assessment of mental status and the positive impact and side effects of current treatment.
• Provide specialized training and consultation to other staff members on medical/mental health 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 for team clients.
• Comply with 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.

Clinical and 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 treatment services for consumers served by the mental health program.
• Coordinate services closely with mental health program supervisors and case management staff.

Other:

• Participate in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings and in-service trainings; participate in clinical reviews and case conferences for clients on caseload.
• Comply with the agency's clinical and general policies and procedures; maintain current and complete clinical records; participate in quality assurance review activity as requested.
• Comply with applicable program research and evaluation procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit, drive, walk, stand, communicate with other employees and clients, is required to lift and carry items weighing up to 10 pounds and to operate computer hardware systems. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Considerable stress may occur. Employee will be working both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace, and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Registered Nurse, licensed in the State of Washington.
• Knowledge of psychiatric medications, side effects and methods of administration
• Interest or experience in working with adults who are experiencing or who have experienced homelessness and are disabled by mental illness and/or co-occurring substance abuse disorders.
• Flexibility, willingness to adapt to changing circumstances, accept new responsibilities and work cooperatively with team members to accomplish goals of program
• Able to prioritize multiple responsibilities, work independently and exercise professional judgment.
• Interest in or experience working with participants who are difficult to engage and refer to traditional programs.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from various backgrounds
• Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behavior.
• Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for clients.
• Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Respect for participant rights and personal preferences in treatment are essential. Clear understanding and respect for the importance of maintaining participant confidentiality.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bi-lingual in Spanish/English.
• Bachelor's of Science in Nursing.
• Valid Washington State Driver's License, reliable vehicle and insurable driving record.

Salary Description