Community Health Nurse

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Community Health Outreach Manager, and the Medical Director, the Community Health RN works in an integrated manner with the Medical Department and the Community Health Outreach Department to participate in a broad range of clinical and educational activities. The Community Health RN will lead efforts to conduct integrated HIV prevention/testing, education and engagement in care for the population serviced. It will also include enrolling eligible individuals in the PrEP/PEP program, test for Hep C with appropriate referral for treatment; and integrate and oversee STI awareness, risk assessment, counseling, and testing. The position will also implement effects to monitor progress on achieving the goals.

The Community Health RN will also act as a ROAM Nurse. The ROAM nurse provides coordination of health care services such as providing point of care testing on the ROAM bus to include: rapid HIV, rapid Hep C, lipids, hemoglobin, blood sugar, perform health screenings at various public events according to health guidelines, provide referrals, and generally assists the clinic providers in meeting the needs of the community. The ROAM nurse provides patient education according to standardized protocols, acts as a patient advocate, performs activities related to disease prevention and health promotion. All of their data is documented and reviewed by the Community Health Outreach Program Manager.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The duties of the Community Health RN may include, but may not be limited to the following:

HIV/STI Prevention:

1. Coordinate HIV/HepC/STI prevention and related services for SIHC patients and youth in the community.
2. Implement, recruit, and facilitate intervention programs.
3. Network and coordinate programs with other agencies and schools in the community that serve youth at risk and/or with high HIV rate.
4. Provide case management, including referrals, patient navigation and linkage to care.
5. Performs HIV/Hep C/STI risk assessments and testing.
6. Screen patients for eligibility for PrEP and PEP.
7. Submits counseling and testing data to Community Health Outreach Manager.

COVID-19

1. Educate on the need to keep updated on COVID-19 immunizations to include making sure they get the Bivalent booster.
2. Plan and conduct events to increase the vaccination rate of the community.
3. Enter vaccination information into the state immunization registry.

Registered Nurse

1. Acts as a bridge between the Indian families and health services available in the clinic and explains the role of the clinic to the community.
2. Acts within the scope of a registered nurse: Provides assessment, accurately takes and records vital signs, height, and weight when and performs point of care testing.
3. Performs walk-in triage of patients to assess whether they can be counseled on self-treatment, need referral to clinic or referral to UC/ER.
4. Increase medical compliance by offering services on the ROAM unit vs the clinic to make it easier for the patient to complete..
5. Educate patients on their specific disease processes, prevention of disease, and routine age-appropriate health screenings.
6. Performs health screenings at various public events according to health guidelines.
7. Assists the patient in recognizing environmental and home safety factors. Attends staff meetings, participates in clinic continuing education programs and attends training courses, as requested.
8. As part of a multi-disciplinary team, works closely with other team members in a collaborative and collegial environment to ensure good communication and optimal patient outcomes (e.g. clinical staff, front office staff, referrals staff, pharmacy, back office, health records, information technology, behavior health staff, and quality management.
9. Uses the electronic health record, maximizing use for the purposes of maintaining a comprehensive medical record, including documentation of all patient interactions; and also utilizes the EHR for access to resources as needed for patient care. Documents all patient interactions within 48 hrs.
10. May facilitate telehealth services to clients assisting physicians when appropriate.
11. Observe and abide by HIPAA and the HIV Confidentiality Law requirements.
12. Provides referrals, and generally assists the clinic providers in meeting the needs of the community.
13. Acts as a patient advocate.
14. Performs activities related to disease prevention and health promotion.
15. Knowledgeable regarding public health matters and preventive medicine.
16. Ability to work flexible schedule may be required based on need.
17. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience: Must possess a current California Registered Nurse license. Must have minimum of one year experience in an ambulatory care environment. Must have knowledge and understanding of HIPAA in the ambulatory care setting, with absolute ability to maintain confidentiality according to standards. Must possess current BLS and will be required to obtain ACLS and PALS within 8 weeks of hire date. Must be at least 18 years old.

Licenses/Certifications: A valid California Registered Nurse License si required.

A valid California driver’s license required with application submission and must be maintained throughout employment. Current certifications and/or licenses appropriate to the positions required education and profession.

Character: Applicants must have a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness. Must be responsible and able to exercise good judgment, accept administrative supervision, pay attention to detail, follow instructions, including the ability to interact effectively and communicate with people in a professional and courteous manner. Must be highly confidential and work as a team with other staff. Applicant should be sensitive to client’s needs.

Skills: Strong team building, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective peer relationships with coworkers within the Department, clinic-wide, and the public. Must be able to express ideas clearly, concisely, address audiences effectively, and exercise balanced judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions. Willing to be part of a team and cooperate in accomplishing department goals and objectives. Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, take initiative, be proactive, and function in a rapidly changing environment. Ability to work with people of all social and ethnic backgrounds and to resolve conflicts, negotiates situations, and facilitate consensus.

Physical and Personal Requirements: Normal clinic/office environment. Sit or stand for long periods of time. Reach, bend, climb, stoop, lift up to 25 lbs. repetitive hand movement; use and view PC. Reliable transportation and car insurance as required by the state. Travel as needed.

Compliance: Each employee plays a key role in creating a compliance culture at SIHC. Employees are expected to learn and comply with all SIHC policies and procedures. One must have the ability to understand the implications and complexities of all compliance policies. Participation in all compliance training is mandatory, and generally have a heightened awareness of policies and regulations that are specific to one’s department and position. All SIHC employees are expected to report violations or suspected violations of compliance policies or regulations.

Other: Applicants must successfully pass a pre-screening tuberculin skin test or x-ray and a blood/urine drug screening test. Health must be adequate to perform all duties of the position. Applicant must complete SIHC Application and Authorization Form, both must be submitted to Human Resources prior to the close date indicated.