Harm Reduction & Outreach Registered Nurse

Harm Reduction & Outreach RN

The RN is a core member of our Harm Reduction Mobile Health team that provides overdose prevention services, wound care, STI testing and treatment, and low-threshold buprenorphine treatment to people actively using drugs that may not engage in care otherwise. Using a Harm Reduction framework, the RN will conduct street outreach and provide care in parks and areas of active use throughout Harlem and the Bronx and provide in-office services for clients referred from other Harlem United programs.

The RN’s schedule will consist of 3 active field days, 1 office day and 1 administrative day. Client volume is variable; however, the maximum number of clients engaged for direct clinical services by the RN is approximately 8-12 per day, with an average of 6 clients on a daily basis. Quality of engagement over quantity is our goal. This position supports the efforts of the Harm Reduction Program Director/NP and the Associate Vice President of Integrated Harm Reduction

Using a trauma informed and Harm Reduction approach, the RN is comfortable providing wound care, discussing and supporting clients with ongoing medication management, outreach for behavioral health needs, and collaborating with patient navigators for referrals to primary care or higher level of services.

Qualifications:

• Registered Nurse

Employment Status: Full-time

(Note: also possibility for part-time if needed, this can be discussed during interviews)

Responsibilities:

• Work in partnership with the Program Director/NP, Patient Navigators, and Peers to engage people who use drugs and educate about MOUD options.
• Conduct street-based outreach three days/week.
• Educate clients about Buprenorphine and support medication management during Assessment and Reassessment visits with clients both in the field and in office.
• Educate on and review comfort medications during inductions.
• Collaborate with the Program Director/NP on client treatment plans and dosing changes as appropriate. Queue medications for PC as appropriate.
• Manage pharmacy issues as clinically necessary.
• Provide Harm Reduction Counseling on safer use practices, overdose prevention strategies and naloxone use.
• Collaborate with Testing Services on positive STI results and initiate treatment in collaboration with the Program Director/NP.
• Collaborate with Harm Reduction Patient Navigators to assist with care coordination, follow-up appointments, health education, health promotion, medication adherence, and behavioral support for clients.
• Provide wound care and education in the field and in office for people who use drugs.
• Administer vaccinations for Influenza, HPV, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B as available and indicated.
• Provide screening and referral for PrEP.
• Provide screening and treatment for PEP in collaboration with the Program Director/NP.
• Refer clients to other programs/services as appropriate, including Harlem United’s FQHC.
• Identify new areas of active drug use in the Bronx and Central/East Harlem for targeted outreach efforts and to promote and expand low threshold buprenorphine services to other affiliates.

Administrative

• Complete progress notes and assessments in the electronic health record within a timely manner.
• Complete all data entry for outreach and tracking requirements.
• Check the state drug monitoring database on client prescriptions.
• Complete documentation for vaccine administration.
• Participate in weekly team meetings and monthly all staff meetings.
• Participate in trainings for up to date on evidenced based treatments.
• Participate in quarterly outreach calls with other community based agencies

Educational requirements:

• Licensed as a professional Registered Nurse in New York
• Must have experience working with hard-to-reach populations such as people experiencing homelessness, people who inject drugs, and clients infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.
• A minimum of two (2) years community nursing experience.
• One (1) year of wound care and MAT experience is preferred.
• Experience in phlebotomy preferred, but not required.
• BLS Certificate

Special Skills and Knowledge:

In addition to the above-listed job responsibilities and educational requirements, the ideal candidate for this position possesses most or all the following:

• A deep understanding of and respect for the Harm Reduction model and its principals.
• Motivational Interviewing experience preferred; Ability to model skills for staff.
• Knowledge of the health disparities and needs of people who are experiencing homelessness, at risk and or living with HIV/HCV, people who use substances, including people who inject drugs.
• Ability to work well and communicate effectively with persons of varying educational, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated while also dedicated to an interdisciplinary team approach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.
• Strong organizational skills.