Public Health/MAT Nurse
Description
The Public Health/MAT Nurse (RN) provides nursing services to two key areas at Fenway Health: patients enrolled in Fenway Health’s Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and clinical public health prevention programs, primarily Access: Drug User Health’s low barrier walk-in medical clinic. The RN will use a harm reduction and trauma-informed approach to provide specialized nursing support to people who use drugs, men who have sex with men, transgender individuals and their partners. The Public Health/MAT RN will also provide administrative support for other clinical activities such as patient walk-in triage, health navigation, risk reduction counseling, supply inventory, and serve as a resource for program staff.
Duties:
Provides direct patient care:
- Provide patients with accessible care that operates within the harm reduction framework
- Administers comprehensive evaluation of patient telephone callers and walk-in patients, develops care plan, consults with other disciplines as needed, and implements plan including referrals
- Complies with the MDPH BSAS Office-Based Opioid Treatment Program Policies and Protocols
- Provides episodic care as appropriate to the target populations with an emphasis on wound care, HIV and HCV prevention, and behavioral issues (i.e. medication compliance, safe sex) and provide follow-up as indicated.
- Performs MAT assessment and intake, and obtains medical, mental health, and social history
- Guides patients through medication inductions, including assessment of signs/symptoms of opioid withdrawal using the COW (Clinical Opioid Withdrawal) scale
- Provides follow-up care via MAT nursing visits, either onsite or remotely as indicated, and serves as primary point of contact for patients throughout treatment
- Assists with patient care under the direction of appropriate medical provider and/or under nursing scope of practice
- Administers medications and vaccinations, (PO, IM, SC, ID), including extended-release injections for SUD treatment (Vivitrol, Sublocade), ensuring full compliance with DEA regulations of storing and administering controlled substances in clinic
- Checks supplies for nursing patient encounters and notifies manager or supply ordering designee if additional stock needed
- Assists with preventative medicine efforts (e.g.: flu, STD, vital sign checks, occupational health)
- Provides coverage across other public health sites in Cambridge and Boston
Health Navigation
- Delivers personalized services to our patients to improve their care using careful assessment, planning, coordination and delivery of care, and outcome evaluation of the plan
- Coordinates follow-up care for acutely ill patients including primary care and specialty visits including HCV treatment, substance use services, PrEP, nPEP, and behavioral health.
- Coordinates preventative services for defined population including education, vaccinations, monitoring and arranging for lab tests and referrals
- Communicates with pharmacies and insurance companies as needed to ensure patients can access their treatment, and helps troubleshoot issues or problems related to MAT-specific medications
Maintains comprehensive knowledge of medical issues
- Maintains comprehensive knowledge of medical developments in preventing and treating HIV/AIDS and HCV infection, pain management, health issues related to homelessness and injection drug use, as well as behavioral issues (i.e. medication compliance, safe sex, social and behavioral effects of drug use) as well as other medical conditions appropriate.
- Learn and maintain knowledge regarding harm reduction, and cultural competency regarding drug use.
- Completes continuing education requirements per the Massachusetts Board of Nursing regulations
- Obtains ACRN or other certifications related to essential job functions within 2 years of hire
- Maintains up-to-date knowledge of SUD management, including attendance and completion of OBAT ECHO 12-part series
Provides Health Education
- Provides community health education
- Conducts community and street outreach
- Provides patient education related to their medical and psychosocial needs
- Maintains knowledge of community resources
- Assists in training other employees in the public health and medical department including orientation of new staff, volunteers, and students
- Trains patients, families and others on the administration of Narcan/naloxone
Requirements
- ASN/BSN/MSN and current licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Familiarity with the LGBTQIA+ community, people living with HIV/AIDS (e.g., ANAC certification), and People Who Use Drugs (PWUD)
- Commitment to community and public health
- Current CPR Certification
- BLS certification
- Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with colleagues, patients, clients and vendors across the spectrum of diversity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, national origin and immigrant status, religious or spiritual identity, disability (physical, mental, emotional and developmental), veteran status, and/or limited English proficiency.
- Willingness to contribute towards Fenway’s efforts in becoming an anti-racist organization and promoting a culture dedicated to ongoing development in service of humility, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, where differences are acknowledged and valued.
Preferred qualifications:
- 2 or more years’ experience in an ambulatory care setting preferred, specifically working with people who use or inject drugs
- Completion of Certified Addiction Registered Nurse (CARN) certification requirements, or commitment to achieve this certification within first year
- Experience with Epic
- Bilingual in English/Spanish
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
OSHA Category 1: involves exposure to blood, body fluids, tissues, and other potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment
Physical Requirements:
- Regularly required: sitting; using hands to manipulate objects/tools/controls; reaching with hands and arms; talking; hearing
- Frequently required: lifting and/or moving up to 10 lbs.
- Occasional required: lifting and/or moving up to 25 lbs.
- Vision abilities required: close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision depth perception, ability to adjust focus
We offer competitive salaries, and for those who qualify, an excellent benefits package; including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, and a retirement plan with employer match. We also provide 12 paid holidays, paid vacation, and more. LGBTQIA+ identified persons, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), and individuals from other historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Highly experienced individuals may be compensated at a higher rate.