Registered Nurse-Harm Reduction Coordinator

HIRING MOTIVATED NURSES FOR SYRACUSE VAMC, SYRACUSE N.Y

The Harm Reduction Coordinator (HRC) RN is responsible for providing leadership, direction, organization, planning, implementation & evaluation of harm reduction efforts at the Syracuse VAMC, including but not limited to overdose education and naloxone distribution, syringe services program (SSP),and fentanyl test strip distribution initiatives. This individual has in depth knowledge and extensive experience in harm reduction, OEND,SSP, and fentanyl test strip program implementation.

The RN Harm Reduction Coordinator is a full-time position assigned to the Substance Treatment Services (STS) Team, aligned under Behavioral Health and based in the Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic (BHOC) in Syracuse, NY. The Syracuse VAMC is a large social/nursing service located in a highly complex (complexity level 1) VA facility, covering thirteen (13) counties and including seven (7) CBOCs. It provides diverse services to Veterans, families and caregivers, and is an affiliated tertiary care health care system. Services include multiple specialty care programs that are highly technical and complex across the continuum of care, including an SCI Center, Level II Polytrauma Center for VISN 2, and an Amputee Center of Care. Syracuse VAMC partners with three (3) Vet Centers and has a VA/DOD Sharing agreement with Fort Drum, located in our catchment area. The Syracuse VA Substance Treatment Services (STS) Program provides a full range of outpatient SUD services including ambulatory detoxification services through Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), various outpatient SUD services (Impaired Driver assessments, relapse prevention, Co-Occurring disorder etc.) and an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). The SUD Program serves Veterans in various stages of readiness and recovery who frequently have mental health co-morbidities and exhibit difficulty coping with psychosocial problems including frequent crises and lack of social support systems. The individual is skilled at staying abreast of evidence-based research and initiatives relevant to harm reduction, monitoring the literature and developing programs and processes that incorporate information obtained through the literature. The HRC RN will function at the highest level of clinical practice and licensure. The HRC RN will participate in quality improvement, process improvement, and/or research activities. The HRC RN will identify opportunities to partner and coordinate with community providers and agencies that Veterans may access where harm reduction services are being provided. Candidate may have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. HRC RN Duties:- Ensuring that harm reduction services include offers of linkage to treatment.- Developing a facility syringe services program (SSP) and system(s) to increase Veteran access.- Developing a facility fentanyl test strip distribution system.- Consulting with Offices of Chief Counsel to determine if any SSP services/supplies are legally prohibited.- Identifying community SSP referral options for Veterans who decline or are unable to receive VA SSP services.- Identifying sources to obtain harm reduction supplies.- Serving as a local point of contact to educate Veterans and staff about the SSP.- Collaborating with the national VA HIV/SSP Affinity Group to develop new SSP resources, including veteran and staff education resources, standardized harm reduction kits, and a standardized note template.- Collaborating with local and national community harm reduction organizations for program improvement.- Evaluating SSP outcomes, implementation strategies, and lessons learned for further program improvement. Sharing results with the HIV/SSP Affinity Group for nationwide dissemination.- Using dashboards to identify harm reduction opportunities.- Outreach to Veterans about HIV PrEP.- Partnering with key facility services, such as HUD-VASH, Infectious Disease Clinic, Addiction Recovery Treatment Services, Mental Health Service, Pharmacy Service, Nursing Service, and Logistics Service.- Supporting implementation of low barrier buprenorphine initiation and infectious disease testing.- Working with local colleagues to improve sexual and drug use history taking and linkage to appropriate harm reduction services.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 800-1630
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

There is no better time than now to join our nursing team! We're looking for bright, talented resourceful individuals with exceptional clinical and communication skills to function as a Registered Nurse (RN) at the Syracuse VA. Join us so you can be part of our team caring for our nations Hero's

Benefits:

• 26 paid vacation days/year
• 13 paid sick days/year
• 10 paid holidays
• Group Health and Life Insurance -you can carry into retirement
• Federal Pension
• Credit Union on site
• Shift differential (10%)
• Weekend differential (25%)
• Uniform Allowance
• Nationwide transfer opportunities
• Employee Gym onsite, Yoga classes offered
• Savings plan (5% match on 401K)

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $67,328.00 - $127,847.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Standard shift:

• Day shift

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Experience:

• Nursing: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• BLS Certification (Preferred)
• RN (Preferred)

Work Location: In person